429. S. owariense Benth. (Myrtac). 



Mafuwa (N), mfowo, musu (C), katope (C, Tu), muwuum, mpambwesu (Y), Jcatuhwi 

 (To). 



A many-stemmed tree to 15 ft., leaves thickly-leathery ovate- elliptic, 3-6 ins. 

 long by 2-3 ins. broad, leaf stalk half to one inch long; flowers white in terminal 

 and axillary panicles, larger than those of S. guineense which it closely resembles. 

 Common in dry areas at the middle altitudes mixed with Brachystegia or Combretum- 

 Acacia. 



The fruits are edible. 



430. Swartzia madagascariensis Desv. (Papil.), Snake bean. 

 Cinyenye (Y), kampango (N), dzungu, mulundu (Tu, To, He), caronde (Nk). 



A bushy tree up to 45 ft. with dense rounded crown, conspicuous in winter 

 with its long, brown, hanging snake-like pods; flowers white, showy with a single 

 large crinkled petal; leaves alternate, pinnate, 9-13 leaflets; pods 5-12 ins. long, 

 filled with a mass of yellow tissue ; bark thick and corrugated. Common in drier 

 parts of the lower mountain and plateau areas. 



The pods are used as cattle feed (S.R.), they are said to have a high saponin 

 content and are used as a fish poison either alone or with Mundulea sericea. The 

 timber is heavy and dense, excellent for turnery work. It is favoured by Nyasaland 

 Africans next to mpingo {Dalbergia melanoxylon), for making curios. Used for 

 charcoal (Tt). 

 Ref. 9; 14; 18; 22; 26; 28. 



431. Tacca involucrata Schum. & Thonn. (Taccac). 

 Dinde (Y, N), dinda (To). 



A tuberous rhizome up to 1 ft. long, buried in the ground to a depth of about 

 7 ins. ; from it arises a single leaf stalk about 20 ins. long and a single inflorescence, 

 the base of which is sheathed by the overlapping leaf stalk till above ground level ; 

 leaves large, divided into three forked branches, final segments ovate to lanceolate; 

 flowers, many in an umbel with long purple filaments, bracts 4-6; fruit a berry, 

 almost round, three-quarters to one inch long. Known to be eaten occasionally 

 at Kota Kota, Chinteche and Dowa Lake-shore areas. 



The roots are ground with water and washed with at least three changes of 

 water as they are said to be poisonous. The starch is then allowed to settle at the 

 bottom of the container. The starch is made into a gruel, phaUiy and used for the 

 sick and for babies. 



432. Talinum caffrum (Thunb.) Eck. & Zey. (Portulac). 

 Mlelamvula. 



A herb with long fleshy leaves; fruits capsules about half an inch diameter 

 with black shiny seeds. 



The leaves are cooked as a side-dish. 



433. Tamarindus indica L. (Caesalp.), Tamarind. 

 Bwemha (N), mkwesu (Y), nkwesu (Nk). 



A tree up to 60 ft. with rough grey bark and rounded crown; leaves pinnate; 

 flowers, yellow or striped with dark red or brown; fruits sausage-shaped pods about 

 4 ins. long, fleshy and covered with a russet or grey skin. Found everjrvvhere along 

 the lower areas in deep soils in the hotter and drier climates such as the Lake-shore 

 and Shire Valley. 



The acid- tasting brown flesh round the seeds is eaten when ripe especially by 

 children. It is also mixed with a thin gruel to make a refreshing drink. The pulp 

 is used for cleaning copper and brass (E.A.). The young bark yields an inferior 

 kind of rope or string (E.A.). The young stems are used as walking sticks (E.A.). 



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