Traditional Food Plants of Kenya (National Museum of Kenya, 1999, 288 p.) Species accounts (introduction...) Acacia drepanolobium Sjstedt Acacia hockii De Wild. Acacia nilotica (L.) Del. Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. Acacia seyal Del. Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Schweinf. Adansonia digitata L. Aerva lanata (L.) Schultes Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin Amaranthus blitum L.* Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.* Amaranthus graecizans L. Amaranthus hybridus L.* Amaranthus sparganiocephalus Thell. Amaranthus spinosus L.* Annona senegalensis Pers. ssp. senegalensis Antidesma venosum Tul. Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anders. Asystasia mysorensis (Roth) T. Anders. Azanza garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillcoat Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. Balanites pedicellaris Mildbr. & Schlecht. Balanites rotundifolia (Van Tiegh.) Blatter Basella alba L. Berchemia discolor (Klotzsch) Hemsley Borassus aethiopum Mart. Boscia coriacea Pax Boswellia neglecta S. Moore Brassica carinata A. Br. Bridelia taitensis Vatke & Pax Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. Canthium glaucum Hiern Canthium lactescens Hiern Carissa edulis (Forssk.) Vahl Catha edulis Forssk. Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Mansf. Cleome gynandra L. Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt Coffea arabica L. Commelina africana L. Commelina benghalensis L. Commelina forskaolii Vahl Commiphora africana (A. Rich.) Engl. Commiphora rostrata Engl. Commiphora schimperi (O. Berg) Engl. Corchorus olitorius L. Corchorus trilocularis L. Cordia monoica Roxb. Cordia sinensis Lam. Crotalaria brevidens Benth. Crotalaria ochroleuca G. Don Cucumis dipsaceus Spach Cyperus blysmoides C. B. Cl. Cyphia glandulifera A. Rich. Dactyloctenium aegyptium (L.) Willd. Dactyloctenium giganteum Fischer & Schweick. Dialium holtzii Harms Dialium orientale Bak. f. Digera muricata (L.) Mart. Dioscorea bulbifera L. Dioscorea dumetorum (Kunth) Pax Dioscorea minutiflora Engl. Diospyros mespiliformis A. DC. Dobera glabra (Forssk.) Poir. Dovyalis abyssinica (A. Rich.) Warb. Dovyalis macrocalyx (Oliver) Warb. Eleusine coracana Gaertn. Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter Eriosema shirense Bak. f. Erucastrum arabicum Fisch. & Meyer Euclea divinorum Hiern Ficus sycomorus L. Ficus thonningii Bl. Flacourtia indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Flueggea virosa (Willd.) J. Voigt Garcinia livingstonei T. Anderson Grewia bicolor Juss. Grewia tembensis Fres. Grewia tenax (Forssk.) Fiori Grewia villosa Willd. Hoslundia opposita Vahl Hydnora abyssinica Schweinf. Hyphaene compressa H. Wendl. Hyphaene coriacea Gaertner Ipomoea aquatica Forssk. Ipomoea lapathifolia Hall. f. Ipomoea longituba Hall. f. Ipomoea mombassana Vatke Ipomoea oenotherae (Vatke) Hall. f. Kedrostis pseudogijef (Gilg) C. Jeffrey Kigelia pinnata (Jacq.) DC. Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standley Landolphia buchananii Stapf Landolphia kirkii Dyer Lannea alata (Engl.) Engl. Lannea edulis (Sond.) Engl. Lannea rivae (Chiov.) Sacleux Lannea schimperi (A. Rich.) Engl. Lannea triphylla (A. Rich.) Engl. Lantana trifolia L. Launaea cornuta (Oliv. & Hiern) Jeffr. Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne. Lippia carviodora Meikle Lippia kituiensis Vatke Maerua decumbens (Brongn.) De Wolf Manilkara mochisia (Baker) Dubard Manilkara sansibarensis (Engl.) Dubard Manilkara sulcata (Engl.) Dubard Meyna tetraphylla (Hiern) Robyns Mimusops fruticosa Bojer Mimusops kummel A. DC. Momordica rostrata A. Zimm. Mondia whitei (Hook. f.) Skeels Moringa oleifera Lam. Myrianthus holstii Engl. Nymphaea nouchali Burm. f. var. caerulea (Savigny) Verdc. Oxygonum sinuatum (Meisn.) Dammer Pachystigma schumannianum (Robyns) Bridson & Verdc. Pappea capensis Eckl. & Zeyh. Parinari curatellifolia Planch. ex Benth. Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Phoenix reclinata Jacq. Piliostigma thonningii (Schum.) Milne-Redh. Portulaca oleracea L. Rhus natalensis Krauss Rhus tenuinervis Engl. Rhus vulgaris Meikle Rubus apetalus Poir. Rubus pinnatus Willd. Rubus volkensii Engl. Rumex usambarensis (Damm.) Damm. Saba comorensis (Bojer) Pichon Salacia madagascariensis (Lam.) DC. Salvadora persica L. Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. Scutia myrtina (Burm. f.) Kurz Sesamum calycinum Welw. Sesamum orientale L. Solanum nigrum L. Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Sorindeia madagascariensis DC. Stathmostelma propinquum (N. E. Br) Schltr. Strychnos henningsii Gilg Strychnos madagascariensis Poir. Strychnos spinosa Lam. Syzygium cordatum Krauss Syzygium guineense (Willd.) DC. Tamarindus indica L. Thylachium thomasii Gilg Tylosema fassoglense (Schweinf.) Torre and Hillc. Urtica massaica Mildbr. Uvaria acuminata Oliv. Uvaria scheffleri Diels. Vangueria apiculata K. Schum. Vangueria infausta Burch. ssp. rotundata (Robyns) Verdc. Vangueria madagascariensis Gmel. Vangueria volkensii K. Schum. var. volkensii Vatovaea pseudolablab (Harms) J. B. Gillett Vernonia cinerea Less. Vigna friesiorum Harms var. angustifolia Verdc. Vigna membranacea A. Rich. Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. Vitex doniana Sweet Vitex ferruginea Schum. & Thonn. Vitex mombassae Vatke Vitex payos (Lour.) Merr. Ximenia americana L Zanthoxylum chalybeum Engl. var. chalybeum Ziziphus abyssinica A. Rich. Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. Ziziphus mucronata Willd. Termitomyces-mushrooms (edible fungi)

Traditional Food Plants of Kenya (National Museum of Kenya, 1999, 288 p.)

Species accounts

Key

Species importance

The importance of a specific species for a particular use is indicated as follows:

	+++	Locally very important
	++	Locally important
	+	Locally less important

Acacia drepanolobium Sjstedt

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

English: whistling thorn, black-galled acacia Kamba: kiunga, iunga (plural) Kikuyu: muruai Kipsigis: mukuruit, muguruit Luo: dunga, adugo, dugna, oduga Maa: eluai, eluaai, iluaa (plural) Mbeere: mugambu, mugunga Pokot: sitowonyon, stoghon (singular), stoghoonei (plural) Rendille: fulaay Samburu: luai, luoi Somali: flai Swahili: mbalibali Teso: eyelel Turkana: eyelel

Description: A spiny bush, shrub or small tree to 6 m high with an open spreading crown, flat-topped at maturity. More commonly a small shrub 1.5-3.5 m. BARK: Grey, usually smooth, older bark finely fissured. THORNS: White, straight, some galled at their base. Galls fleshy, hollow, up to 5 cm in diameter, dark green to reddish purple when fresh, turning dark grey to black and usually inhabited by black or brown ants as they dry. FLOWERS: Numerous, in white heads. FRUIT: A narrow reddish brown pod.

Ecology: Grows in eastern and Central Africa, e.g. Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire). Found in Kenya in, e.g. Kaputei plains, Loita plains, Kedong valley, Lambwe Valley, Ndaragwa, Naivasha and Morupus (West Pokot), commonest at 1,300-2,400 m. Most common in open black clay plains, dry rocky hillsides or wooded grassland. Often the dominant shrub in plains with black cotton soil at medium altitudes; less often in red clay soil and rocky areas. Rainfall: 500-1,300 mm. Zones III - V.

