Part 6

=limniya= or =lanya= = green algæ forming a slimy growth in stagnant water. Syn. =dauḍar ruwa=.

=limniyar kwaḍi= or =lanyar kwaḍi=, Kœmpferia æthiopica, Benth. (Scitamineæ); a plant with a conspicuous delicate purple flower growing in shady places (commonly mistaken for an orchid). Etym. = “frog-spawn,” from the slimy juice.

=loda= or =lodar marina=, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelideæ). Syn. =dafara=, _q.v._ A vine. The viscid extract of the root-bark gives a smooth surface to native cement used for dye-pits, &c. N.B. In Sokoto the name _loda_ is also used for the plant with viscid juice, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceæ), _vide_ =baba rodo=.

=lojiya=, _vide_ =rojiya=.

=loko=, Chlorophora excelsa, Benth. and Hook. fil. (Urticaceæ). _Iroko_ (S. Nigeria), or _Odum_ (Gold Coast); a large timber tree; used for canoes, building, &c.

=lubiya=, _vide_ =rubiya=.

=luddai=, a var. of the bottle-gourd; _vide_ under =duma=.

=lubatu=, a kind of food made from the ground-bean =kwaruru=, _q.v._

=M=

=mabakachi=, a large calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=machara=, a name for more than one species of grass with hollow stems; chiefly = the tall reed-grass Arundo Donax, Linn. from which flageolets are made. Syn. =gabara=, _q.v._ Also the smaller Panicum proliferum, Lam. var. longijubatum, Stapf; used by boys to make small whistles.

=maḍachi= or =maḍwachi= (Sok.), Khaya senegalensis, A. Juss. (Meliaceæ). A large timber tree; one of the species of “African Mahogany.” The bark is much used medicinally. (Etym. from the bitter bark).

=maḍachin ḳassa=, Aristolochia albida. Syn. =dumar dutsi=; _vide_ under =gaḍaukuka=.

=maḍaḍafi=, Desmodium lasiocarpum, DC. (Leguminosæ); an undershrub the seeds of which are covered with minute hooked hairs which adhere to the clothing; _vide_ =ḍan kaḍafi=.

=maḍaḍafin kusu=, _vide_ =ḳarangiyar kusu=.

=maḍas= or =maḍat=, a poison usually made from =tururibi=, _q.v._ used for killing fish and vermin, as well as criminally.

=madobia=, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Poir. (Leguminosæ). An “African Rosewood” or “Bloodwood.” A large tree with yellow flowers and flat winged fruit with soft prickles. The blood-red resin from the trunk is a variety of “African Kino,” or “Dragon’s Blood,” a medicinal astringent. The bark is in some districts used as a red dye or cosmetic like =majigi=, _q.v._ where the latter is scarce.

=maga=, a var. of date; _vide_ under =ḍabino=.

=maganin kunama= (Katagum), the local name for a leguminous weed with yellow flowers and inflated pods, used as a remedy for scorpion bite; Crotalaria atrorubens, Hochst.

=magariya=, Zizyphus jujuba, Lam. (Rhamnaceæ). “Jujube Tree.” A thorny shrub, resembling =kurna=, _q.v._ with pale brown edible berries.

=magariyar kura=, Zizyphus mucronata, Willd. (Rhamnaceæ). “Buffalo-horn.” A thorny scrambling shrub with red-brown berries; not edible.

=magiumfa= (Zanfara), _vide_ =majimfa=.

=magudiya= (Kano, Sok., &c.), Polycarpæa linearifolia, DC. (Caryophylleæ). A common herb with heads of small scarious flowers; a common medicinal charm and ingredient of love-philtres, &c. (_maganin farin jini_). Syn. =fular tsofo=. _cf._ =bakin suda=. Also called =mai-nasara=, when used as a charm in hunting or war.

=mai-farin kai= (Sok.), Tricholæna rosea, Nees. var. sphacelata; a grass about 2 feet high with silvery fluffy flowering panicle.

=mai-kain dubu= (Sok.), Alternanthera sessilis, Br. (Amaranthaceæ); a prostrate weed with numerous small clusters of inconspicuous flowers.

