10. Adenia cissampeloides (Planch.) Harms. (Passif.). 

 Mlozi, mdozi (N), mkuta (Y), mulozi (Tu). 



A liane climbing by means of tendrils with greenish -yellow flowers from October 

 onwards. Found widespread in hilly country. 



The leaves are used all over the country for a side-dish, the main stems and 

 leaf stalks are thrown away, potashes are not usually needed for its cooking. The 

 leaves are eaten frequently in September and October. The roots are dug and 

 burnt fresh or dried and the smoke used to stupify bees when honey is being taken. 

 The roots are also put round the entrance of huts to prevent snakes entering. 



Ref. 7; 16; 26. 



11. Adina microcephala (Del.) Hiern var. galpinii (Oliv.) Hiern. (Rubiac). 

 Mwenya (C,Y), conya (N), mgona (To), mugwina (Su). 



Medium to large evergreen tree with wide and straight trunk. Found almost 

 exclusively along rocky stream banks in moister parts of lower mountain and plateau 

 areas. 



The wood is beautifully marked, hard and close-grained, not difficult to work 

 but inclined to be short-grained and crisp. Used locally for building purposes of 

 all kinds including bridges and is very suitable for heavy beams where great strength 

 and durability are required. It comes next to mbawa, Khaya nyasica, in popularity 

 with the native sawing industry and is the most prized tree for "dug-out" canoes 

 on the Lake. In S.A. the timber is used for wagon construction and to a small 

 extent for furniture. Weight 50-58 lb. per cu. ft. (overdry). The bitter roots 

 are chewed by natives (S.R.) as a cure for colic or drunk in the form of an infusion. 

 Fibrous twigs are used as toothbrushes in W.A. 



Ref. 9; 14; 15; 22; 26. 



12. Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. (Amarant.). 

 Cidyonko (C), mloma wa mbuya (Port Herald). 



A perennial more or less branched herb up to 4 ft. tall with dense spikes of small 

 white or yellow- white flowers. Found often on anthills, widespread. 



The leaves are cooked with groundnuts as a side-dish and are used at all times 

 of the year (Kasungu). The dried flowers are used for stuffing native pillows (Tt). 



Ref. 17; 26. 



13. Afrormosia angolensis (Bak.) Harms (Papil.). 



Mbanga, mwanga (G). 



Much-branched slender tree growing up to 30-50 ft., with bark flaking off, like 

 that of a plane tree, fruit a small flat winged pod. Found in drier parts of lower 

 mountain and plateau areas. 



Has hard and durable timber but somewhat heavy. In fact it is so hard that it 

 twists African axes and is hence left either untouched in native gardens or is deeply 

 ringbarked to kill it. Its wood was used, until quite recently, for making native 

 hoes goo (C), before iron was used or in areas where iron was scarce. The remains 

 of several such hoes that cannot be less than 90 years old have been found on the 

 sites of villages wiped out by the Ngoni in the early 1860's. Used for pestles and 

 at one time was much in demand locally for felloes and naves in w^gon construction, 

 very difficult to saw. Used for sleeper and native smelting, also for fuel for tobacco 

 curing (Tt). The most rot, termite and borer-proof timber in Nyasaland. Difficult 

 to burn but once alight burns with a great heat like coal with almost no ash at all. 



Ref. 9; 14; 22; 26; 27. 



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