Uses: FOOD: Fresh soft fleshy galls edible (+). Galls have a sweet, often slightly bitter taste. Very young galls are green to dark green, bitter and filled with fluid. As they mature they turn reddish purple and hollow. This is the right stage to eat them. Also at this stage stinging ants bore into them at the thorn base and inhabit them. With age, the galls harden, become fibrous, greyish-black and unpalatable. Inner bark fibre, which has a sweetish bitter taste, may be chewed (Machakos). Galls are a favourite food for herdsmen.

OTHER: Branches are used in fencing. Mature plants are a good source of fuelwood (++). Leaves, shoots and fresh soft galls are good fodder for goats, camels (+++), cattle and donkeys (+). Giraffes like browsing on this plant.

Season: Fresh galls found during active growth, mainly after rainy season. Flowers in October-November in Naivasha and Kajiado.

Status: Locally very common.

Remarks: A quite variable species in Kenya.

Acacia hockii De Wild.

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

Kamba: kinyua Kikuyu: mugaa Luo: arumbe, oriang' Maa: enchapalani, orcharpalani (Ngong) Mbeere: munyua Pokot: chuwan Teso: ekisim Tugen: tilatil

Description: A usually small acacia, 2-4 m high with a rather open crown. Occasionally a tree to 8 m. BARK: Yellow to greenish yellow, peeling. THORNS: Paired, straight on relatively few branches. FLOWERS: In yellow or orange heads. FRUIT: Pods reddish brown, narrow, straight or crescent shaped.

Ecology: From West Africa east to Sudan and south to Mozambique. Widely distributed in most parts of Kenya and common on sloping rocky bushed grassland, 0-2,400 m. Associated with poor soils, especially sands. Often the dominant shrub. Rainfall: 650-800 mm or occasionally more. Zones III-V.

Uses: FOOD: Inner bark fibre chewed for its juice which has a sweet taste (+++) (Kamba, Maasai, Mbeere). The gum is edible (Kamba, Maasai, Mbeere).

OTHER: Fuelwood (++), fodder, fence.

Status: May be locally common.

Remarks: The acacia with the sweetest bark string in Kenya.

Season: Flowers in December-February (Kitui, Machakos, Kajiado).

Acacia nilotica (L.) Del.

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

Borana: burquqe, burquqis Chonyi: mtsemeri, munga Digo: kigundi, chigundigundi English: Egyptian mimosa, Egyptian thorn Gabra: burquqe, burq'uq'e Giriama: msemeri, munga, muhegakululu Ilchamus: lkiloriti, lkilorit Kamba: kisemei (Machakos), musemeli (Kitui) Kambe: mtsemeri, munga Keiyo: kiprutyot Kikuyu: mugaa Kipsigis: chebitet, kopko Maa: olkiloriti Mbeere: mucemeri Orma: chalado Pokot: kopko, kapka Rendille: ilgiliti Samburu: lkiloriti Somali: marah, guider, langid, marai, tuwer Swahili: mgunga, mjungu, mtetewe Taita: shighiri Teso: ekapelimen Tharaka: mwemba Tugen: chebiwo, chebiwa Turkana: ekapilimen, ekapelimen

Description: A small- to medium-sized acacia, usually 3-5 m, with scattered branches (especially in young plants) or with a spreading umbrella-shaped crown and low branches (in older plants). BARK: Dark brown to black on the trunk. Branches reddish brown. THORNS: Branches armed with paired strong spines. FLOWERS: In bright yellow to orange heads. FRUIT: A grey to purple-black, straight or slightly curved indehiscent pod up to 12 cm long by 1.2 cm wide, with a whitish bloom and a gummy pulp.

Ecology: A species widely spread in tropical and subtropical Africa and east to India, from Ethiopia and Sudan to north-eastern South Africa and northern Namibia. Widely distributed in Kenya in acacia bushland and wooded grassland, e.g. growing in Kaputei plains (Kajiado), Kedong valley and Kerio Valley, 0-2,500 m. Common in both dry lowlands and highlands. Soils variable from sandy to black cotton. Seems to prefer gravelly red soils. Rainfall: Commonest at 500-800 mm. Zones III - VI.

Uses: FOOD: Bark (Kamba, Maasai, Mbeere) and the gummy fruit pulp (Pokot, Turkana, Rendille) boiled in water, sugar added and drunk as tea (+++). Pods are a famine food (Mbeere).

FOOD/MEDICINAL: Bark and roots boiled in milk, blood (Rendille) or soup, especially by warriors for appetite and general fitness (Maasai, Rendille, Samburu). Tea made from fruit drunk for stomach problems. Boiled root extract drunk as a tea for chest pain, abdominal pain and tuberculosis (Samburu). Root or bark extract taken alone or boiled in soup for indigestion (constipation), stomach upset (Maasai, Samburu), as an emetic (Samburu) and for hepatitis (Samburu).

MEDICINAL: Bark and root used in the treatment of venereal diseases (Maasai, Kamba, Tharaka). Cold bark infusion drunk to treat nausea caused by drinking milk. Chewed leaf or boiled bark applied on wounds, burns and sore eyes (Samburu). Inner bark chewed or boiled as cure for stomach-ache and diarrhoea (Pokot). Inner bark chewed for sore throat and cough (Maasai). Boiled leaf extract used for chest pain or pneumonia (Maasai). Bark and roots used as an aphrodisiac, and roots for gonorrhoea, impotence and chest diseases (Maasai). Bark decoction given to children for fever (Maasai). Sap from twigs (Pokot) and squeezed pods (Turkana, Pokot, Tharaka) applied to infected eyes. Bark infusion used against "malaria" (Pokot) and for stomach problems in goats (Pokot). Infusion of any plant part used to treat headache (Somali, Boran). Root bark (Mbeere) and fruit (Kamba) decoction used for coughs; boiled bark with fat used for painful joints, backache and stomach ulcers (Pokot).

OTHER: Fencing material, fuelwood (+++), charcoal (+++), fodder for all livestock (+). Bark boiled with meat to soften it (Pokot). Bark used for tanning (Mbeere). Bark and roots are a source of dye for baskets (Machakos). Thorns used for piercing ears (Kamba, Tharaka), removing jiggers (Mbeere) and as plugs for gourds (Kamba, Mbeere). Gum from fruit or bark used for attaching feathers to arrows (Mbeere). Wood hard and durable, used as posts for grain stores (Kamba).

CULTURAL/BELIEF: Ground bark used for rituals (Maasai). Fresh juice from fruit rubbed on eyelids to make them black during dances (Digo). Gum from fruits rubbed on hair by old men (Digo).

Season: Flowers in January (Kitui), May-June (Laikipia) or September-October (Naivasha, Kajiado). Fruits in August-September (Kitui) or October (Laikipia).

Management: Best propagated by direct sowing at site.

Status: Very common.

Remarks: This species is quite variable. Two subspecies occur in Kenya: ssp. subalata (Vatke) Brenan (syn: A. subalata Vatke) which is by far the commonest; ssp. leiocarpa is a coastal subspecies (Malindi, Pate Islands, Kiunga, into Somalia) with hairless fruit and young branches. At least seven subspecies are recognized, the others being found outside Kenya.

Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

Borana: burra diima, sadeema, sapans diima, iddado, baabido (gum) Daasanach: dang'ite Digo: kikwata English: gum arabic tree, Sudan gum arabic Gabra: iddaad'o Ilchamus: lderkesi Kamba: king'ole (Machakos), kikole, king'olola (north Kitui) Luo: kiluor, otiep Maa: olderkesi, enderkesi, interkes (plural), olbida Mbeere: mung'othi Orma: bura-diima Pokot: chemanga, chemankayan Rendille: hadhaadh, mirgi-abah (gum) Samburu: lderkesi, manok (gum) Somali: edad, edad-geri, adad, edaad Swahili: kikwata, mgunga Teso: ekunoit, ekodokodoi Turkana: ekunoit

Description: Shrub or small tree up to 9 m tall, more often 2-4 m high. Crown flat in mature trees. BARK: Scaly, yellowish brown or grey-brown. Branches armed. THORNS: Spines brown-black, usually arranged in threes at the leaf nodes, the middle one recurved, the others directed forwards. FLOWERS: Buds red, opening to long white or cream spikes, borne in twos or threes or singly. FRUIT: A flat brown, papery, prominently veined dehiscent pod to 10 cm long by 2 cm broad, often slightly constricted between some or all seeds. Seeds usually 3-5, greenish brown, flattened with a circular outline.

