the tissue surrounding the kernel of the nut contains a very acrid oil. Found planted 

 in the i.ake-shore areas of Kota Kota, Karonga and Fort Johnston. 



The kernels are eaten roasted or are pounded and added to side-dishes (Karonga). 

 Raw spirit, kacasu, is distilled from the fermented juice of the apple. The oil 

 extracted from the seeds has a preservative action e.g., on fish nets. The juices 

 from the fruit are used for tattooing (Tt). Young shoots and leaves are eaten in 

 Perak. 



Ref. 17; 19; 23; 26. 



*37. Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. (Bromel.) Pineapple. 



Nanasi, cinandsi (N). 



Native of tropical America ; the fruit is grown both for sale to Europeans and 

 for local consumption. It seems to do well at all elevations particularly in Nkata 

 Bay District. It grows readily from side shoots. 



Ref. 23. 



38. Anisophyllea sp. (Rhizophor.). 

 Macilikiti (N), mahota (Ng). 



A tree with red edible fruits about 1 in. in diameter. (Mzimba). 



39. Annona chrysophylla Boj. (Annon.) Wild custard apple. 



Mposa (Y,N), muroro (Tu), mponjela (Y). 



A spreading shrub or small tree growing to 15 ft., with large alternate oval 

 softly pubescent leaves and inconspicuous green flowers, solitary in the axils of the 

 leaves, fruits roughly spherical, yellow to orange somewhat fleshy. Found commonly 

 all over the country at levels below 4,000 ft. ; grows best where water is readily 

 available. 



The fruit is edible ' ' considered the best of indigenous fruits in parts of tropical 

 Africa, of an apricot flavour when ripe ". Rope is made of the bark. Used as cure 

 for pneumonia and various other diseases. 



A dwarf form is recorded in which the plant is so small that the fruits grow 

 literally on the ground, its fruits are said to be better eating than A. chrysophylla. 



Ref. 1; 6; 7; 9; 12; 27. 



*40. Annona spp. Bullocks Heart; Custard Apple. 



These exotic fruits are surprisingly common in villages where someone has 

 troubled to plant a few trees. Generally speaking, they seem to do well only at the 

 higher elevations above about 2,500 ft., but they occur also on the Lake-shore. 



Ref. 27. 



41. Anthericum sp. (Liliac). 



Shaivawa, syawawa (name applied to many small swollen roots resembling 

 groundnuts). 



A perennial herb growing to 1 ft. high with numerous roots the terminals of 

 which are swollen to the size of cherries. 



Eaten by boys. (N.A. Kaluluma's area, Kasungu.) 



42. Anthericum sp* 



Kaluwatete (C). 



A perennial herb with grass-like leaves, flowers f ins. diameter, pinkish-brown 

 outside, white inside. 



The flowers are cooked as a side-dish. (Ekwendeni, Mzimba District.) 



18 



