221. Garcinia spp. (Guttif.). 

 Mpimbi (N), ntundira (Y). 



Evergreen, small or large trees, usually easily recognized by opposite, simple, 

 thick leaves and resin-covered buds. The young branches are winged or sharply 

 angled. In mountain forests, e.g., Zomba, Mlanje and Nchisi Mountains. 



The fruits are edible, those of G. mlanjiensis, Dunkley, are excellent but very 

 acid. The wood is hard, probably durable and useful, difficult to saw. Weight 

 about 53 lb. per cu. ft. " An aqueous extract from the roots is drunk to relieve 

 chest pains." G. huchananii Bak. Gamboge is the solidified exudation of most 

 species. 

 Ref. 12; 14; 22 and 28. 



222. Gardenia manganjae Hiern (Rubiac). 



Mfukula, mdyanjima (meaning eaten by monkeys), mzondo (N), mdioJcoIa, mkoma, 

 mtowitowi, mdogodya, mtsece (Y). 



A shrub with opposite leaves, elliptical up to 4J ins. long, flowers solitarj', 

 axillary, corolla funnel-shaped, 3 ins. long, white with brown spots, flowering from 

 mid-September to October and fruiting in April. Lower elevations below about 

 3,000 ft. 



The fruits are edible. 

 Ref. 12; 14; 27. 



223. Gladiolus spp. (Tridac). 



Tomholilo (N). 



This name is given to many species of gladiolus that arc so common, particularly 

 in the hilly parts of the country. The young juicy stems of some are chewed and the 

 corms form a popular " whizzer " for children to play with. 



224. Glycine javanica L. (Papil.). 

 Yemhe (C). 



A perennial herb with slender climbing stems thinly pubescent, leaves alternate 

 pinnately trifoliolate, terminal ovate acute, lateral usually unequal sided, flowers 

 small in 3-6 ins. long stalked racemes, pod linear narrow about 1 ins. long nearly 

 straight. Common in grassland and open bushland throughout the country. 



The leaves are cooked as a side-dish, they are not slimy and are much used. 



♦225. G. max (L.) Merr. Soya bean. 



An annual, 2-3 ft. high, flowers are small and self-fertilized, seeds, 3-6 in a 

 pod, resemble peas and may be black, brown, yellow, green or mottled, according to 

 variety. Native of Central and East Asia. Grown in considerable amounts in the 

 Southern Province. 



The soya bean has been used for centuries in the East and during the past few 

 years its value has been realized in the Western countries. It has been grown for 

 some years in Nyasaland and varieties have been found which do well and which 

 are palatable. The beans contain a saponin, which is poisonous and which is found 

 in varying amounts in the different kinds. In the East the beans are always eaten 

 in some processed form, e.g., as curd or milk. White kinds are less bitter than black 

 skinned varieties and many so-called edible varieties appear to be in constant use 

 in other coimtries, e.g., America and South Africa, cooked in the plain, boiled form 

 with no deleterious consequences. 



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