Ecology: From West Africa east to Egypt, south to South Africa and Namibia. Also found in Asia. Grows in Kenya, e.g. on Homa Hill, in the Rift Valley, Lokitaung and Mutha hill in dry Acacia-Commiphora bushland and wooded grassland, often forming a pure stand on raised rocky ground in very dry areas, 100-1,700 m. Prefers well-aerated soils, especially rocky, loam or sandy soils. Rainfall: 200-800 mm. Zones III-VII.

Uses: FOOD: A clear edible gum is produced by this tree (+++). This is the best acacia gum in Kenya, much treasured by pastoralists. To induce gum formation, a section of the bark is wounded or stripped off. In the wild state gum production is induced by natural factors. Plants in arid areas or in the dry season tend to produce better gum. This species produces the well-known gum arabic used in pharmaceutical, food and confectionery industries and in the manufacture of glue.

MEDICINAL: Juice obtained from fruits is used as eye medicine (Ilchamus).

OTHER: Fuelwood (++), charcoal, house poles (+), fencing. Bark a source of fibre. Leaves are goat (+++) and camel (++) fodder.

COMMERCIAL: Commercial gum is collected from the wild (Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo, Marakwet, Garissa, Samburu) mainly by children and women. It is usually picked for export to the Far East and Europe. The gum trade in Kenya is less lucrative than in Sudan and Somalia. The main reason is the poor quality of the gum, mainly due to the fact that various grades and types are mixed.

In Kenya, the gum exudes from the tree mainly as a result of natural causes or stress. In the Sudan, the business is old and well established. Here the plant is purposely injured during tapping to induce gum formation. The gum is ready for harvesting about a month after tapping. Collecting can be done over two or more months. Tapping may begin when the tree is four years old and a tree may produce gum up to the age of 15-20 years. Tapping tends to destroy the bark thus lowering production. In the Sudan, tapping is done with a small axe, mainly by removing a long strip of the outer bark from the branches, and is normally done in the dry season when the plant is in stress. The tappers are experienced and hence the quality is good. Kenyan gum, on the other hand, is traditionally collected by pastoralists. Until recently, the business only attracted a few Somali traders, but now the business is attracting full-time collectors and thus the quality of gum is improving.

The potential for development exists. High densities and sometimes pure stands of this species have been found in parts of Turkana and Baringo Districts, especially in northern Baringo, in Kakuma and along Kapedo-Lokichar road. Training of collectors, improved collecting methods and more organized marketing would be the way forward in developing this resource as the market for gum arabic is far from saturated. Currently the Sudan is the largest producer. Others include Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Season: Gum production is highest in August-September and February-March. Flowers in July (Kitui); fruits in August-September (Turkana, Baringo, Ngong).

Management: Best propagated by seed. Soaking in water for a day or nicking may improve germination.

Status: Locally common.

Remarks: This species is extremely variable. At least three varieties are found in Kenya:

· var. Senegal. Distribution: Moyale, Homa Hill, 100-1,700 m.

· var. kerensis Schweinf. Distribution: Lokitaung, Baringo, Mutha, 460-1,130 m. Gum of less superior quality than that of var. senegal.

· var. leiorachis Brenan. (Orma: bura-diima, Somali: adad-gher). This species often hybridizes with Acacia mellifera in Kajiado.

Acacia seyal Del.

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

English: whistling thorn Borana: waachu, waachu-adi, waaqu-hallu Gabra: iddaado, iddad'o Ilchamus: lerai, lera Kamba: kisewa (Machakos), mweya Kikuyu: mugaa Kipsigis: mugurit Luo: ali, ale, arombe Maa: olerai, elereta, elereta-nanyokie, oljerai, olerai-oibor (Ngong) Marakwet: rena, renon (plural) Mbeere: mureera Pokot: rena, chowogh, chuwugh Rendille: fulai Samburu: lerai, lera Somali: fullai (Mandera), fulai Teso: ekoramai Turkana: ekoromait, echekereng

Description: Thorny tree up to 10 m high with an open flat-topped crown at maturity. Trunk often with many bulging knots. BARK: Yellowish to greenish white or orange-red and powdery on the surface, green inside. THORNS: White, long, straight, in pairs. They may or may not be galled. FLOWERS: In bright yellow to orange fluffy heads. FRUIT: A slightly curved, narrow dehiscent pod.

Ecology: Widespread in eastern Africa from Egypt in the north to Malawi and Zambia in the south. In Kenya, absent in the coastal zone but widespread in the drier parts of the country in open or bushed grassland and woodland, especially at the foot of hills and on plains, 200-2,200 m, more common at about 1,500 m. Often found forming pure stands. Common on black cotton and rocky soils, less frequently on red soils. Zones III - V.

Uses: FOOD: Inner bark fibre chewed for its nice rather sweet taste (++). The tree produces an excellent clear gum (+++). Bark is ground and used to make tea (Maasai).

OTHER: Poles, fodder (++), bee forage, fuelwood (++), dye, charcoal (++).

COMMERCIAL: Gum occasionally exported along with gum arable but is less valuable as it cracks with time.

Season: Flowers in September-October (Naivasha, Kajiado).

Management: Best propagated by seed. Soaking in water for a day or nicking may improve germination.

Status: Common.

Remarks: Two varieties of this species occur in Kenya:

· var. seyal is the more common of the two and has no galls. Distribution: From Uganda and Tanzania north to Egypt. Altitude: 550-2,200 m.

· var. fistula (Schweinf.) Oliv. (Borana: wachu dima, Somali: fulaii wajol) has ant galls. Distribution: Baringo, Wajir, Isiolo, Marsabit. From Sudan, Somalia south to Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. Altitude: 200-1,750 m. Use: Gum edible and of some commercial value.

Acacia xanthophloea Benth., (English: fever tree, Naivasha thorn, Kamba: mweya, Maa: olerai) is a much larger acacia. It usually has the same uses and local names as A. seyal. Ecology: Most drier parts of Africa, and East Africa south to eastern Zimbabwe and KwaZulu Natal in South Africa.

Common at medium altitudes 1,400-2,300 m, especially Nairobi, Kajiado, Narok and Naivasha, especially in riverine conditions or places with high groundwater. Zones III-IV.

Acacia tortilis (Forssk.) Hayne

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

syn: A. spirocarpa A. Rich., A. raddiana Savi

Borana: dadach, dadacha, urbu-ree (fruits) Daasanach: seech-geebe, sies-geebe (plural) English: umbrella thorn Gabra: d'addaca Ilchamus: ltepes, lkunyi Kamba: mulaa, muaa, ulaa (fruits) Kipsigis: chebitet Maa: oltepesi, sagararam (fruit) Malakote: dadacha, dadwota, dadech (young) Marakwet: ses, sesai (plural), sesoy (plural) Mbeere: mugaa Meru: mugaa Orma: gudis Pokot: ses, sesyai (plural), sesoy (plural) Rendille: gahar khabdo (pods), dahar, qubdo Samburu: ltepes, sagaram (fruits) Somali: qurah Swahili: mgunga Tugen: siesiet, sesya Turkana: ewoi (mature), etir (young)

Description: A spiny acacia, usually 4-8 m high but reaching 20 m in riverine vegetation. Crown narrow when young, spreading, fiat-topped and umbrella-like at maturity. BARK: Longitudinally fissured, dark grey. THORNS: Branches armed at each node with a straight white thorn as well as two short grey sharply recurved spines. FLOWERS: In white heads. FRUIT: A green-yellow to brown pod, often curled into a ring or crescent shape. Seeds smooth, greenish grey.

Ecology: Widespread in Africa from Algeria and Senegal to Eritrea and south to Angola, Namibia and Mozambique. Widespread in Kenya in dry bushland, bushed grassland, wooded grassland, riverine vegetation and arid-land scrub, 600-1,500 m. Soils very variable, from sandy to black cotton. Common in red soils. It is among the most drought-resistant acacias in Kenya. Rainfall: 200-900 mm. Zones IV-VII.

