302 
WEST AFRICAN FORESTS AND FORESTRY 
Ondo, Ibadan and Abeokuta provinces of Nigeria. One of 
the most typical features of this small tree are the small, pink, 
coral-like flowers which appear in February. The tree is armed 
with a few thin but very sharp thorns; the foliage is slight 
and open. On suckers or stool-shoots the leaf is much larger 
and almost lyre-shaped. It is usually found in waste places 
or in open clearings in the mixed deciduous forest. It yields 
a soft wood which is not durable. It is sometimes used for 
making fences. 
Tephrosia Ansellii (Hook). Boro (Yoruba). 
It is found in the Olokemeji Reserve of the Aheokuta 
province of Nigeria. 
Tephrosia Vogelti (H. K. F.). Fish-poison. Were, Igun, Laye 
Igu (Yoruba). 
This small shrub is apparently indigenous to Africa, but 
is usually seen planted in the fields of the Abeokuta, Oyo, 
Benin, Owerri and Ogoja provinces of Nigeria. It is not 
unlike a large upright vetch, but with a strong, green stem, 
almost woody in growth. It reaches a height of about 3 feet 
and flowers very profusely, and bears a large number of pods, 
not unlike those of the runner bean. The plant is cut down 
and placed in the water where it is desired to catch all the 
fish, chiefly in stagnant pools of rivers or ponds. The effect 
of the poison from it blinds and stupefies the fish so that they 
are easily caught. Under the Game Preservation Ordinance, 
its use has been prohibited, but with its widespread culti- 
vation and general utility it has been found very difficult 
to eradicate the custom or the plant. Incidentally. it is a 
very good green manuring crop for agricultural land. How- 
ever, most natives are unaware of this fact, and it is 
usually only planted for the purpose of using it as a fish- 
poison. 
Burkea. 
A species of Burkea was found near the Oyan River in the 
Oyo province of Nigeria. 
Lonchocarpus sericeus. African Wisteria. Ipapo, Apapo (Yoruba). 
This tree is found in the Olokemeji, Ibadan, Ilesha and 
Calabar districts. It is a medium-sized tree, which bears lilac- 
coloured flowers. As the flowers appear before the leaves in the 
dry season, it is then very ornamental, and is in fact one of 
the prettiest flowering trees. The wood is very hard and 
the heartwood green when freshly cut. 
Timber.—This is not of much service. 
Uses.—Hoe-handles are made from the branches, and the 
bark is used in medicine. 