=maikeri=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=mai-lalita=, _vide_ under =matsarmama=.

=mai-nasara=, _vide_ under =magudiya=.

=maiwa=, Pennisetum spicatum, R. and S. _var._ a var of millet; _cf._ =gero= and =damro=; less wholesome than =gero=, and said to be injurious to horses.

=maje= (Sok., &c.), Pardaniellia Oliveri, Rolfe, (Daniellia Thurifera, Bennett), “West Afr. Copaiba Balsam Tree.” Syn. =kadaura= (Kano, Zaria, &c.), _q.v._ Both names are equally well known; sometimes loosely included under the name =ḳaro=, _q.v._ _ḳaron maje_ (in Sokoto sometimes also called _ḳaron darma_) = the exuded balsam or oleo-resin, a variety of West Afr. copal, used as scent to fumigate clothing, to impart a gloss to beaten dyed cloth, &c.

=majigi=, Baphia pubescens, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ). Camwood, a tree the wood of which is used as a red dye and cosmetic. (Also probably B. nitida, Afzel. in the south). _cf._ =madobia=.

=majimfa= or =magiumfa= (or =jimfa=), Tephrosia Vogelii, Hook. fil. (Leguminosæ); an erect shrub cultivated near houses; the leaves are much used as a poison to stupefy fish. =baina= (Kano) = the fish-poison prepared from it. _cf._ =ago=.

=majiriya= (Sok. and Kats.), or =minjiriya= (Kano, &c.), Erythrina senegalensis, DC. (Leguminosæ). “Coral Tree;” a prickly tree with brilliant scarlet flowers and 3-foliate leaves. The scarlet seeds are sometimes called =idon zakara=, _q.v._

=majiriyar kurumi= (Kano), Phyllanthus floribundus, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ); a thorny scrambling shrub with small red berries. (The term =ḳumchi=, Sok. and Zanf. is sometimes applied to this, and more widely to any thorny thicket; _cf._ =gumbi= and =dufuwa=).

=maka= = dried bean leaves; _vide_ under =wake=.

=makafo=, =makafo da wayo=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=maḳaimi=, _vide_ =tsuwawun zaki=.

=maḳarfo=, Afrormosia laxiflora, Harms. (Leguminosæ); a hard-wooded tree with smooth bark and shining foliage; the wood is used for axe-handles, &c.; the bark and root are used medicinally. (Etym. probably _ḳarifi_—from the hardness of the wood). Sometimes also called =kariye gatari= (“break axe”). _cf._ =baḳin maḳarfo=, _vide_ =kurḍi=.

=makari=, Digitaria sp.? A grass cultivated in some districts with a small grain like =acha=, _q.v._

=makarin dafi= = any antidote to arrow-poison, usually vegetable substances containing tannin. _cf._ =bi ta ka tsira=.

=makarin faḳo=, Panicum falciferum, Trin. (Gramineæ). A wild grass 1½ to 2 feet high, with golden hairy flowering spike; seeds edible, sometimes gathered for food.

=makasar dawa= and =makasha=, _vide_ =ḳuduji=.

=makuba=, _vide_ under =ḍorowa=.

=makubar mahalba=, _vide_ under =kirni=.

=maḳworin maḳwododo=, _vide_ =ḳwododon kwaḍo=.

=malafiya= (or =marafiya=), Corchorus olitorius, L. (Tiliaceæ). “Jews’ Mallow.” One of the jute plants, cultivated in N. Nigeria more as a vegetable than for fibre. (Arab. _molukhiya_).

=malami= or =malami na mata=, Mukia scabrella, Arn. (Cucurbitaceæ); a small twiner with rough leaves and red berries resembling Bryony. (Etym. from its frequent use as a love-charm). Syn. =gautan zomo=.

=malamkochi=, _vide_ =zaḳi banza=.

=malga= or =marga=, _vide_ =gamma faḍa=.

=malle=, =m. kabi=, =m. mama=, =m. Zanfara=; varieties of =dawa=, _q.v._

=malmo=, Eugenia owariensis, Beauv. (Myrtaceæ); an evergreen tree with fragrant flowers and leaves, and black or purple berries; common by streams and pools.

