355. Phragmites mauritianus Kunth (Gram.). Reed grass. 

 Bango (N). 



A tall water grass up to 30 ft. high, with culms erect, many noded, leaf sheaths 

 overlapping one another tightly, somewhat spiny leaf tips and heads of white or 

 buff flowers. Widespread near water on the margins of lakes and rivers. 



For many building purposes, e.g., grain bins, walls of huts, roofing, fish traps, 

 fences; split to make mpasa mats. The roots are used as medicine for various 

 maladies. 



Kef. 17; 26. 



356. Phyllanthus guineensis Pax (Euphorb.). 

 Mtanthanyelele (C, N), mtandanyelele (N, Y). 



A shrub up to 10 ft. found on sites of old gardens in the hills. 



An infusion of the root and bark, mixed with the young leaves oi mpandanjobvu, 

 is used to bathe the eyes when they are sore. The roots are pounded with those 

 of kangaluche and mthunda and the bark of katsongole {Markhamia acuminata), and 

 rubbed into an incision as a cure for rheumatic fever. 



357. P. muellerianus (O. Kuntze) Exell. (Syn. P. florihundus (Baill.) Muell. Arg.). 



A shrub, small tree or scandent climber, leaves ovate elliptic or ovate, glabrous, 

 often with recurved stipular spines, flowers numerous in leafless racemes arising 

 from the axils of leafy shoots, fruits small, fleshy berry-like turning black as they 

 ripen. 



Eaten by some tribes, many medicinal uses in W.A. 

 Ref. 15; 17; 26. 



*358. Physaiis peruviana L. (Solan.). Cape gooseberry. 



Jam, jamu (N). 



An annual herb, native of South America, bearing large numbers of small berries, 

 yellow when ripe and enclosed in an inflated calyx. It spreads rapidly by seed 

 and hence is found growing wild in the vicinity of European habitation. 



The fruit is edible and very popular among children. It makes good jam and 

 is often eaten stewed by Europeans. 



359. Piliostigma thonningii (Schumach.) Milne-Redhead (Caesalp.) (Syn. 

 Bau}iiniathonningii^G\i\xv[iQ,Q\\.), Camel-foot. 



Citimbe (N, Y), msekese (C, To), munthukutu (He), cinthukutu (He, Nk). 



A small tree of rather shrubby growth, up to 25 ft. leaves deciduous, 2-lobed, 

 wing-shaped, flowers in racemes opposite the leaves, pistillate flower large showy 

 pink, fruit a large woody pod about 6 ins. long. Very common on Karonga Lake- 

 shore on rich alluvial soils. 



Bark used for string and rope, unripe pods used as a soap substitute (Tt). Timber 

 is useful for poles. Pods form a good cattle food. Seed contains oil. An infusion 

 of the roots mixed with other kinds of root is used for the cure of various diseases 

 including stomach ache, rheumatism and venereal diseases, An infusion of the bark 

 is used for the cure of an infection of the gums called ciseye (C). An infusion of the 

 root mixed with the root of the wild cow pea is said to be a contraceptive, it is drunk 

 for seven consecutive days during which no intercourse is allowed. The leaves 

 are also used medicinally. They are mixed with those of mpandanjobvu and the 

 liquid used to relieve the inflammation from sore eyes. 



Ref. 9; 26. 



97 



