Native of tropical Asia, growing in a dense clump with green or yellow and 

 green-streaked unarmed stems up to 50 ft. tall. Planted in villages along the Lake- 

 shore and also ua the Misuku Hills in the Karonga District. 



Used for building purposes and for pig fences. 



54. Basella alba L. (Basell.) Ceylon spinach. 



Mndele (C) 



An erect herb with glabrous ovate or cordate, succulent leaves, clusters of 

 small globose fruits with hard central seed surrounded by red, white or black fleshy 

 tissue. 



There is a plant, which is believed to be this, growingin the KotaKota Hills near 

 Cintembwe D.R.C.M. under the name of mndele (C) but it does not seem to be known 

 in the rest of the country. 



A variety from India, Pooye Sag, obtained from the E.A.A.R.S. at Amani was 

 grown at Mwera Hill. It grew well under irrigation during the dry season but 

 died out during the rains. 



The leaves are edible and of good flavour when cooked. 

 Ref. 6. 



55. Bauhinia fassoglensis Kotschy (Caesalp.). 



Mphandwapansi (C), mpandopansi (N, C), mpandakwaya (N), mkulumu (Y). 



A climbing woody plant, usually trailing over the ground, with a very large 

 swollen underground stem which may grow to a depth of 8 ft. or more and which 

 makes the plant difficult to eradicate; leaves bilobed kidney-shaped and measuring 

 2 to 4 ins. across, large light-yellow flowers in many flowered racemes, in flower 

 from December for several months. Found widespread at elevations of 3,000-4,000 ft. 



The pods are edible. They are usually eaten raw but when dry they may be 

 cooked. They do not serve as a side-dish. Children are advised to eat the pods 

 because they are supposed to be good for the stomach. Pods are also much sought 

 after by elephants (Tt). 

 Ref. 1; 5; 12; 26. 



56. B. petersiana C. Bolle (Caesalp.). 



Mpando (C, N, Y), mpandula (N, Y), rmmuwa, muuwa (Y), mpapa (Nk). 



A shrub or small tree with a climbing tendency, leaves kidney-shaped, flowers 

 in racemes, handsome white or pink, pods large and woody. Widespread and in 

 the Kota Kota area populating open pans where tsetse flies congregate to breed. 

 Ref. 27. 



57. B. thonningii Schumach. See Piliostigma. 



58. Bersama abyssinica Fresn. (Melianth.). 



The following are considered to be forms of the above : — 



B. maxima Bak. 



Mkanga (C), mhlaka, ciwindu (Y). 



A large tree; widespread. 



The leaves, together with those of sweet potato, are used as a cure for swelling 

 of the legs. The leaves, together with the roots and bark of various other plants, 

 are burnt and rubbed into an incision to cure headaches. 



B. zombensis Dunkley. 



Mcinji (Y), nakatimha (Mg). 



Timber said to be useful. 

 Ref. 14. 



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