=mangoro=, the name given to the mango, Mangifera indica, Linn. (Anacardiaceæ).

=manta uwa=, 1. A medicine given to a child at weaning, or to prevent a slave running away (etym. “forget mother”); the name is applied to several plants; (in Katagum the species was Crotalaria arenaria, R. Br. Leguminosæ, a low weed with small yellow flowers and inflated pods). 2. A name for some epiphytic orchids, e.g. Ansellia congoensis, Rodiges, &c. (etym. because growing on trees away from the ground). _vide_ =muruchin bissa=.

=marafiya=, _vide_ =malafiya=.

=maraguwa=, _vide_ =ḳini=.

=marasiri=, _vide_ under =riḍi=.

=marga= or =malga=, _vide_ =gamma faḍa=.

=mariḳe=, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Guill. et Perr. (Combretaceæ). A tree with small pale leaves and balls of whitish flowers; a good timber; it yields a soluble gum; the fruit is used as a vermifuge for horses, &c. “Chew-stick Tree.” =ḍan marike= (Katagum, &c.), Indigofera secundiflora, Poir. (Leguminosæ). A weed or low undershrub with pale pinnate leaves covered with a gummy glandular secretion.

=marin kusu=, Pupalia lappacea, Juss. (Amaranthaceæ); a straggling spiny weed of waste places, resembling =ḳaimin ḳadangare=, _q.v._ (Etym. “mouse’s irons”).

=marmare=, a var. of =dawa=, _q.v._

=marsa=, a var. of kola nut; _vide_ under =goro=.

=masaki=, a large calabash; _vide_ under =duma=.

=masakowa= or =mazakwa=, a dry-season var. of Guinea-Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.

=masara=, Zea Mays, Linn. (Gramineæ). Maize. Indian Corn. Varieties are:—_m. wada_, a dwarf variety; _m. Fulani_; _m. kwona_, tall with about 3 corn cobs with large white grain; _kain masara_ or _maburkaki_ = the terminal male inflorescence; _goyon masara_ = the lateral fruiting spike or mealie cob; _toton masara_ (Sok.), or _kututu_ (Kano and East) = the cob after removal of seeds, used to make pipe-stems.

=mashayi=, Clerodendron capitatum, Sch. and Thonn. (Verbenaceæ). A shrub with bunches of tubular white flowers and purple berries; the pithy branches are used for pipe-stems. Etym. instrument used for smoking; _cf. syn._ =tataba= (Sok.).

=mashin zomo=, Ophioglossum vulgatum, Linn. (Filices). “Adder’s tongue fern,” a small fern with simple leaf and erect fruiting spike. (Etym. “hare’s spear”).

=masoro=, “West Afr. Black Pepper,” “Benin Pepper;” small dried berries sold for spice and medicinal use; the fruit of Piper Clusii, Cas. DC. (?P. guineense, Piperaceæ); a climbing plant on trees in the South.

=masun ḳadangare=, _vide_ =tsatsarar ḅera=.

=matakashi=, a plant resembling _sesame_ (_vide_ =riḍi=); used for soup.

=matsagi= or =matsatsagi=, _vide_ =jirga=.

=matsarmama=, Physalis angulata, L. and P. minima, L. (Solanaceæ); common weeds of waste places with inflated calyx enclosing a small berry; (related to the Cape Gooseberry, P. peruviana); used medicinally. Etym. _matsarmama_ = gall-bladder; also called =mai-lalita=—_lalita_ = a small leather pouch. Syn. ?=domashin maza= (Katag.).

=maye=, _vide_ under =shiwaka=.

=mazakwa=, a dry-season var. of Guinea Corn; _vide_ under =dawa=.

=mazarin kyanwa=, an insect-gall on the grass =katsaimu=, _q.v._

=meḍi=, a fibre from the root-bark of the shrub =ḍunḍu=, _q.v._ and from other acacias, root of the “dum” palm &c. _cf._ =yawa=, and _vide_ =ḍakwora=, =goriba=, &c. Used for network bags, &c., mending calabashes, &c.

