18 



Solatium nigrum, Linn. um-Sobo. Solanaceae. 



The small fruits of this plant are eaten by children, and 

 though they have been often said to be poisonous, this is not 

 confirmed. J. H. Maiden F.L.S., reports that they are used in 

 some parts of Australia for making jam, and that comparatively 

 little sugar is required in its preparation, and also that " the 

 leaves were cooked as a potherb by the camp followers of Dr. 

 Aitchison in Afghanistan." Our natives occasionally use the 

 leaves in a similar way. The plant is found all over the 

 colony, and is very variable in form. 



Strychnos Gerrardi, Lam. Grulugulu. Loganiaceae. 



A large tree bearing a profusion of fruits about the size of a 

 small orange, the seeds are imbedded in a yellow pulp which is 

 much relished by children, but it is understood that the large 

 seeds themselves are more or less poisonous (Natal Plants, 

 Vol. 1, Plate J.6). 



Strychnos spiuasa, Lam. um-Hlala. Loganiaceae. 



A small spiny tree whose fruits are larger than those of the 

 last named species, and with a different flavour, they are used 

 in the same way, but it is said that the unripe fruits possess 

 emetic properties. The roots are used medicinally by the 

 natives. The fruits are known to colonists as " Kaffir Orange," 

 or " Monkey Orange." 



Vangueria infausta, Burch, um-Vili, Rubiaceae. 



An undershrub commonly known as " Wild Medlar," the 

 fruits are eaten by natives and Europeans, and are not at all 

 un | feasant ; they are globose, and about 1 inch in diameter. 

 Occasionally the plants are attacked by a parasitical fungus, 

 H^mileia Woodii, K. & Cke., which is nearly related to the 

 Coffee leaf fungus H. vastatrix, and when this fungus is present 

 in quantity the shrubs bear little if any fruit ; whether a shrub 

 once attacked by this fungus ever shakes it off and recovers, I 

 am at present unable to say, but think not. It is also the host 

 plant of another parasitical fungus Aecidium vanguerieae, Cke., 

 but this is not so destructive a pest as the Hemileia 



Vangueria macrocalyx, Sond. Rubiaceae, 



A shrub 6 to 8 feet in height found in the midlands, but not 

 we think very common. The fruit is as large as a common 

 plum, and is said by the late W. T. Gerrard to be " delicious 

 eating." 



Vangueria latifolia, Sond. in-Kabakaumtwana. Rubiaceae. 



A low undershrub seldom more than 2 feet in height found 

 in coast and midland districts, the fruit is smaller than that of 