Uses: FOOD: Ripe fresh pods are eaten but seeds are discarded (+) (Maasai, Pokot, Turkana, Somali, Gabra, Daasanach). The crunchy pods have a faint sweet taste. Pods (ng'itit) are pounded, sieved to remove fibrous particles and the flour mixed with blood and eaten (Turkana). The gum is also eaten (Pokot, Turkana, Somali) but is of inferior quality, sticky and may cause choking.

MEDICINAL: Boiled infusion of bark used for diarrhoea and stomach-ache (Pokot).

OTHER: Fuelwood (+++), charcoal (+++), fibre (++) for weaving traditional baskets (Tharaka), kyondo (Kamba), ciondo (Mbeere); ropes and string for building and other purposes are obtained from the bark. This fibre was much used before the introduction of sisal. Thorns used as pins or needles. Fibre chewed for coated tongue, kivuti (Kamba). Debarked roots, which have tiny perforations, are smoked as a remedy for colds (Kamba, Tharaka). Leaves, young shoots, and especially dry pods, are excellent fodder (+++) for livestock, especially goats and camels. Shade and as a meeting place (Turkana). Fencing using dry branches.

CULTURAL/BELIEFS: Roots burned to reconcile families (Tharaka). The tree is believed to attract lightning (Tharaka).

COMMERCIAL: This is the most important acacia among pastoral communities. Pods sold for livestock (Lodwar, Mandera) and human food (Lodwar). Fuelwood and charcoal from this plant are widely sold in small market centres.

Season: Fruits in September-October (Machakos, Kajiado, Kitui, Tharaka).

Management: Seeds taken straight from the pod seldom germinate. Dormancy is broken when they pass through an animal gut, by scarification, bush fire or by hot-water treatment. Should not be planted near homes because of its thorns and the likelihood of attracting caterpillars that feed on the plant at certain seasons. Protection of some areas for some time to give young plants time to grow above the reach of goats may be the best way of increasing this useful tree. As this species is very drought-resistant it has a high potential for desert reclamation.

Status: Locally very common.

Remarks: Two subspecies occur in Kenya:

· ssp. spirocarpa (A. Rich.) Brenan (syn: A. spirocarpa A. Rich.). Fruit hairy and glandular. Distribution: Moyale, Kima (Machakos), Taveta. Eritrea and the Sudan south to Mozambique and Angola.

· ssp. raddiana (Savi) Brenan var. raddiana (syn: A. raddiana Savi). Fruit non-hairy and non-glandular. Distribution: Coastal area, Faza and Manda Islands, Lamu. Algeria and Senegal east to Egypt, Somalia and Kenya.

Acokanthera schimperi (A. DC.) Schweinf.

Apocynaceae

syn: A. friesiorum Markgr.

Borana: karraru English: arrow-poison plant Gabra: k'arraaru Kamba: kivai Kikuyu: muricu Kipsigis: kelyot Maa: olmorijoi Meru: mururu Nandi: keliot Pokot: kelion Samburu: ilmorijoi Somali: marid Tugen: kelyon

Description: A dense round evergreen shrub or spreading sparsely branched tree to 7 m high. BARK: Fissured. LEAVES: Shiny, usually elliptic or ovate. FRUIT: Ellipsoid, to 2 cm long, green, turning green-yellow then dark purple on ripening. Seeds cream with an ivory appearance, compressed on one side.

Ecology: Widespread in East Africa, south to Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and north-eastern South Africa. Grows in Kenya in bushland on rocky hillsides, especially on red or black rocky soils, e.g. at Muumandu (Machakos), Ongata-Rongai, Oloosaiyeti hill (Kajiado), Rumuruti (Laikipia), Loita, and Chepelion (north Baringo), 1,200-2,400 m. Common in dry highland forests and bushed grasslands. Rainfall: 500-900 mm. Zone III.

Uses: FOOD: Ripe fruits are edible (+). They are sweet with a slightly bitter taste, but should only be eaten when ripe. Otherwise the whole plant is poisonous. Birds have been known to drop dead on sucking nectar from the flowers.

OTHER: This is the plant used to make arrow poison (Pokot, Kamba, Kipsigis, Embu, Tharaka, Maasai) and by many communities in Central, East and southern Africa. Roots (or other parts of the plant) are boiled in a secluded place for up to 10 hours, adding water up to 5 times. A black viscous substance results which, on drying, may be wrapped up and stored far from people. The poison should never be handled with bare hands if there is any break in the skin. On cooling, the poison may also be pounded to a powder and stored. It is softened again by adding a little water (Maasai). The poison is said to remain potent for a long time. Trees in the hotter areas give better poison and it softens or may melt in cold humid weather. Ash or Aloe sap may be put on top to prevent poison from oozing out (Kamba, Maasai). Acokanthera poison is a lethal cardiac poison only effective when it gets into the bloodstream. This is used against wild game ranging from dikdik to elephant, and small quantities may kill a human in 20 minutes or less. Antidote: In case of accident, squeeze out and suck contaminated blood from the point of entry immediately. (The person doing this should not have sores in his mouth.) Apply paraffin oil (Kitui).

COMMERCIAL: Poison sold in Kitui, said to be obtained from the coast. Arrows with poison from this plant sold (Mwala in Machakos, Tseikuru in Mwingi, Ishiara in Embu, Tharaka, Kitui). Locally, poison experts make this poison and apply it to other people's arrows for a fee (Loita in Narok).

Season: Fruits in May (Narok).

Remarks: A related species, but usually with larger fruits and leaves than those of A. schimperi: Acokanthera oppositifolia (Lam.) Codd, syn: A. longiflora Stapf has edible fruits too (English: arrow-poison tree, Swahili: msunguti, Kamba: kikweo, ngweo (fruit), Kikuyu: kiruru, mururu, kiururu, Mbeere: mururu, Meru: mururu, Taita: msungusungu). It is an evergreen shrub or small tree, normally 3-5 m high, exuding a white latex when any part is injured. Bark grey, rough. Leaves opposite, shiny, elliptic to obovate, broadly ovate with a sharp tip. Flowers in clusters, made up of 5 parts, with a pink tube and white lobes. Fruit oval, 2-3 cm long. Distribution: Kanzalu Range and Kalama (Machakos), Kiambu, Nairobi. Also in Tanzania, south to South Africa. Habitat: Bushland (especially on rocky hillsides) and riverine forest edges and dry highland forests, up to 2,400 m. Soils: Rocky, red clay, clay-loam. Rainfall: 600-1,000 mm. Uses: Fruit edible when ripe (+), sweet and rather bitter. Latex from fruit used as chewing gum by children. Only ripe fruits should be eaten. The roots are occasionally used to make arrow poison (Kamba, Pokot, Kipsigis). A shade and ornamental tree. Season: Fruits in February-March (Machakos). Status: Uncommon. Remarks: Plant roots and other plant parts may be poisonous.

Adansonia digitata L.

Bombacaceae

Chonyi: muyu, mauyu (fruits) Digo: mbuyu Embu: muramba English: baobab Giriama: mbuyu, muuyu Kamba: muamba, mwaamba, mauyu Kambe: muyu, mauyu (fruits) Maa: olmesera Malakote: mubuyu Mbeere: muramba Meru: muramba Orma: yak Samburu: lamai Sanya: yaka Somali: yak (Tana River), jag Swahili: mbuyu, muuyu Taita: mlamba (mbale) Tharaka: muramba, muguna-kirindi

Description: A grotesque-looking deciduous tree to 15 m, with a disproportionately large trunk and twisted branching habit. Trunk soft, fibrous with a smooth grey surface. LEAVES: Digitate. Leaflets to 13 cm long. FLOWERS: Large, white. FRUIT: To 25 cm long, with shiny yellowish green or rusty soft hairs and a hard oval or round shell, often grooved longitudinally. Seeds hard, embedded in a cream or white pulp.