=mijin kaḍai=, _vide_ under =kaḍanya=.

=mijin goro=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=minjiriya=, _vide_ =majiriya=.

=minu=, the smallest kola nuts, _vide_ under =goro=.

=miya tsanya= (Sok. and Kats.), Sida rhombifolia, L. (Malvaceæ); an undershrub or perennial weed with small yellow flowers and a fibrous bark. (Etym. “grasshoppers’ greens”). It is one of the plants included in =kaskaifi=, _q.v._

=moda=, Sansevieria sp. (Liliaceæ). “African Bowstring Hemp;” a stemless plant with long straight mottled leaves affording a useful fibre; root and leaf used medicinally.

=murli= = the unexpanded fronds of any palm (_kwakwa_, _giginya_, _goriba_, _tukuruwa_). _shedari_ = a mat made from _murlin giginya_.

=murtsunguwa=, a long-leaved stemless plant, sometimes added to arrow-poison. Syn. ?=gunguma=.

=muruchi=, the young germinating shoots of the Fan Palm, _vide_ =giginya=, used as a vegetable.

=muruchin bisa= or =m. sama=, a name for several species of orchid, growing as epiphytes on trees,—Ansellia congoensis and other spp. _vide_ =manta uwa=.

=muruchin daji=, a name for some ground orchids with long straight leaves; usually Habenaria spp. growing in wet places.

=muruchin jibba= or =m. jibji=, a species of fungus; _vide_ under =tumukun suri=.

=muruchin makaruwa=, Curculigo gallabatensis, Schweinf. (Amaryllideæ). A stemless plant with straight grass-like leaves, yellow flowers, and a thickened root-stock; syn. =doyar kurege=.

=N=

=naman kaza= (=naman angulu=, &c.), Agaricus campestris, the edible mushroom. (Etym. from the pale fleshy appearance of the cut surface, but sometimes also called =naman ḳassa=).

=nanafo=, Celosia trigyna, Linn. (Amaranthaceæ). An erect weed with white scarious flowers. Used as a medicine for tapeworm, &c.

=nanare= (Sok.), _vide_ under =shinkafa=.

=nanake=, Aspilia Kotschyi, Benth. and Hook. (Compositæ). A plant in the bush with rough foliage and deep purple flowers.

=nata=, _vide_ under =goro=.

=nobe=, Cymbopogon sennariensis, var. proximus, Stapf (Gramineæ). A fragrant grass, 2 to 3 feet high, with very narrow leaves; much used for thatch. _cf._ =tsabre=.

=nome= (Sok., &c.), Sesamum indicum, Linn. Sesame or Beni seed; _vide_ =riḍi=.

=nonon ḅariya=, Lactuca taraxacifolia, Sch. and Thonn. (Compositæ). A field weed with pale yellow flowers and milky juice. (_ḅariya_ = a species of gazelle).

=nonon giwa=, _vide_ =rahaina=.

=nonon gwanki=, Ficus sp. A tree of the fig tribe with milky juice.

=nonon kura=, Cucumis metuliferus, E. Mey. (Cucurbitaceæ). A climber with a cucumber-shaped fruit covered with large spines, scarlet when ripe. Also called =buran zaki=.

=nonon kurchiya=, Euphorbia hirta, Linn. (= E. pilulifera, &c.), a prostrate weed with clusters of small inconspicuous flowers and milky juice; used medicinally. (Allied species are included, e.g. E. convolvuloides, Hochst. &c.)

=nunu= (Sok. and Kano), the fruit of the tree =danya=, _q.v._

=P=

=parpatsi= or =farfatsi=, _vide_ =dandana=.

=pasa daga=, _vide_ =fasa daga=.

=pasa ḳabba=, _vide_ =fasa ḳabba=.

=pasa ḳwari=, _vide_ =fasa ḳwari=.

=piyaka= or =fiyaka=, _vide_ =jibda ḳassa=.

=punkaso=, _vide_ under =alkama=.

=R=

=Raḅa=, Cyanotis lanata, Benth. (Commelynaceæ); a somewhat succulent herb growing amongst grass, which is said to cause eczema of horses’ muzzles. (Etym. from _raḅa_ = dew, which is supposed to have a similar effect).

