The leaves are used as a substitute for sandpaper. Leaves crushed mixed with 

 lemon and strained and liquid drunk for cough (Tt). Rope, or string is dyed black 

 and rendered waterproof by rubbing with the fresh bark. 

 Ref.: 14; 17; 26. 



449. Trichilia roka (Forsk.) Chiov. (Meliac). (Syn. T. emetica Vahl). 

 Msikitsi (N), msicisi (Y), mshunguti (Nk), ndilolo (Nk, name for fruits). 



A much-branched evergreen tree up to 50 ft. tall with up to 11 -foliate alternate 

 leaves; flowers greenish-white, densely clustered; fruits globose, green, opening 

 on the tree to show the black seeds largely covered with a scarlet aril. The fruits 

 ripen in January to February and continue on into April. Common at Lake levels, 

 very abundant at Karonga Lake littoral and common at elevations of 3,000 ft. in 

 the moister areas of the rift valleys. It likes a deep fertile soil with plenty of 

 water. 



Hot water is poured on the seeds; they are left to soak for a few hours and then 

 rubbed between the hands. A sweet milky liquid is extracted from the arils which 

 can be used as a drink or added to suitable side-dishes or mixed with bananas (Karon- 

 ga). Livingstone refers to the extraction of oil from the seeds along the lower end 

 of Lake Nyasa, and Africans say that before the coming of Europeans the seeds 

 provided an important source of oil for oiling the body and there is no doubt it 

 was so used all along the Lake-shore and the Shire Valley. The oil is still used to 

 rub on the hair (Karonga). The seeds yield a variable amount of fat up to 64 per 

 cent. In Portuguese East Africa, it is called mafurra oil or tallow and is used for 

 soap-making at Lourenco Marques and also in S. Tanganyika. It can also be used 

 as cooking fat. The bark is said to act as an emetic. A decoction (of the bark?) 

 acts as a mild purgative and was widely sold as Ntapo (a purge for all witchcraft) 

 and the commercial invasion of Ntapo came from Portuguese East Africa about 

 1932 and swept South and Central Nyasaland. The timber is useful, light and soft. 

 It is easily worked and nails and polishes well. It darkens considerably under linseed 

 oil when it somewhat resembles Indian Teak. Unfortunately, it is somewhat 

 susceptible to attack by borers. In South Africa it is used for furniture and general 

 purposes. Weight 31-37 lb. per cu. ft. (Oven dry). 

 Ref.: 14; 15; 17; 22; 26; 27; 28. 



450. Trichodesma zeylanicum R. Br. (Borag.). 

 Dungumwamba (Port Herald). 



An annual much-branched herb, with very rough lanceolate leaves and small 

 white or pale blue flowers. Common everywhere as a pioneer in abandoned cultiva- 

 tions at lower elevations. 



The seeds yield an oil which might be of commercial importance if the Africans 

 could be induced to harvest the plants. The leaves are cooked as a side-dish, they 

 are not slimy and pounded groundnuts are added. (Port Herald.) 

 Ref. 17. 



451. Tripteris monocephala Oliv. & Hiern see Osteospermum. 



452. Triumfetta annua L. (Tiliac). 

 Khatambuzi (C), sungini (H), ugunga (Su). 



An annual with erect, slightly hairy stems, 1-2 ft. high; leaves generally on 

 long stalks, ovate, acuminate, 3-nerved, 4-5 ins. by 2-4 ins. ; flowers, small bright 

 orange; fruit, round the size of a pea, covered with hooked prickles, 4-seeded. 

 Abundant in woodland in half shade in hill areas, known to be in use in Kota Kota, 

 Kasungu, Mzimba and Karonga Districts. 



The leaves are occasionally cooked as a side-dish. They need potashes to soften 

 them and the product is mucilaginous, thelele, groundnuts are not usually added. 

 The fruits stick to cloth and are used to decorate head-dresses for dancers. 



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