Ecology: Somalia to southern Africa. In Kenya, a common plant in the coastal region but which also grows further inland, e.g. Taveta, Kibwezi, south-eastern Makueni, dry parts of Kitui, Meru National Park and at Torosei in Kajiado, 0-1,300 m. Also planted as an ornamental outside this range. Grows in dry low country in Sterculia-Delonix alata-Acacia-Commiphora bushland and in low, hot, high-humidity coastal areas. Soils varied, but common on red soils, sandy loam and in rocky areas. Rainfall: 300-900 mm. Zones II-VI.

Uses: FOOD: The dry cream-coloured pulp is eaten raw (+++) or is dissolved in water, stirred to a milky state (milk may be added), seeds sieved off and the juice used as sauce (mboga) or added to porridge. Coconut juice is normally added (Giriama). Seeds are roasted like groundnuts (Kitui, Tharaka). Soft tuber-like root tips are cooked and eaten in times of famine. Germinating seed roots are also eaten. Young leaves are used as a vegetable (Giriama, Mbeere). Normally mixed with more coarse vegetables like cassava leaves (Giriama). The pulp-coated seeds (mabuyu) are coloured, sugar-coated and sold as sweets in coastal towns (Swahili).

MEDICINAL: Bark decoction used for steam bathing of infants with high fever. Juice made from pulp is drunk to treat fever (Giriama).

OTHER: Fibre from trunk used as string and for weaving baskets and ropes. To obtain fibre, two cuts, one above and the other below, are made on the trunk and strips of string pulled out (the trunk is fibrous from surface to the centre). Strings for baskets are first chewed to soften them (Kamba). Tree used for placing beehives. Trunks damaged, e.g. by elephants, are used as shelter in shambas (Kamba, Giriama) and as a hiding place during war (Tharaka). Bark used for roofing and making temporary structures (Giriama). Appearance of new leaves or flowers signals the start of the rainy season (Kamba, Mbeere). Fallen trees improve the soil quality considerably. Fruit shells are used as fuelwood, containers, bowls and for making a variety of items, including rat traps (Giriama). The fruit pulp mixed with fig-tree latex is used as birdlime. The shoot and trunk are eaten by elephants, the trunk is also a source of water. Fallen leaves are eaten by livestock.

CULTURAL/BELIEFS: A tree surrounded by complex myths and beliefs among most peoples in areas where it grows. Young plants not cut at all (Tharaka), while large trees are not debarked during or just before rains (Kamba) for fear of rain failure. A sacred and peaceful tree (Giriama). A cut tree is said to bleed like a human being, and this brings bad luck to whoever cuts it (Giriama). A person is believed to turn into the opposite sex if he/she walks round it with a goat (Meru).

COMMERCIAL: Large quantities of fruits harvested and sold in coastal areas. Coloured pulp sold as sweets. Fibre sold in markets (Tseikuru, Mwingi, Tharaka). Baskets (ciondo, syondo) sold in curio shops. Usually more expensive than sisal baskets.

Management: Propagated by seed. Scarify or put seed in boiling water and let cool together. Naturally the seed may take several years before germination, hence the belief that it only germinates after abandoning the present homestead (Giriama). Very slow growing, the tree should not be planted near houses. Lateral roots may reach a length of 100 m or more. It is said to produce its first fruits after 60 years (Kitui).

Season: Flowers in October. Leaves in November-December. Fruits ready in July-September.

Status: Locally very common.

Remarks: Eating much fruit pulp with little else is said to cause weakness and swelling of joints. Up to three types of the tree are recognized by farmers through taste (some sweeter than others), and size and shape of the tree or its fruits as well as season of flowering.

Aerva lanata (L.) Schultes

Amaranthaceae

Borana: daraara, boraati Chonyi: chivuma nyuchi Digo: chivwa kuku Giriama: kivuma nyuchi Kambe: chivuma nyuchi Maa: eleturot, ediati-ormwaate Pokot: chepiskut, chepkumot Sanya: wario Somali: fod cadde Swahili: kinongo Tugen: simetwo

Description: Erect, decumbent or scandent perennial woody herb usually 0.3-1 m high, occasionally to 2 m, usually with numerous ascending branches. Young stems covered with soft hairs. LEAVES: Round to elliptic, usually covered with woolly hairs. FLOWERS: In dense clusters, look like cream or greenish white wool.

Ecology: Widespread in the tropics and subtropics of the world. From West Africa to Egypt and south to South Africa. Widespread in Kenya in open grassland, seasonally waterlogged areas, roadsides, forest edges and rocky areas, 0-2,200 m. Zones III-VII.

Uses: FOOD: Leaves eaten as a vegetable (++) (Giriama, Duruma, Chonyi).

MEDICINAL: Decoction of the leaves used for bathing babies suffering from malaria.

OTHER: Chicken feed (Digo). White wool used for stuffing pillows (Tharaka).

Status: Very common.

Albizia amara (Roxb.) Boivin

Mimosaceae (Fabaceae)

Borana: boria Kamba: kyundua, kiundua Maa: orperelong'o Pokot: kukutwo, panan Somali: gisrip, gisrep Tugen: kukutwo

Description: An open tree to 8 m high or more. BARK: Brown, fissured. LEAVES: Bipinnately compound. FLOWERS: In cream heads. FRUIT: A long, flat, brown pod.

Ecology: Found in India and Sri Lanka and in East Africa south to north-eastern South Africa. Widespread in Kenya in bushland, especially in red and sandy soils, 500-2,000 m. Rainfall: 500-800 mm. Zones IV-V.

Uses: FOOD: Gum is edible (++). Stems are used in the preparation of soup (+++). Pieces are cut, sun dried and the extract added to soup (Maasai). The soup is stirred vigorously and served. At most, the pieces may be used three times. An important soup additive for the Maasai.

OTHER: A good source of fuelwood and charcoal (+++).

Status: Locally common.

Remarks: Two subspecies occur in Kenya:

· ssp. amara distinguished by its relatively fewer leaflets
· ssp. sericocephala extending to southern Africa.

Many other plant species are used in the preparation of soup, especially by pastoral communities. The Maasai use at least 80 species in soup preparation. While some are used as appetizers and to keep fit, others have a drugging effect meant to make warriors fearless. Many have an emulsifying effect on meat fat. The majority are used by warriors (moran) in the wilderness.

Amaranthus blitum L.*

Amaranthaceae

syn: A. lividus L.

English: purple amaranth Kikuyu: terere Kipsigis: mborochet, mborochik Kisii: emboga Luhya: omboga Luhya (Bukusu): litoto Luhya (Maragoli): tsimboga Luo: ododo Meru: rwoga

Description: A branched, erect or prostrate herb to 50 cm. LEAVES: Long petioles and an ovate lamina to 10 cm long. The tip has a characteristic notch. FLOWERS: Green, borne in axillary and terminal spikes.

Ecology: Grows in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. This species is found in the central and western parts of Kenya, especially Kisii, Kericho, Bomet and Nandi Districts, in wet areas, on waste ground and in cultivated land, 800-2,400 m. Zones I-III.

Uses: FOOD: Leaves and young shoots used as a vegetable (+++) (Kikuyu, Nandi, Kipsigis, Marakwet, Luhya, Luo, Kisii). An important leafy vegetable for the Kisii and Kipsigis who cultivate it in kitchen gardens. COMMERCIAL: Sold in Kericho, Kisii and Kisumu markets. Occasionally seen in Nairobi markets.

Remarks: Two subspecies are recognized by Townsend in Flora of Tropical East Africa:

· ssp. lividus (syn. A. blitum) is generally larger, erect with larger fruit and leaves.
· ssp. polygonoides is smaller and normally prostrate.