=rahaina=, Kigelia æthiopica, Decne, var. bornuensis, Sprague (Bignoniaceæ). “Sausage-tree.” A large shade tree with pendulous lurid purple flowers, and huge cucumber-shaped fruit. Syn. =rawuya= (Sok.), and =nonon giwa=.

=rai ḍore=, Cassia occidentalis, Linn. (Leguminosæ). An erect shrubby plant with pinnate leaves and yellow flowers, of the senna tribe; used medicinally for fevers, &c. (Etym. from attributed restorative powers). Syn. =sanga sanga= (Sok. and West), and =Ba-Zanfare= (Katagum and East).

=rake= (Kano, &c.), (Saccharum officinarum), Linn. (Gramineæ). One of the species of sugar-cane, grown near streams; =arakke= (Sok.). Called also =karan sariki=. _cf._ =takanḍa=.

=raken giwa= (or =takanḍar giwa=), Peucedanum sp. (Umbelliferæ); a shrub with pinnate leaves and fragrant sap; used as a scented fumigation for clothing. _cf._ =takanḍar giwa=.

=rama=, Hibiscus cannabinus, Linn. (Malvaceæ), and perhaps H. lunariifolius, Willd. “Bastard Jute,” “Indian Hemp.” A tall straight annual grown for its bark fibre from which cordage is made; leaves acid, used in soup. Black, white and red varieties are recognized according to the tint of the bark—_jar rama_, _farar rama_; _ḳare aiki_ (Sok.), with black and red varieties (etym. because considered the last agricultural labour of the season); or _koka rani_ (Katsina), and _dirin da rani_ (Kano), _jirin da rani_ (Bauchi), _ganwon rama_ = coil of _rama_ bark or fibre. _ḍinkin rama_ = leaves of _rama_ used for soup; _vide_ under _ḍinya_. _ḳeḳasheshe_ or _tsiyayi_ = peeled stems of _rama_, used in medicine in occult practice and as a sooty application when burnt applied for mural decoration. _ramar rafi_, &c. wild varieties of the same botanical species; _vide_ _ḳarama mowa_. _ramar kurumi_, _vide_ _kwankwarimi_; _rama rama_, _vide_ _ramaniya_.

=ramaniya= (Sok. Kats., &c.), Urena lobata, Linn. (Malvaceæ). A hard erect shrub, 2 to 3 feet high with pink flowers; the bark yields a strong fibre. Syn. =rama rama=, or =ka fi rama=; (=baḳin garamani= and =jan tsu=, _vide_ under =garamani= and =tsu=). _cf._ also =uwar maganni=.

=ramno= (Sok.), or =rauno= (Kano), chopped grass mixed with building clay to act as mortar. _cf._ =jan raumo=.

=rapasa=, _vide_ under =ḳurar shanu=.

=rariyar ḳassa= (Kontagora), Chrysanthellum procumbens, Pers. (Compositæ); a small wayside weed with yellow flowers.

=rauma fada=, _vide_ =roma fada=.

=rawaya=, Cochlospermum tinctorium, Rich. (Bixaceæ); a common shrub with yellow rose-like flowers and a yellow root used as a dye and in cooking. Syn. zunzuna.

=rawuya=, _vide_ =rahaina=.

=riḍi=, or =liḍi=, Sesamum indicum, Linn. (Pedaliaceæ). Sesame, Gingelly, Beni Seed. _Simsim_ (Arab.). An annual with white or red flowers, cultivated for its oily seeds; leaves and seeds used as food. Syn. =nome=, _cf._ =karkashi=. _marasiri_ (Ful. West) = sesamum porridge. _samsam_ or _samsamum_ (Arab. _simsim_), an extract probably of sesame, used as an eye medicine.

=riḍin barewa= or =nomen barewa=, Sesamum alatum, Thonn. (Pedaliaceæ). A wild species with divided leaves and beaked pods; not eaten.

=riḍin kada=, _vide_ =ḍeiḍoyar kare=.

