21 



Momordica cordifolia, Sond. in-Shunga. Gucurbitaceae . 



A climbing or rambling plant with large cordate leaves and 

 yellowish flowers, the leaves are used as a pot-herb, and the 

 pulp of the fruit is eaten by children. 



Ophioglossum reticulatum, Linn. Sankushani. Filices. 



The leaves of this well-known plant are also used as a pot- 

 herb. It will, perhaps, be better known to most people as 

 " Adders tongue." 



Oxalis semiloba, Sond. um-Swempe. Gerauiaceae 



The small tubers are eaten, and the leaves used as a pot-herb. 



Plectanthrus esculeiitus, N.E.B., um-Bondwe, Labiatae. 



An undershrub with yellow flowers, bearing small tubers 

 which are cooked and eaten by the natives who cultivate it for 

 that purpose. It is scarcely a table vegetable that would re- 

 commend itself to European taste. 



Rickardia africana, Kth. in-Tebe. Aroideae. 



The well-known " Lily of the Nile," or " Pig Lily," whose 

 large seeds are gathered when ripe and boiled for eating. The 

 native women may often be seeu gathering them in the season. 



Kiocrexia torulosa, Dene. u-Gwaba, Asclepiadeae' 



A climbing plant with yellowish flowers, and long slender 

 seed vessels, it is not uncommon in most parts of the Colony 

 about edges of woods, and the leaves are cooked as food by the 

 natives. 



In comparing this list with a similar but more complete one 

 issued in pamphlet form by Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., Director 

 of the Botanic Gardens at Sydney, and dealing with the native 

 food plants of Australia, it is somewhat singular to note that 

 several plants which are used as food by the natives of Austra- 

 lia, and which are also common in Natal, do not appear to have 

 been used by our natives to any extent if at all, so far as I have 

 able to ascertain, they are as under : — 



Avicenna officinalis, Linn. Ipomea pes-caprae, Roth. 



Canavalia obtusifolia, DC. Marattia fraxinea, Smith. 



Gardiosperum halicacabum, Linn. Portulaca oleracea, Linn. 

 Cyperus rotundus, Linn. Sesbania aculeata. Pers. 



Gleichenia dichotoma, Hook. Sonchus oleraceous, Linn. 



Hibiscus tiliaceous, Linn. Typha august i'olia, Linn. 



Of these plants some are worthy of remark, and I therefore 

 make a few extracts from Mr. Maiden's pamphlet regarding 

 them : — 