Amaranthus dubius Mart. ex Thell.*

Amaranthaceae

Digo: chiswenya English: amaranth Giriama: kiswenya, kiswenya-kithithe (small form) Ilchamus: raprapa, i-okuronit, i-okuroniti Kamba: w'oa, telele (Kitui), terere (Mwingi) Kikuyu: terere Kipsigis: kelichot Kisii: emboga Luhya (Bukusu): emboka, litoto Luhya: lidodo Luhya (Tachoni): lidodo Luo: ododo, omboga Maa: nanyi, nyanyi Marakwet: kipkanding'wa Mbeere: muterere Pokot: ptanya Samburu: nyoni, nterere, ntererei, mir Swahili: mchicha Taita: kichanya, kizenya Tharaka: terere

Description: An erect branched herb up to 1 m or more, resembling the spiny amaranth, A. spinosus, but without spines. Stems ridged. LEAVES: Simple, long petiolate, alternate, usually with an ovate lamina to 8 cm long, veins conspicuous underneath. FLOWERS: Borne in clusters, in the axils and in terminal branched heads or spikes. FRUIT: Covered by bracts and bracteoles which are the more visible structures of the flowering part. Seeds black, shiny.

Ecology: Grows in most tropical parts of the world and usually found in most sub-humid parts of Kenya below 2,000 m. A common herb in most towns in Kenya and commonly found on cultivated land, roadsides and flood plains. Cultivated a great deal in kitchen gardens in western Kenya and among the Mijikenda of Coast Province. Zones I-V.

Uses: FOOD: Leaves and tender shoots are used as a vegetable (+++), sometimes cooked with more bitter vegetables such as Cleome gynandra (Luo, Siaya), black nightshade and Launaea cornuta (coast). This avoids the process of pouring out the water used for boiling the vegetables. A. dubius is a popular choice for improving the taste of many traditional leafy vegetables.

Season: Two weeks after the onset of the rainy seasons, April-September, November-January (coast).

Management: The mature inflorescence is squeezed between the palms to release the seeds which may be broadcast at the required site. Occasionally, weedy seedlings may be uprooted and planted at the required place (coast).

COMMERCIAL: Grown on a commercial scale along the Sabaki flood plains, in Kaloleni near Mombasa and in Wangige near Nairobi. Sold in Nairobi, Malindi, Mombasa, Siaya, Kisumu.

Remarks: Amaranthus dubius is believed to be of American origin. A more recently introduced large-leaved giant amaranth is believed to be a form of this species (Giriama: kiswenya kibomu). It grows much larger, the stems are thicker, leaves are larger and usually blotched purple. The inflorescence is large but seeds are smaller. This form is becoming more popular with farmers. Amaranths are among the most commonly used leafy vegetables in Kenya and most of Africa. Of the 60 or so species of Amaranthus in the world, at least 13 occur wild in Kenya. Many of these (probably with the exception of A. thunbergii, A. sparganiocephalus and A. graecizans) have been introduced from other parts of the world, especially the Americas and Asia. Because of their close resemblance and the fact that many are only newcomers, they are often known by the same local names and used in the same manner. They are among the most nutritious leafy vegetables.

Amaranthus graecizans L.

Amaranthaceae

syn: A. angustifolius Lam., A. silvestris Vill., A. parvulus Peter

Digo: chiswenya Embu: rwoga English: amaranth, prostrate amaranth Giriama: logatsi Ilchamus: raprapa, lokuronit, lokuroniti Kamba: w'oa, woa, telele (Kitui), terere (north Kitui) Kikuyu: terere, terere wa gikuyu Kipsigis: kelichot Luhya (Bukusu): edodo, litoto Luhya (Tachoni): lidodo Luo: ombok-alikra, omboga Maa: nanyi, nyanyi, nyani, embeneyoi Marakwet: kipkanding'wa, kipiriak (plural) Mbeere: muterere, muruoga Meru: rwoga ra kicuka Pokot: ptanya Samburu: mir, nyoni, nterere, ntererei Somali: dargu Swahili: mchicha, mchicha mwitu Taita: kizenya (Mbale), kichanya Tharaka: rwoga Turkana: ekiliton, lokiliton, louyeing'orok, adye

Description: An erect, decumbent or prostrate herb usually branched from the base and often less than 40 cm high. LEAVES: On long petioles and with small lamina (about 4 cm). FLOWERS: Green and borne in axillary clusters. FRUIT: Seeds tiny, smooth, shiny black.

Ecology: Found throughout most of Africa, warmer parts of Europe, tropical and subtropical Asia. The commonest amaranth species in the semi-arid and arid regions of Kenya but also grows in wetter regions on waste ground and as a weed of cultivation. Common on sand deposits along rivers, at roadsides and forest edges. It is most abundant where surface run-off collects in semi-arid lands. It can grow in partially shaded areas under trees. Soils varied, mainly sand and sandy alluvium. Zones II-VII.

Uses: FOOD: The leaves and young tender shoots are used as a vegetable (+++). Later as the seeds mature it is advised to pick individual leaves as stray seeds in food feel like sand in the mouth. The vegetable is normally cooked and eaten with ugali or it may be cooked together with flour to a stuff known as ngunzakutu (Kamba) or atap (Turkana). Leaves may also be mashed with a mixture of maize and a pulse (Kikuyu, Kamba). A major drawback is that leaves of this species are small and collecting enough for a meal can take some time.

OTHER: Fodder (++) for all livestock.

Management: Seeds can be obtained from mature plants by rubbing the flower heads to release them. Passing a light current of air through cleans them of other particles. The seeds may be broadcast soon after the onset of the rains. It can be intercropped with trees as it is shade-tolerant. In the wild, this amaranth sprouts easily soon after the onset of rains, grows fast, seeds and dries as fast, and hence its ability to survive in the arid lands. At maturity the plant sheds the small, black, shiny seeds.

Status: Common, especially in dry areas.

Remarks: Three subspecies have been recognized:

· ssp. graecizans (syn. A. angustifolius Lam.) with a narrow leaf blade and common in seasonally flooded areas,

· ssp. silvestris (syn. A. silvestris Vill.) with a broader leaf blade and more common than the former, and

· ssp. thellungianus (Nevski) Gusev., a rare type, only occurring in Central Province.

Amaranthus hybridus L.*

Amaranthaceae

syn: A. patulus Bertol.

Chonyi: chiswenya, English: amaranth, Chinese spinach, spiny amaranth, spleen amaranth Giriama: kiswenya Kamba: w'oa, terere (Mwingi), telele-nene Kambe: chiswenya Keiyo: chepkerte, chepkerta Kikuyu: terere Kipsigis: cheptokdogan Kisii: emboga Luhya (Bukusu): litoto, liola, edodo, tsimboga Luhya (Kisa): tsimboka tsia navanyolo Luhya (Marachi): lidodo Luhya: tsimboga, edodo, litoto (plant) Luhya (Tachoni): litoto Luo: ododo, omboga, alikra Maa: enyaru-olmuaate, enyaru-nanyokie, nanyi, nyani Marakwet: chepkerte, chepkarta Mbeere: terere Meru: terere, rwoga Sanya: kiswenya Somali: dargo sagar, daargo-warabe Swahili: mchicha Taita: chanya (mbale) Teso: eboga

Description: An erect or prostrate branched herb usually 40-80 cm but occasionally attaining the height of a Mandera, especially in cultivation. Stems green or tinted red, ridged. LEAVES: Simple, alternate, green or tinted red with a lamina to 15 cm or more and a long petiole. FLOWERS: Borne in clusters in green, yellow, red or occasionally purple axillary and terminal spikes. FRUITS: Seeds shiny black or cream.

Ecology: Widespread in tropical and subtropical regions of the world and widely distributed in humid to sub-humid areas in Kenya, mainly as a weed of cultivation, in degraded land and built-up areas, along rivers, roadsides and forest edges, 900-2,600 m. Commonest in the middle altitudes and highlands (1,400-2,400 m). Zones I-V.

Uses: FOOD: Leaves and young shoots used as a vegetable (+++). This is the commonest and the most widely used species in the wetter regions. Much of it is picked from the wild or occasionally it is spared when found growing as a weed. In some parts of Kenya, especially in the west, the species is cultivated in small home gardens. The vegetable is very tasty and its large leaves make it a very popular amaranth.

COMMERCIAL: Leaves, and occasionally seeds, sold in Nairobi and some other markets throughout the country.

Season: Rainy season and soon thereafter.