=riḍin tuji=, Fimbristylis exilis, R. and S. (Cyperaceæ). A small sedge; _vide_ =gemen kusu=.

=rigyar biri=, _vide_ =tsuwawun biri=.

=rigya kafi= (Sok.), a native prescription and reputed remedy for syphilis composed of the plants =damaigi=, =fara biya rana=, =fasa ḳabba= and =ḳuru ḳuru=, _q.v._

=rimani= = the fruit of the pomegranate, Punica Granatum, L. _cf._ =ruman=, the flowers of the same.

=rimi= (Kano, &c.) or =rini= (Sok.), Eriodendron orientale, Steud. (Malvaceæ). White Silk Cotton Tree. The silky floss around the seeds forms the upholstery material called “Kapok;” =rimin Masar=, a variety without thorns on the branches when young, and with a superior cotton.

=rimin agwada=, Sopubia simplex, Hochst. and other spp. (Scrophularineæ). An erect herb in the bush with narrow leaves and pink flowers. (_agwada_ = Rock dassie, Procavia sp.).

=rimin samari=, Oldenlandia grandiflora, Hiern. (Rubiaceæ). A common slender-branched herb of fields and waste places, with bright red 4-partite flowers. Also O. senegalensis, Hiern. a similar plant with smaller less conspicuous flowers. Used as a love-potion or charm for popularity.

=rimni= (Sok.), Salix sp. (Salicaceæ). A common species of willow on river-banks. Syn. =ba ruwana=, _q.v._

=risga=, a cultivated plant with an edible tuber. Plectranthus sp. (Labiatæ); like the “Kaffir Potato,” P. esculentus, N.E. Br.

=risgar kurege=, Asclepias lineolata, Schl. (Asclepiadeæ). A shrub with milky juice and umbels of purple flowers; the spindle-shaped root tubers are used medicinally.

=roba=, Panicum pyramidale, Lam. (Gramineæ). A tall grass of marshy places; (probably applied to several grasses).

=rogo=, Manihot palmata, Muell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ). Sweet Cassava or Manioc; and Manihot utilissima, Pohl. Bitter Cassava. The former or non-poisonous species is the one chiefly cultivated in Nigeria, _cf._ =ḳarasa=. _rogon sabara_ or _r. magariya_ (Sok.) are terms used for Cassava grown in arid areas (=sabara= and =magariya=, _q.v._ being shrubs of dry scrub districts).

=rogon biri=, _vide_ =ḳosain rogo=.

=rogon daji=, a species of vine with thickened roots; _vide_ =tsibiri kinkini=; (also applied to other twiners with thickened roots, e.g. a wild species of yam, Dioscorea sp., a species of Clematis, &c.).

=rojiya= or =lojiya=, a perennial herb (Asclepiadeæ), with long narrow leaves milky juice and an edible succulent tuberous root-stock. _rojiyar mahalba_, Xysmalobium Heudelotianum, Decne (Asclepiadeæ); a somewhat similar plant with milky juice, short leaves, lateral umbels of small flowers, and a harder tuberous root edible when cooked. (The names _bauje_, _saniya_ and _daiyo_, probably refer to the same or allied Asclepiad plants or “Milkweeds,” with tuberous roots, e.g. Schizoglossum Petherickianum, Oliv. which has short broad leaves and umbels of white flowers).

=roko=, a var. of bean; _vide_ under =wake=.

=rubiya= or =lubiya= = the edible figs of several species of Ficus:—=ḅaure=, =cheḍiya=, =durumi=, =gamji=, _q.v._ (The name is sometimes extended to include other fruits of similar shape, &c. e.g. dates, the grapes of =dafara=, _q.v._, &c.).

=ruguguwa=, _vide_ under =kabewa=.

=ruḳuḅu=, _vide_ =zaḳi banza=.

=roma fada= or =rauma fada=, Scoparia dulcis, L. (Scrophularineæ). “Sweet Broom Weed.” A common herb with small white flowers. (Etym. from use as a charm to ensure “court favour;” _roma_ = _rakiya_, to act as companion or sponsor). _namijin roma fada_, Heliotropium zeylanicum, Lam. (Boragineæ); a weed used medicinally; _vide_ under =Gwanja kusa=; (probably applied to several plants with some resemblance to =roma fada=).

