5. A. nigrescens Oliv. Knob Thorn Acacia. 

 Mkungu, nkunku (N), nanyula (Y). 



A tree up to 50 ft. with rounded canopy, bark smooth in some localities and 

 with raised knobs on trunk in others, flowers in long pendent inflorescences, pale 

 yellow very conspicuous in July- August; pods linear oblong. Found commonly 

 in Lake-shore littoral of Karonga District. 



Wood very hard and termite resistant. 

 Ref. 14; 26. 



6. A. spirocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich. 

 Ncongwe (N). 



A flat crowned tree up to 50 ft.; spines up to 4 ins. long, flowers white or pale 

 yellow, globular, pod contorted. Common in rich alluvial soil in dry thornbush 

 country in central Lake-shore littoral of Karonga District. 



Bark used for string; pods eaten by cattle, sheep, goats and game, forming main 

 food of cattle in winter period and can support high density of beasts (Mlali area, 

 Karonga District). 



Ref. 14; 26. 



7. A. subalata Vatke (Mimos.). 



Ciseo, namalenga (Y), ngagaga (N), ciwiriri (Nk). 



Shrub or small bushy tree up to 25 ft. with short bole and densely branched 

 rounded crown, stipular spines straight up to 2 ins. long, flowers globular, yellow 

 sweet scented; pods oblong, thick dark brown about 9-14 seeds. 



Pods much eaten by game and cattle, together with A. spirocarpa forming 

 main food of cattle in Mlali, Karonga District, in the winter months. 



Near Fort Johnston the dry pods are used for dyeing cloth. They are pounded 

 and mixed with black dambo clay and the mixture plastered on to the cloth. When 

 dry the cloth is washed and found to be dyed black. The roots are also used for 

 dyeing. A decoction of bark and roots is drunk by Masai youths to acquire strength 

 and courage; it has an intoxicating effect and is also used as an aphrodisiac; root 

 used for impotence and leaves in pneumonia cases (Tt.). 



Ref. 5; 14; 16; 26. 



8. Acalypha senensis Klotzsch (Euphorb.). 

 Cigaga (C), nyalisi, nyalisa (Y, N), cinyanya (Y). 



A hairy shrub or subshrub up to 6 ft., woody at the base with red-purple flowers- 

 Medicinal for diorrhoea. 

 Ref. 26. 



9. Adansonia digitata L. (Bombac.) Monkey Bread Fruit tree. Baobab tree. 



Mlambe (G), mnambe (N), mlonje (Y). 



A tree up to 60 ft. of immense girth and stiff" branching habit, it bears large 

 white flowers and hard shelled fruits about 6 ins. long. Found widespread at lower 

 elevations. 



Acid pith of fruits is edible and can be used as substitute for cream of tartar 

 for baking powder. The seeds are roasted and used instead of groundnuts to add 

 to side-dishes (Fort Johnston). The scraped seeds and pulp make a good sweet 

 " milk " if pounded and boiled with water. 



Leaves are eaten cooked with potashes (Fort Johnston and Dowa J^ake-shore). 

 Timber soft and spongy. Many medicinal uses in W. Africa. The bark is used 

 for rope and string. 



Ref. 15; 17; 26; 27. 



12 



