DICTIONARY 



1. Abrus precatorius L. (Papil.) Crabs' Eyes. 

 Kantuhwi (Nk), ulangawiu (Y). 



A much-branched climbing shrub with alternate pinnate leaves, leaflets in 10-15. 

 pairs oblong or obovate, flowers small, white or purple in dense racemes, pods small 

 4-6 seeded, seeds bright scarlet and black at one end. Common Lake-shore areas. 



Leaves pleasant tasting, often eaten raw (Karonga), said to be used as vegetable 

 (E.A.), seeds if eaten whole are harmless but if crushed or macerated are extremely 

 poisonous. 



Ref. 17. 



2. Acacia albida Del. (Mimos.) White or camel thorn, Apple-ring Acacia. 

 Nsangu (G), msangumsangu (Y). 



A majestic tree, 60-80 ft. high with rounded crown and spreading branches, 

 flowers white or cream in spikes, pods yellowish brown when dry, thick, usually 

 spirally twisted. Found mainly below 2,000 ft., gregarious on rich alluvial lands,. 

 can be used as indicator of underground water supplies. 



Trunks used for making canoes which last two to five years wood is yellow- 

 ish-white, liable to attack by borers and white ants, used for long pick handles (R) 

 and pestles and mortars. Fruits a valuable stock food. Said to yield a good gum; 

 bark boiled and drunk to cure diorrhoea (Tt). 



Ref. 14; 26. 



3. A. campylacantha Hochst, ex A. Rich. (Mimos.) African cachechu tree. 

 Mgongolo (N), mtete (G), mlonga, nyungwe (C), ntarula (Nk). 



A much-branched tree up to 60 ft. tall with spreading crown and dark grey 

 bark. Found on good fertile lands, an indicator of fertile soil for tobacco and cotton. 



Gum yields a good adhesive mucilage suitable for confectionery. The wood is 

 of close texture and capable of taking a good polish ; heartwood is infiltrated with 

 resin and therefore more or less proof against borer attack, hard and used for mine 

 shafting and building materials also for tool handles. Roots used for snake bite 

 treatment and as part treatment for gonorrhoea (Tt). 



Ref. 7; 14; 15; 26. 



4. A. macrothyrsa Harms. 



Mnkhumbu (N), citongololo (H), nafungwe (C), cinyajuwe, cirima (Y), cipeta (N,Y). 



A tree up to 45 ft. high with white or brown reticulate bark; pinnae 6-24 

 with 15 to 50 pairs leaflets, flower heads golden yellow in much -branched panicles, 

 fruits flat, oblong remaining on the tree. Found in Brachystegia woodland at 

 4,000-5,000 ft. 



Medicine for diorrhoea made from roots. Leaves cooked as a side-dish. 



(Ekwendeni.) 

 Ref. 14; 26. 



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