42 WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
Liliacee. 
Dracena Mannii.* Ningei (Mendi). 
This tree grows to 30 feet in height, and is called the 
Asparagus Tree by Europeans, because the flavour of the young 
leaves is like asparagus. The natives eat them chopped with 
their rice. 
Ulmacee. 
Trema affinis.* Gombei (Mendi). 
A small tree, from 25 to 30 feet. It springs up in cleared 
farms; the wood is of little use except as thatching laths. The 
bark is peeled and eaten for coughs. 
Trema Africana.* ¢ 
A medium-sized tree. 
Moracee. 
Ficus Vogelit.* Jol, Lopi (Timani) ; Gonwi (Mendi). 
A much-branched tree, yielding a latex, which coagulated 
has been sold at from 6d. to 1s. a Ib. in London as paste rubber. 
Ficus sp.* Wild Fig or Sandpaper Tree. Indiiihen (Mendi). 
This species has rough leaves like sandpaper, hence its 
name. They are used to clean woodwork. 
Ficus platyphytes. Gonwé (Mendi). 
Chlorophora excelsa.* Iroko, Teak, African Oak. Tema (Timani) ; 
Sime or Semei (Mendi). 
It is found particularly near old clearings, but not so 
frequently in the forest. It is a termite-resisting timber; called 
Teak, Oroko or African Oak, when exported, it is worth about 
14d. per superficial foot. At one time the latex was used as 
an adulterant for rubber. It polishes well and makes very 
handsome furniture. Canoes, pestles, rice-basins, etc., are 
made from it. Dr. Unwin suggests that Iroko is a corruption 
for rock elm. 
Musanga Smithii.* Corkwood. Ofika (Timani); Govwi (Mendi). 
It is a common tree, growing to about 60 feet in old farm 
lands, and affords a shade for forest species to get a footing. 
It is remarkable for its wide-spreading prop roots and large 
palmate leaves. 
Myrianthus arboreus.* Fofoi (Mendi). 
A small tree. 
Myrianthus sp.* Fofoi (Mendi). 
A small tree. 
Myrianthus serratus.* Fofoi (Mendi). 
A small tree with edible fruit. 