=ruman= = flowers of pomegranate; _vide_ =rimani=; (_ruman_, the Indian name).

=rumana=, Gladiolus spicatus, Klatt. G. quartinianus, A. Rich. G. unguiculatus, Baker, and other species (Irideæ). Common gladioli with edible corms.

_rumanan doki_, a plant with a larger bulb used as a medicine for horses. A large species in the Benué district is sold for making a sweet food _kunun zaḳi_.

=rumaya=, a slender grass with tough stems, used for cordage, tying thatch, &c.

=rumfar gada=, Cassytha guineensis, Sch. et Thon. (Lauraceæ), a parasitic leafless and rootless twiner like dodder, with wiry stems and small clusters of white flowers and berries. Syn. ?=siliyar sulkuwa=.

=runhu= or =rumfu=, Cassia goratensis, Fres. (Leguminosæ); a small tree with yellow flowers; an infusion of the leaves and pods is used as a wash in parturition, and for fever. _cf._ =rai ḍore=.

=rura=, Parinarium curatellæfolium, Planch. (Rosaceæ); a small tree with an edible mealy pear-shaped fruit; _vide_ under =Gwanja kusa= and =ḳaiḳai=.

=S=

=sa baba sata=, a species of cultivated bean; ?the “yam bean,” _vide_ =giri giri=.

=saḅada= or =safada=, _vide_ under =ḍorowa=.

=sabani=, Tephrosia elongata, Hook. (Leguminosæ); a tall slender plant with pink flowers and pinnate leaves; used as a medicinal charm. Syn. =samachi=. (Etym. “rupture of friendship”—if a leaflet be sharply pulled apart it tears in a forked manner suggesting the parting of roads or disagreement, such as occurs when one challenges another to split it straight), _cf._ =shege=.

=sabara=, Guiera senegalensis, Lam. (Combretaceæ). A shrub with whitish dusty-looking leaves, very abundant in dry infertile regions; a typical plant of dry scrub localities with a small rainfall. Leaves used in various ways as medicine and also as food in some northern districts; burnt to fumigate cattle-pens, &c. to keep off flies; as _maganin rongomi_ by women after parturition; in Sokoto a recognized prophylactic of leprosy; &c., &c.

=saḅi=, _vide_ =baya=, Panicum albidulum, Kunth. (Gramineæ). A wild grass with edible grain gathered by sweeping a calabash across the heads. (Etym. from the method of gathering _saḅi_, and thus perhaps applied to more than one species). _cf._ =garaji=.

=saḅi= or =shiḅa= = carded cotton; _vide_ under =abduga=.

=sabko= (or =sauko=) =bubukuwa=, _vide_ =bubukuwa=.

=sabulun kuyangi=, Zornia diphylla, Pers. (Leguminosæ), a low herb with paired leaflets; sometimes used as fodder and medicinally; said to form a slight lather with water. (Etym. “slaves’ soap”). Syn. =sabulun sallo=.

=sabulum mata= (Sok. Zanf. and Kats.), Vernonia primulina, O. Hoffm. (Compositæ). An erect plant, 1 to 2 feet high, with blue thistle-like flowers. Syn. =tozalin kura=.

=safa= (Sok.), or =shafa= (Kano and East), spring onion; _vide_ =albasa=.

=sa furfura= (Sok.), Crotalaria polychotoma, Taub. (Leguminosæ). A small herb with yellow flowers and pale pubescent leaves; supposed, if accidentally given to an infant, to cause the hair to turn grey before puberty. ?Syn. =yauki=, _q.v._

=sagagi= (Katagum), Indigofera simplicifolia, Lam. (Leguminosæ). A stiff-branched undershrub with small narrow pods.

=sa hankaki dako=, Polygala arenaria, Willd. (Polygalaceæ). A small field herb, used medicinally in cases of serious internal disease, syphilis, &c. (Etym. “cause the crows to wait,” because supposed to be very poisonous). Syn. =sha ni ka san ni=; and =gujiyar dawaki= (Zanfara).