The leaves are very occasionally cooked as a side-dish (Dedza and Lilongwe 

 Districts). The roots are eaten by boys (Dedza). 



*387. Raphanus sativus L. (Crucifer.) Chinese or Giant Radish. 



An annual native of Europe and Asia, erect bearing abundant, hairy, dark 

 green leaves and having a white, tuberous root. It seeds readily and the seeds are 

 easy to collect and germinate well (Mwera Hill, Kota Kota District), hence it may 

 prove a valuable plant for native use. 



In China the roots are eaten. They are usually peeled and sliced in soups or 

 cooked with meat. The leaves make a good side-dish. They have a slightly stinging 

 effect on the tongue as of turnip leaves and hence were called mpiru at Mwera Hill 

 and were well liked. They grow well during the time of annual shortage of green 

 stuff and should be encouraged for native use. 



Ref. 21. 



388. Raphia ruffia (Jacq.) Mart. (Palm.), Raphia palm. 



Ciwale, viwale (G). 



A palm with sohtary stem up to 25 ft. with erect pinnate leaves up to 20 ft. or 

 more long; fruiting inflorescence pendulous with oval, cone-like fruits which are 

 covered with shining glossy brown scales. Common at Lake levels but grows well 

 even at 5,000 ft. 



The solid, very strong midrib can be put to a variety of uses and has the advantage 

 of being very light, thus it serves well for roof or tent poles. It is very soft and 

 easily cut to make doors and furniture which considering their lightness and softness, 

 are remarkably strong and last for j^ears. A tying material is prepared from the 

 tips of the young expanded leaves making the raphia or bast of commerce (E.A.). 

 A wax of high importance covers the lower side of leaflets and has been used or is 

 fit for local manufacture of floor and boot-polishes (Tt). The seeds are slow to 

 germinate unless the thick outer layers are removed, exposing the roots of the embryo. 

 Seeds treated in this way are found to germinate w ell ; some 40 or so were growing 

 well at Mwera Hill in 1943. 



Ref. 14; 17; 26. 



389. Rauvolfia caffra Sond. (Apocyn.). (Syn. R. natalensis Sond.). 



Giwimbi (N), ngwimbi, mwimbi (Y), mvumbamvula (C) nyensani (Tu). 



A tree up to 40 ft. with spreading crown, leaves in whorls of 2 or 3, 5-12 ins. 

 long, glossy on the upper surface; white flowers borne in cymes at the ends of the 

 secondary branches of large umbels, 4 ins. long ; fruits half an inch in diameter. Moist 

 parts of the lower mountain and plateau areas, common along water courses in the 

 Kota Kota HiUs. 



A light soft whitish wood used for making native spoons; worth a trial for 

 boxes, good for firewood. 



Ref. 12; 14; 22; 26. 



390. Rhoicissus erythrodes (Fresn.) Planch. (Ampelidac). 



Mpeza (C), mpelesya (Y), mpesya (Tu), mpete (N). 



A bushy climber, long branched, leaf-opposed tendrils, leaflets 3, lower surface 

 of leaflets hairy ; many flowered, fruits small, size of a pea containing many seeds, 

 purple when ripe. Known to be eaten near Fort Johnston and in the Mzimba 

 District. 



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