395. Rubus spp. (Rosac.) Blackberries, raspberries. 

 Mpandankhuku, nhandankhuku (N). 



Several species of brambles occur wild at different elevations, either as shrubs 

 or rampant climbers. R. ellipticus Sp., a native of Asia, is naturalized on Mlanje 

 Mountain and a European species has run wild at Livingstonia and it can be a pest 

 in gardens. 



The fruits are mainly eaten by children. 



396. Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Polygon.). 



Qakazea (Ng). 



A perennial herb with long strap-shaped leaves, flowers in racemes forming 

 long lax panicles. 



The leaves are cooked as a side-dish occasionally (Mzimba District). An infusion 

 of the root cooked with flour to make gruel is used to cure pneumonia, chilaso. An 

 infusion of the roots with those of mbuto ya cule {Rhynchosia sublohata), is drunk to 

 cure dysentery. The roots mixed with other roots are used to cure njowera, a 

 venereal disease. 



397. Saccharum ofiicinarum L. (Gram.) Sugar cane. 



Nzimbe (N), mlungo, muwa (Y), mihali (Ngu), misale (Tu), njuwa (To). 



A tall perennial grass, some varieties growing to 15 ft., resembling a bamboo 

 in appearance with solid internodes. The flowers, (arrows), are long feathery 

 spikes making a cane field in arrow a very beautiful sight. Cane is propagated by 

 " sets ". These consist of one or two joints of the fully grown cane. Grown on a 

 small scale in patches in low damp places at low elevations all over the country. 

 Considering how popular a food it is and how easily grown, it is remarkable that 

 more is not planted. 



The stem is chewed raw for its juice. Occasionally the juice, asali, is extracted 

 by pounding and added to a gruel of maize or other flour or used to mix with flour to 

 make flat cakes, zitumhuwa, when fried or mikate when boiled. Cane is on sale in 

 season at all the local markets. 



398. Satyriumsp. (Orchid.). 



Cinaka, cikande (N). See also Habenaria sp. and Disa sp. 



This is one of the many kinds of orchids which are dug up for their tubers. 

 For methods of use see Disa sp. 



399. Scilla sp. (Liliac). 



A plant with onion-like bulbs about 3 ins. in diameter from which a gluey 

 substance, ulimbo, can be obtained. It is used for catching small insects (Kaluluma's 

 area, Kasungu District). 



400. Sclerocarya caffra Sond. (Anacard.). 



Mfula (N, Y), mtondowoko (Y), musele (Nk). 



A fair-sized, handsome tree up to 45 ft. high; dioecious, the pistillate tree is 

 conspicuous in May with its yellow edible fruits, the size of a plum with a strong 

 odour when ripe. The staminate tree is a beautiful sight is October (S.R.) with its 

 red catkins coming out before the leaves ; bark smooth and reddish -grey. Found is 

 rift valleys where soil is mainly infertile, common near Port Herald. 



The fruits are edible, acid tasting with turpentine-mango-like flavour. Elephants 

 are very fond of the fermented fruits, which they pick up from the ground. The 

 kernels are used pounded to add to a side-dish (Port Herald). They are good to eat 

 and children crack the nut to get at it. 



ao6 



