268. Justicia sp. (Acanth.). 

 Kaiiyelenyezi (N, C). 



A small marsh plant; the flowers are pink to mauve. 



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

 (Hill areas, e.g., Kota Kota Hills.) 



269. Justicia sp. 



Kangena. 



A herb growing near water to a height of 1 ft. 

 The leaves are cooked as a side-dish. 



270. Justicia sp.? 



Kapoli (C) 



The leaves are edible and are not slimy when cooked. (Mvera, Dowa District). 



271. Kaemferia rosea Schweinf. ex Benth. & Hook. f. (Zingiber.). 

 Manjanu, kurri (N), mbilicira (Y). 



A perennial herb growing to about 18 ins. high, leaves about four with long 

 distinct, channelled petioles not fused to form a false stem; blade moderately firm 

 under 1 ft. long, 4-5 ins. broad; flowers, many in a raceme at the end of a long 

 slender stalk, out at the same time as the leaves, usually rose-red, lip lJ-2 ins. 

 broad. Found at low elevations all over the country. 



There is at least one other turmeric-like plant in the country, cikasu (Fort 

 Johnston) ; it has white roots and leaf bases are fused to form a false stem, in this 

 resembling true turmeric, Cucurma longa L. 



The roots are dried, powdered and used to flavour dishes such as beans or meat. 

 The powder is also added to boiled rice, together with pounded groundnuts when 

 making msere. Sometimes a tuber is cooked inside a chicken to give it a good 

 flavour and to colour it. 



272. Khaya nyasica Stapf ex Bak. f. (Meliac.) Red Mahogany. 



Mhawa (G), muwawa (C, To). 



A forest tree, sometimes attaining a height of 150-200 ft., with very long straight 

 trunk running up to a considerable height before branching, it is much buttressed 

 and has an enormous crown of glossy foliage, bark light-grey, thick ; leaves compound 

 partly deciduous, alternate; flowers in axillary cymose panicles, small white; fruit, 

 a large capsule opening by four valves scattering the winged seeds. Found on 

 stream banks and moister parts in lower mountain and plateau areas, not found 

 north of Nkata Bay. 



The timber is reddish in colour, soft and fissile; easy to work, takes a fine 

 finish and polishes well with little trouble. Shr+inkage is sometimes troublesome 

 if the wood is not fully seasoned. This is the most popular of local furniture and 

 cabinet woods and it is the main species cut in the native sawing industry. It is 

 also used largely in framing, panelling, etc. Weight 35-45 lb. per cu. ft. Infusion 

 of bark drunk for colds (Tt). 



Ref. 9; 14; 22; 26. 



273. Kigelia aethiopica Decne (Bignon.), Sausage tree. 



Mvunguti (G). 



A much -branched deciduous tree up to 50 ft. tall, with a rounded, spreading 

 crown, leaves ternate, pinnate, leaflets 7-11; flowers, large reddish- purple in lax 

 pendulous panicles; fruits up to 2 ft. long, cylindrical, grey- brown, hairy, containing 



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