either alone or mixed with flour as a cure for nyamakazi (rheumatism and allied 

 complaints). 



Ref. 26. 



108. C. cornifolia (Bak.) Planch. 



Mbulunbunji (C), (Name merely refers to rounded fruits.) mpelesya (Y). 



A shrub up to 7 ft. with stout rusty tomentose shoots with very swollen nodes, 

 sub -erect from a woody base, grows after bush fires, rhizome thickened sometimes 

 watery, flowering while leafless, fruits black-purple, one-third of an inch long, pointed 



The sweet fruits are eaten by children from October-December. (Kasungu.) 

 Ref. 7; 15; 26. 



109. C. jatrophoides (Welw.) Planch. 

 Mnutvakemunda, mwinimunda (N). 



A small bush up to 3 ft. high, stem hollow, slightly ridged, covered with short 

 hairs, leaves 5-foliate, and terminal clusters of inconspicuous flowers producing 

 small fruits, a quarter of an inch in diameter. 



The sweet fruits are ripe in October to December and are eaten by boys (Kota 

 Kota Hills). The plants are left undisturbed in gardens, hence name mwinimunda, 

 meaning owner of the garden. 



110. Gissus sp. (Ampelid.). 

 Mwinimunda (N). 



A tall herb up to 3 ft., leaves trifoliate, elongate, red, margins serrate, folded 

 along thick midrib, stem cylindrical, smooth, tinged red or purple, fruits in terminal 

 racemes about a quarter of an inch in diameter ripening in December (Ncheu). 



The fruits are edible. The name means " owner of the garden " and the plant 

 is always left undisturbed in a garden. 



11 ^ Citrullus vulgaris Schrad. (Cucurbit.) Watermelon. 



Gimwela, vwende (N), liticiti (Y), cimwamaji (Tu). 



An annual, stems glabrous or woolly, leaves triangular-ovate, 3-7 lobed, fruit 

 variable in size from that of an apple to a man's hand, green striped or marbled, 

 flavour bitter or sweet. It seems to grow best in sandy open situations where plenty 

 of water is available such as near the Lake but can be grown at higher elevations, 

 e.g., Kota Kota Hills at 5,000 ft. 



The fruit is eaten raw, the local variety has a crisp sweet flesh but otherwise is 

 lacking in flavour. 



Ref. 1 ; 6. 



'"112. Citrus aurantiifolia (Christen) Swingle (Rutac.) Lime. 



Ndimu. 



Native of India and south-eastern Asia. Limes stand drought better than do 

 most other citrus and are found in considerable numbers at many Lake-shore stations. 



Ref. 23. 



♦113. C. limonia Osbeck Lemon. 



Ndimu. 



A native of Eastern Asia ; lemons grow easily, fruit early and can stand a period 

 of drought. Hence in the few places where citrus trees are to be found, lemons and 

 limes usually predominate, e.g., Nkata Bay, Kota Kota and Karonga Lake-shores. 



35 



