NIGERIA 209 
Albizzia Chevalieri, G. et P. Katsari. 
: A tree of 30 to 40 feet, common in the more open savannah forma- 
tions, especially in the northern districts. It has whitish flower-balls, 
with long, pinkish stamens and thin, flat pods. The bark is sometimes 
used for tanning. : 
Entada Sudanica, Schweinf. Tawatsa. 
A small tree of the savannah forests and open plains, easily dis- 
tinguished by the peculiar jointed pods, each embossed seed section 
falling out and leaving the empty marginal frame. The flowers are 
in yellowish axillary spikes, generally two or three together. 
Mimosa asperata, Linn. Kaidaji. 
Forms dense thorny thickets fringing the open bush streams. 
The flowers are in pinkish balls, and the leaves possess the sensitive 
quality in a mild degree. 
Lophira alata, Banks (Ochnacez). Mijin kade. 
An “ African Oak” and one of the most familiar trees of the 
savannah forests and open country. It is apparently very similar 
to Lophira procera, the “‘ Red Ironwood ”’ timber tree of the southern 
forests ; frequently stunted by forest fires. The seeds yield an oil and 
the bark is medicinal. The flowers are in handsome white panicles, 
appearing about November or December, and the leaf and habit often 
give it an appearance resembling the Shea Butter Tree, but the leaf 
is beautiful and finely veined. An extraordinary fact is the wide- 
spread belief of pagan tribes in the efficiency of the leaf as a charm. 
Eriodendron orientale, Steud. (Malvacez). Rimi; “‘ Silk-cotton Tree.” 
A giant in the evergreen forests, and still a comparative giant in 
the dry zone. In Northern Hausa towns the only very tall trees are 
Rimi; the wood is light and the stems are sometimes hollowed out 
for canoes: the floss of the seeds is Kapok, and has the usual local 
uses. Barth says its distribution eastwards stops at 11° East 
longitude, and that it is therefore absent from Bornu proper. 
Northwards it apparently scarcely extends beyond the Anglo- 
French boundary. 
Bombazx buonopozense, Beauv. Gurjiya; ‘‘ Red-flowered Silk-cotton 
Tree.” 
A member of the evergreen forests, but quite a common tree of the 
open country and savannah forests, sometimes more or less gregarious, 
and extending at least beyond the Anglo-French border. It reaches 
about 40 feet or more in height, with crowded spines on the bark and 
tulip-like red flowers appearing during the deciduous period, generally 
after the middle of December and in January. 
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