A much-branched annual, branching low on the ground, purplish, glabrous or 

 hairy, leaves with two long tail-like processes each side of the leaf-stalk, flowers 

 bright yellow, pods 2-3 ins. long with numerous seeds. A weed of cultivation 

 found on grass plains, hillsides and roadsides. 



The blades of the leaves are cooked with the help of potashes, the product is 

 mucilaginous {thelele) and hence groundnuts are not often added as they do not mix 

 in well. The dish is well liked but is eaten largely by women and children. It is 

 commonly given to babies and invalids. Frequently eaten all over the country, 

 particularly at lower levels, e.g., Kota Kota, Karonga and Chinteche Lake-shore 

 areas and at Port Herald. 

 Ref. 1; 6; 7; 15. 



133. Cordia abyssinica R. Br. (Borag.). 



Mbwabwa, mpefu, ngongoza (N), mfumbang'oma, nkungwa, ntuthu (C), mkulukulu, 

 msingati, nabukwe (Y). 



A much-branched evergreen tree, up to 50 ft., leaves alternate, ovate, almost 

 orbicular, flowers in cymes forming a terminal panicle, white with funnel-shaped 

 corolla, fruit, ovoid half an inch in diameter, smooth -skumed. Found m moister 

 parts of the lower mountain and plateau areas on forest margins and along stream 

 banks. 



Heartwood is yellowish-brown, hard and takes a good polish, very difficult to 

 saw. Used for grain mortars, beehives (Tt); fruits with sweet edible pulp; used 

 as a shade tree for coffee (Tt). 



Ref. 14; 22; 26. 



134. Cordyla africana Lour. (Papil.) African plum. 



Mtondo [Y, N). 



A deciduous tree up to 80 ft. with a branched bushy crown and rough reddish 

 brown bark, leaves alternate, pinnate, flowers small golden -yellow in numerous 

 racemes of 6-12 flowers, fruits fleshy, yellow, the size of a lemon, usually containing 

 two reddish -brown seeds. Found in the rift valleys below 2,000 ft. commonly in 

 association with Acacia albida on light fertile alluvium generally suitable for maize. 

 Very common in Dedza Lake-shore areas. 



The fruits are edible, they have an unpleasant smell and are only eaten by old 

 people except in times of hunger {Mua) but are much liked by elephants. They 

 are ripe in November. The timber is said to be somewhat coarse-grained but very 

 durable and is useful for rough constructional work, and is used in the making of 

 native mortars, hence the name, mtondo. A gum resin exudes from the bark and 

 is used mixed with water to make a kind of size or whitewash for houses (W.A.). 



Ref. 14; 15; 17; 22; 26; 27. 



* 135. Coriandrum sativum L. (Umbellif.) Coriander. 



An annual herb, native of East Europe and Asia, which has been cultivated 

 from very early times, seeds having been found in Egyptian tombs of 960-800 B.C. 

 It is grown for the seed in a few places in the country, e.g., Dowa, for sale to Indians. 



The ripe seeds are used for seasoning food by Indians. They are also used 

 to a small extent by Africans mixed with pounded turmeric and chillies to add to a 

 side-dish. 



Ref. 11; 23. 



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