93. G. singueana Del. (Caesalp.). 



Mpatsacokolo (C), ntewelewe (Y), kadate (Port Herald), ntantanyerere (C, Tu), ndia- 

 pumbwa (N), tawetawe (C). 



A shrub or small tree up to 25 ft. with pinnate leaves, yellow flowers in corymbs, 

 pods slightly compressed usually constricted, up to 4 ins. long. Common, often 

 occurring on termite mounds especially in thicket areas. 



The pods are edible, they are either eaten raw or as a gruel by soaking and then 

 boiling them. The leaves are occasionally eaten (Port Herald). 

 Ref. 26. 



94. Cassia sp. 



Muwawani (C). 



Said to be a large tree with white flowers. 



An infusion of the root mixed with other roots and barks is drunk as a cure for 

 colic and for venereal diseases, linyoko and ntongo. An infusion of the roots mixed 

 with those of mathoUsa is said to be an abortifacient. 

 Ref. 14. 



95. Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. (Bombac.) Silk cotton tree or Kapok. 



Usufu (N), mutunda (Nk). 



Native of tropical America and tropical West Africa, a tree up to 60 ft. tall 

 with horizontally branched crown and more or less buttressed base, leaves palmate, 

 flowers not very showy, white-or rose-coloured, flowering usually in December/ 

 January, fruits pendulous cucumber-shaped capsules, 4-6 ins. long but sometimes 

 as long as 15 ins. depending on variety, turning blackish when ripe, usually splitting 

 into four or five valves. Planted near villages in Lake-shore areas, e.g., Kota Kota 

 and Karonga. 



The floss is used for stuffing mattresses and cushions and is very valuable for 

 lifebelts owing to its buoyancy and non-absorbent qualities. The hairs are too 

 smooth for spinning. In W. Africa the seeds are pounded or ground to a meal 

 which is used in soup. The seeds contain 22-25 per cent, oil which can be used 

 for lubrication, soap making or culinary purposes. The young fruits are eaten in 

 Malaya and Ceylon. 



In Kota Kota the wood is used for full-sized canoes which do not last more than 

 a year or two and the wood is also a great favourite of children for making toy canoes. 



Ref. 15; 26; 27. 



96. Celosia argentea L. var. cristata (L). Kuntze (Amarant.) Cock's comb. 



Ndangale (N). 



An annual more or less branched herb, Indian in origin, up to 4 ft. tall with 

 alternate linear to spatulate leaves and dense spikes of green, yellow or crimson 

 flowers. 



The leaves are cooked as a side-dish (Mlanje). 

 Ref. 23. 



97. C. trigyna L. 



Kaphikaulesi (N), (meaning cooked by lazy ones as it cooks quickly), cinkhanya (C), 

 nyasungwi (T), cala ca nkhwale (Port Herald name for red kind), nsanzazywale 

 (Port Herald, name for green kind). 



A branched straggling herb up to 4 ft., flowers small, white in globular eymea 

 arranged in linear panicles. Widespread, particularly at low elevations. 



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