*2Sb. Helianthus annuus L. (Ccmp.) Sunflower. 



An annual, native of N. Amarica, growing to a height of about 6 ft. with very 

 large handsome flowers which become A^ery heavy and hang down as the seed ripens. 

 Grown in small amounts all over the country. 



The seeds contain up to 30 per cent, oil which, cold pressed, is one of the best 

 edible oils and is in demand for salads and margarine making. The oil has drying 

 properties but is greatly inferior to linseed in this respect. Seeds are also used as 

 poultry feed and chopped up plants are sometimes used as fodder and as a silage 

 crop. 



237. Heteromorpha arborescens Cham. & Schlect. (Umbellif.). 

 Khozyo thengo (C), cikolola, kapoloni (N). 



A shrub or small tree up to 20 ft. leaves very variable, flowers small in compound 

 umbels up to 5 ins. across, fruits straw-coloured ; three winged. Widespread and 

 fairly common in moist plateau or mountain grassland and in temperate rain forest 

 remnants. 



An infusion of the root mixed with others is drunk to cure colds on the chest 

 and also for one of the various venereal diseases {mtongo). 



238. Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex Fie. (Malvac). 



Limanda (N), lumanda (Tu), Unyololo (Y, name for all mucilaginous leaves). 



A herb with leaves growing rather close to the ground, the leaves are shiny 

 with narrow, red, serrate margins. The flowers are showy and yellow coloured. 

 Very commonly used in villages in the Kota Kota and Kasungu Districts and north- 

 wards, either not known or does not grow in the Southern Province. Often protected 

 when growing near huts. 



The leaves are cooked as a side-dish with the help of potashes. Pounded ground- 

 nuts and tomatoes are added whenever available. The product is mucilaginous, 

 sometimes only a little potashes, cidulo, is added so that the leaves are little broken 

 up, it is eaten in this form particularly by lactating women who believe it to be a 

 lactagogue. It needs a strong kind of plant ash if the leaves are to be completely 

 softened. The product is very well liked both by men and women and permission 

 must be obtained before picking the leaves from other peoples' land. 



239. H. cannabinus L. Deccan or Bombay hemp, Java Jute. 

 Sonkhwe (N), kolokondwe (Su), nyaduwa (Port Herald). 



An erect branched annual, more or less beset with spiny tubercles, leaves en 

 very long stalks, deeply palmately 5-7 lobed, flowers with epicalyx of 5-7 linear 

 segments, corolla yellow with purple centre, large and showy, fruits ovoid capsules 

 with numerous seeds. Very widespread at all elevations. 



The leaves are very occasionally cooked as a side dish with the help of potashes. 

 The flowers are also sometimes cooked. The fibre obtained from the bark or bast 

 of the stems, is an important article of commerce in India. It is valued as an efficient 

 substitute for jute {Cor chorus) but superior in quality for manufacture of cordage, 

 sacking or any of the coarser textiles. 



Ref. 15. 



240. H. diversifolius Jacq. 



Catata (N), khuluza. 



A shrub up to 10 ft. high covered with short red prickles, flowers deep purple or 

 yellow with red centre about 2 ins. in diameter, flowering October to November 

 (Ncheu). Seen only near Mlanda Mission, Ncheu. 



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