All arrow poison is obtained from the seeds (E.A.) and they are of commercial 

 importance for medicinal purposes in Europe, Nyasaland being the main source of 

 supply. 

 Ref. 14; 17; 26; 27. 



426. Strychnos spinosa Lam. (Logan.), Kaffir orange. 

 Name of tree, mteme (N, C), dzai (C), mtonga (Y), malopali (Ngu), msongoli (Tu), 



musongola, kapula (Nk), katogulu (Su). 



Name of fruits, mateme (N), mwai (C), matonga (Y), mazaye (To). 



A small thorny tree growing to 15 ft., leaves in opposite pairs, about IJ ins. long 

 and 1 ins. broad; flowers in dense terminal cymes; large, green, spherical fruits 

 with an extremely hard shell, up to 6 ins. in diameter, they take several months to 

 ripen from April or May until November. Very widespread in drier parts of the 

 lower mountain and forest areas, often left in maize gardens because of the fruit. 



The fruit are gathered when ripe and usually thrown on the ground to break 

 them open. The seeds are surrounded by juicy, acid, pleasant, tasting flesh and are 

 refreshing to suck. If they are kept in the mouth too long, a bitter taste develops 

 and the seeds themselves are poisonous. The flesh is also said to be poisonous 

 if not fully ripe. An infusion of the root and bark with that of muwawani {Cassia 

 sp.), and matholisa {Mikania scandens), is drunk as cure for colic, ncofu. An infusion 

 of the roots as above with maonde in addition is drunk to cure a venereal disease. 

 The leaves are mixed with those of kaphavumba wang'ono and used to cure nsanga, 

 cataract (?). 



Other species with edible sweeter fruits are kahenzi, kabezi, (Kota Kota Lake- 

 shore), Tnagonkhomwala (Dedza and Lilongwe), a tree with thorns but with smaller 

 fruit is mkunyukunyu (N), mkyiki (Y). 



Ref. 9; 14; 26. 



427. Syzygium cordatum Hochst. ex Sond. (M3rrtac.) Water Boom. 

 Nyowe (N), mcisu, nyonwe (Y), mnyonmwe, nanyole (Ml), katope (C, To, He), nyengere 



(Nk). 



A large, flat topped tree up to 50 ft. high, young branches sharply quadrangular, 

 almost winged; leaves nearly round, cordate at the base, often clasping the stem, 

 2-3 ins. long and 1^-2 J ins. wide, shiny thick and leathery, light green colour; 

 masses of showy white flowers in broad terminal cymes. Common in moister parts 

 of the lower mountain and plateau areas. 



The small dark purple, one-seeded berries are edible. The wood is white with a 

 red heart, easily worked and borer proof, suitable for doors. Wood smoke used for 

 smoking milk gourds on account of its aroma (Tt). 



Ref. 9; 14; 26. 



428. S. guineense (Willd.) DC. Water Berry. 

 Mbunguzi, mpeuma (Mg), ntepera (Y), katope (To, He), mfuwa (He). 



A tree with several slender, erect stems growing to a height of 75 ft., bark grey, 

 rough, flaking off; leaves opposite, simple; flowers, greenish -white, sweet-scented 

 in a broad terminal cyme, coming out with the leaves ; fruit a red or purple berry, 

 the size of a plum. Usually near streams and rivers or where the water table is 

 near the surface, hence the common name of water berry, but also fomid in dry 

 places. 



The fruits are edible and of good flavour. The timber is pale red, turning darker 

 on seasoning, hard, strong and easy to work, is reputed to be very durable. 



Ref. 9; 14; 20; 22; 26. 



114. 