Management: A. hybridus grows easily from the small hard black seeds. Prepare the ground to loosen the soil and to get rid of weeds. The seeds may be sowed by broadcasting or in lines made at 30 cm intervals. As the seeds are tiny, they can be mixed with sand to ensure a more even distribution. Seeds germinate after a few days. Thin out the plants leaving the appropriate distance between neighbouring plants. These will be your first vegetables! Weed as often as necessary. Seed harvesting: At maturity, the flowering head will start losing its natural green colour (or whichever was the original colour). Mature seeds are black, while immature ones are red or pale. Whole heads may be cut, dried in the sun on a polythene sheet and beaten with light sticks to release the seeds. Rubbing between the palms may release more seeds. The seeds and chaff are then winnowed on a tray.

Status: Very common.

Remarks: Two related species are found in Kenya:

· A. hypochondriacus L. (syn. A. patulus Bertol.) has a prominent terminal spike, a more "spiny" look and often has a prostrate habit. It is more common in the higher altitudes.

· A. cruentus L. (syn. A. paniculatus L.) has a more branched flowering head, with a less "spiny" appearance. It is not as common at high altitudes. The red form of this species is also cultivated as an ornamental. These two species are often treated as subspecies of A. hybridus. Ethnobotanical surveys have confirmed that this is one of the introduced amaranth species in Kenya. A. hybridus is of Central American origin.

Amaranthus sparganiocephalus Thell.

Amaranthaceae

Maa: nanyi, nyani Samburu: nyoni Somali: rasso Turkana: edeyea, loyeing'orok, louyeing'orok

Description: A spreading prostrate or erect herb to about 50 cm, often branching near the ground forming a dense mass. LEAVES: Greenish brown, with long petioles and a lamina of about 5 cm long. FLOWERS: Borne in sessile axillary clusters.

Ecology: North-eastern Africa and the Arabian peninsula. In Kenya it grows in abandoned pastoral settlements in semi-arid areas, especially in Kajiado, Samburu, Turkana and Marsabit. 100-1,600 m. Zones V-VII.

Uses: FOOD: Picked and cooked as a leafy vegetable (+) (Maasai, Samburu, Turkana, Pokot, Somali). This plant sprouts quickly soon after rain. It is picked along with A graecizans by pastoral communities in the semi-arid areas of Kenya.

Management: Propagated by seeds.

Status: Uncommon.

Remarks: The species is closely associated with animal enclosures in Maasai land. It is often found along with A. graecizans growing on top of Maasai traditional houses during the rainy season.

Amaranthus spinosus L.*

Amaranthaceae

English: careless weed, prickly amaranth, spiny amaranth Giriama: kiswenya-cha-miya Ilchamus: lkamasei Kikuyu: terere-wa-ng'ombe, terere wa kigombe Kipsigis: mborochet Luo: ododo Mbeere: macica Pokot: sikukuu, chepkuratian Samburu: nairepirepi Sanya: kiswenya-korati Turkana: lookwa, epespes the rest of the local names as for A. hybridus.

Description: A stout, erect (occasionally decumbent) herb about 1 m or more with green or red and usually branched stems. LEAVES: Have a long petiole and an ovate lamina to 10 cm or more. FLOWERS: Spiny and green, forming axillary clusters and in terminal inflorescences.

Ecology: Grows in tropical and subtropical parts of the world, occasionally in temperate regions. The species is widely distributed in Kenya in most areas below 1,900 m. A common plant near livestock enclosures (hence the Kikuyu name for it), in abandoned settlements, along streams, at roadsides, in open grassland and as a weed of cultivation. It is the scourge of farmers at maturity. Zones I-VI.

Uses: FOOD: The species is seldom used as a leafy vegetable (+), picked mostly while still young before the spines have hardened and mainly by communities in the Coast, Nyanza and Western Provinces of Kenya as well as the central part of Rift Valley. The species is not much liked and its use is declining. This species is native of tropical America but was probably introduced to Kenya earlier than A. hybridus.

COMMERCIAL: Leaves occasionally sold, especially in Nyanza and western Kenya.

Status: Common.

Remarks: This species may easily be confused with A. hybridus and A. dubius, but the red stems and spiny nature of A. spinosus are distinguishing features.

Annona senegalensis Pers. ssp. senegalensis

Annonaceae

syn: A. chrysophylla Bojer

Boni: malamoto, mlamote Chonyi: mtakuma Digo: mbokwe Embu: matimoko (fruits) mutimoko (tree) English: wild custard apple, wild soursop, Giriama: mbokwe, mutakuma, mtomoko-tsaka Kamba: makulo, mutomoko, makulo Kambe: mbokwe Kisii: omokera Luhya (Bukusu): kumufwora Luhya: muvulu Luhya (Tachoni): omfwora (tree), emifwora (fruit) Luo: obolo, nyabolo Mbeere: mukumuti, mumuu Sabaot: marungiyandet Sanya: mtomoko-badha, mthonoko-bada Swahili: mtomoko mwitu, mbokwe, mtope tope, mtokuu, sope tope, mtonkwe, mchekwa Teso: ebwolo

Description: A spreading shrub or small tree to 6 m. BARK: White grey. LEAVES: Broadly ovate, large, pale and softly hairy beneath. FLOWERS: Green-yellow to cream with numerous stamens. FRUIT: To 5 cm in diameter, oval or conical, formed from several carpels fusing together. Green when young, turning yellow to orange on ripening. Seeds smooth, shiny brown.

Ecology: Widespread in tropical Africa, from West Africa to the Sudan and south to South Africa. Grows in the coastal zone, Kitui, Kisii, and Homa Bay Districts of Kenya in bushed grassland, especially humid, riverine woodland, coastal bushed grassland and forests, 0-1,750 m. Soils: deep sandy, alluvial or light red loam. Zones II-IV.

Uses: FOOD: Ripe fruit edible raw (+++). It is sweet with an acid taste and aroma of pineapple. The fruit cover may be eaten but is usually discarded together with the seeds. Bark chewed (Luo).

MEDICINAL: Roots used as cure for stomach-ache, vomiting and diarrhoea (Sabaot).

OTHER: Bark source of a brown dye. Fuelwood (++) (wood is soft).

Season: Fruits in August (Kitui).

Management: Propagated by seeds. Coppices well.

Status: Occasional.

Remarks: The species is related to the cherimoya (A. cherimola), sugar apple or sweetsop (A. squamosa) and to the custard apple (A. reticulata), generally known as mtomoko (Swahili), cultivated for their delicious fruit and commonly sold in Kenyan markets. A related but more shrubby species, A. stenophylla Engl. & Diels, found in southern Africa, has edible fruit too.

Antidesma venosum Tul.

Euphorbiaceae

syn: A. bifrons Tul., A. boivinianum Baill.

Boni: ngogaje, mulilago Chonyi: musimbiji Digo: mzangatchango, kihuro, chikuro Giriama: mhirondo, musimbiji Kamba: mukala (Kitui), kitelanthia, kitolanthia (Makueni), ngala, ndelanthia (fruits) Kambe: musimbiji Kikuyu: mukondwe, muhoigwa Luhya (Bukusu): kumukhakasu, bukhakasu (fruit) Luo: oguambula, oguombula Malakote: musigisigi Mbeere: mukanga-arithi, muthithio, muthethuka Meru: mutonye Pokomo: Musasusi Swahili: mbua nono, mbua ya nuno msasuzi, karacha, mziwaziwa, mwinamia ziwa, msuaga

Description: Shrub or, less often, a small tree to 6 m tall, with scattered branches. BARK: Rough. LEAVES: Large, elliptic, densely hairy and light green to reddish brown beneath. FLOWERS: Dioecious, yellow-green in axillary and terminal spikes. Inflorescence often galled, drooping. FRUITS: Numerous in bunches, light green, turning red to reddish purple to almost black on ripening. Ecology: Widespread in Africa from Gabon east to Ethiopia and south to Namibia and South Africa and Madagascar. In Kenya, in Boni forest, Thui Hill (Makueni), Kitui hills, Nzaui hills (Makueni), Mavuria (Embu), Central, Coast and Nyanza Provinces, in bushed grassland, coastal bushland, forest edges, riverine bushland, 0-1,900 m. Rare in Central and Nyanza Provinces. Mainly on rocky hill slopes with light clay soil or sandy loam. Rainfall: about 850-1,000 mm. Zones III-IV.

