438. T. zotnbensis Bak. 



Katupe (N), mtutu, kapweso (Y). 



An erect woody shrub, leaf stalk and young branches tawny coloured, hairy; 

 leaflets 7-8 pairs, silvery silky beneath ; flowers in dense sessile, terminal clusters; 

 pods IJ ins. long covered with long, soft, red-brown hairs. Commonly planted in 

 villages. 



The seeds and leaves are used for stupefying fish, see T. vogelii. 

 Ref. 14. 



*439. Terminalia catappa L. (Combret.), Indian Almond. 



Mkungu (kiSwahili, Kota Kota). 



A tree, native of India, up to 40 ft. high, with horizontal branches; leaves 

 large, alternate or in whorls, dark green, shiny, leathery; fruits oval, fleshy, green 

 to yellow, up to 2 ins. long with a hard shelled seed. Often planted as an avenue 

 tree (E.A.) but most untidy on account of the frequency with which it sheds its 

 leaves. There are a few fine trees at Kota Kota. 



The kernel of the seeds and the fleshy part of the fruit are edible and are eaten 

 especially by children (Kota Kota). 

 Ref. 4; 11; 17; 26. 



440. T. sericea Burch. (Combret.). 



Napini (C), mpini (N), nyapini (To), (names all meaning hoe-handle,) nalinsi (N), 



mpururu (Tu). 



A tree up to 40 ft. tall with spreading branches, bark striated, leaves deciduous, 

 opposite and alternate, simple, leaf stalk 2-5 ins. long, blade 6 ins. long and 2^ ins. 

 wide, oblong ovate, entire, under-surface white with down; flowers in axillary 

 pendulous racemes, sweet scented ; fruit winged, turning pink, one-seeded. Common 

 at lake levels and in the foothills, a few at higher elevations. 



Wood yellow but opinions differ as to its durability, some claiming that it is 

 ant and borer proof and others not. Another says it saws and planes easily but 

 for its susceptibility to borers it would probably be used more. It is used occasionally 

 for canoes but because of its lack of durability is not popular. Its most important 

 use to the natives is for axe and hoe handles. 

 Ref.: 9; 14; 22; 26; 27. 



*441. Tetragonia expansa Murr. (Ficoid.). New Zealand spinach. 



Native of S.E. Asia and Australasia; a sprawling prostrate annual with fleshy 

 bright green leaves and stems ; if allowed to dry out it seeds freely, the seeds are 

 large and are produced in the axils of the leaves. 



The leaves make a good side-dish but need the addition of groundnuts. They 

 cook quickly so that soda or potashes are unnecessary. 



A good type of spinach for native use provided that water is abundant. 



442. Thespesia garckeana F. Hofiin. (Malv.) (Syn. T. rogersii S. Moore). 

 Mtowo (N), mtawa (Y), nto-o (Nk, Su). 



A shrub or tree up to 30 ft. tall, leaves palmately 3-5-lobed, stellately hairy, 

 flowers yellow tinged with red, large, fruits ovoid globose, seeds softly villous. 



The wood is used for bows. 

 Ref. 9; 14; 26. 



443. Thunbergia lancifolia T. Anders. (Acanth.). 

 Mlombwe, mndombwe (N),jandalala (Ng), mwanaluni (Y). 



An herbaceous plant with erect stem 2-3 ft. high, glabrous except at the nodes; 

 leaves vary from linear-lanceolate to oblanceolate ; flowers are tubular, mauve; 

 capsule covered with fine hairs. Fairly common at high elevations. 



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