Uses: FOOD: Fruits are edible (++). They have a sweet, slightly sour taste. Ripe fruits are small but with a lot of reddish purple juice. Seeds are discarded.

MEDICINAL: Leaves, twigs and roots used to treat abdominal pains.

OTHER: Fruits eaten by some species of birds. Fruits used by children as dye or ink (Makueni). The writing fades slightly from blue-purple to light reddish purple after some time. Ornamental, fuelwood.

Season: Fruits in March (Makueni). A few plants may be in fruit in June or at other times.

Management: Propagated by seeds.

Status: Locally common, especially in the coastal region, Kitui hills and Thui Hill (Makueni). Generally uncommon.

Remarks: Roots said to be toxic.

Asystasia gangetica (L.) T. Anders.

Acanthaceae

Chonyi: tsalakushe Digo: futswe, tala-kushe, futsure Giriama: thalakushe, talakushe, burutula, vongonya Kambe: talakusha Kipsigis: turkwot Luo: atipa Maa: gosida, enkosida Sanya: thalakushe Swahili: fuchwe, mtikini

Description: A scrambling, prostrate or erect weak-stemmed herb 45-100 cm high. LEAVES: Dark green up to 8 cm long by 5 cm, broadly ovate, base rounded or heart shaped, apex narrow. FLOWERS: Pink, corolla lip purple, borne on one side of a long slender inflorescence. FRUIT: A light brown dehiscent capsule.

Ecology: Widely distributed in most of tropical Africa. Mainly in the coastal region and western Kenya. Not recorded in northern Kenya. Found in forests, at forest edges and disturbed areas, 0-1,900 m. Zones I-III.

Uses: FOOD: Leaves used as a vegetable (++) (Digo, Giriama, Luo, Luhya). Cooking time is normally brief (Mijikenda). Also used as a vegetable in southern Africa.

OTHER: Browsed by stock.

Management: Propagated by seeds.

Status: Locally common.

Remarks: An important vegetable among the Mijikenda, mainly used for mixing with other leafy vegetables. Notable mixtures are with any of the following vegetables: Corchorus olitorius (vombo), pumpkin leaves (mhango), cassava (Manihot esculenta) leaves (mpea), Launaea cornuta (mtsunga), sweet potato (mabwe), cocoyam (maburu), cowpea and okra (mabenda). The cassava leaves have to be pounded in a mortar before use.

Asystasia mysorensis (Roth) T. Anders.

Acanthaceae

syn: Asystasia schimperi T. Anders.

Kikuyu: muhika-naihu Luhya: kisuvu (Kakamega) Luhya: esidiba, nyag'ori Luhya (Samia): esidiba Luhya (Bukusu): sitipa (plant) Luhya (Tachoni): esitipa Luo: atipa Mbeere: karimi-ka-nthia Pokot: orongwo Teso: esidiba

Description: A small erect herb usually 30-75 cm high. LEAVES: Ovate or elliptic, to 10 cm long. FLOWERS: White, lip often spotted green with brown streaks, borne on a short, densely bracted terminal inflorescence. FRUIT: A dehiscent yellowish brown capsule narrowing abruptly at the base.

Ecology: Widely distributed in Kenya and also in other parts of eastern Africa, i.e. Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Somalia. Very common in Nyanza and Western Provinces and in Nairobi, 500-1,900 m; commonest between 1,200 and 1,700 m. Very common in disturbed areas, on roadsides, towns, grassland and found as a weed in gardens, especially on sandy and light clay soils. Zones II-V.

Uses: FOOD: Cooked and eaten as a vegetable (+++) (Luhya, Luo, Teso, Kikuyu, Mbeere, Giriama, Digo, Pokot). Normally cooked with leaves of cowpeas or spider herb Cleome gynandra (Luo). Said to be good for digestion (Siaya).

COMMERCIAL: Occasionally sold in some markets in Nyanza and Western Provinces.

Management: Propagated by seeds.

Season: Vegetable available during the rainy season and soon after.

Status: Locally very common.

Azanza garckeana (F. Hoffm.) Exell & Hillcoat

Malvaceae

Embu: muto, matoo English: tree hibiscus Kamba: mutoo Maa: olmotoo Mbeere: mutoo Meru: matoo (plural) Somali: baamiya Swahili: nduwe, muwatata

Description: Shrub or tree to 8 m high. Crown light, spreading or occasionally narrow and high. BARK: Fissured, grey. LEAVES: Large, broad, rough, divided into 3-5 shallow lobes, petioles long. FLOWERS: Large, yellow, with a red or purple centre. FRUIT: To 5 cm across, light green, velvety hairy, with a clasping calyx, splitting into five valves on ripening. Seeds dark grey (almost black) and covered with woolly hairs.

Ecology: The only Azanza species found in Africa, from eastern to South Africa. Very common in Machakos and Kitui Districts in open bushland and woodland. Common in Combretum-Terminalia bushland, 500-1,500 m. Soils: sandy or red clay. Rainfall: 600-800 mm. Zones III-V.

Uses: FOOD: Ripe fruits edible and very sweet (+++). Valves are chewed, the gelatinous sweet extract is swallowed and the fibrous remains discarded after chewing. Occasionally stored for up to a month without losing sweetness. Hard dry ones eaten too.

MEDICINAL: Used for coughs (Makueni). Stems and leaves pounded and extract taken against liver problems (Kitui).

OTHER: Fuelwood (+++), shade (++). Fruit juice used as a lubricant for toy wheels by boys (Makueni). Wood strong, finishing smooth and used in carvings, mortars and pestles, wooden spoons, yokes, handles for axes and in the construction of traditional tables for drying utensils (Kamba, Mbeere). The centre poles in huts are usually of this plant (Kitui). The heartwood from some types is said to be very hard and resistant to attack by termites and other insects, hence used for combs and carvings (Kitui).

Season: Flowers in November-December (Kitui). Fruits in August-September and are spoilt by November rains (Kitui). Note: Fruits ripening said to coincide with months of food shortage in Kitui Central, and so an important famine food.

Management: Propagated by seeds, direct sowing. Planted in crop land as well as near homes as an ornamental. Prune lower branches to give it a good shape.

Status: May be locally common.

Remarks: An important fruit plant among the Kamba, especially in times of famine, hence the saying "Mutumia aleele muthoni kulea umutwiiya itoo", meaning a father recalled his daughter from in-laws when they refused to give him this fruit during his visit. Fruits attract the cotton-boll stainer, hence not a suitable tree near cotton fields.

Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del.

Balanitaceae

Borana: baddan Digo: mwambangoma English: desert date Gabra: baddana Ilchamus: lowei, Iowa Kamba: mulului, kilului Kambe: mkonga Keiyo: ng'osonaik, ng'oswet, ng'osyet (fruit) Kipsigis: ng'oswet Luo: otho, othoo Maa: olokwai, ilokwa (fruits), olng'oswa, osaragi Malakote: mubadana Marakwet: tuyun, tuyunwo (plural) Mbeere: mububua Orma: baddan Pokot: tuyunwo Sabaot: chuuandet Samburu: lowvai, lowwai Somali: kullan (Tana River) Swahili: mjunju, mchunju Taita: kiwowa Teso: echomai Tharaka: mubuubua Tugen: ngonswo, ngoswa Turkana: eroronyit

Description: A much-branched spiny shrub or tree up to 10 m high. Crown rounded, dense (but still can be seen through, cf. B. glabra which has a more dense crown and long stout branchlets). BARK: Trunk grey, deeply fissured longitudinally. Branchlets green, with (or without) long straight green spines (up to 10 cm). LEAVES: With a conspicuous petiole to 2 cm long, two leaflets, usually small, greyish green, normally shed in severe drought. FLOWERS: Small, greenish yellow, in leaf axils. FRUITS: Ellipsoid, up to 4 cm long, green. Ripe fruit brown or pale brown with a brittle coat enclosing a brown or brown green sticky pulp. Seed a hard stone.

Ecology: An important tree found from West and North Africa south to Zimbabwe and Angol