gayan gayan, a sort of twining bean. (?Vigna membranacea, A. Rich.),videwaken barewa.
gazara, a tall grass, used for arrow-shafts.
gazari, a var. of kola nut;videundergoro.
gazariorgizeri(Hadeija),Mærua sp.(Capparideæ); a tree with smooth bark, whitish flowers and small beaded pods.
geḍa(Kano, &c.),gyaḍa(Sok.),Arachis hypogæa, L. (Leguminosæ). “Ground Nut.” “Monkey Nut.” “Archides.” “Earth-pea.” In Sokoto usually calledgujiya,q.v.Eaten raw or roasted or prepared in various ways.man geḍa= the expressed oil, used for cooking and as an illuminant;harawar geḍa, ground-nut hay, a valuable dry-season fodder;kwalli kwalli, balls or rings like doughnuts, made of ground-nut paste fried in oil.gujiya kolanche(Sok.), a var. ofgeḍawith long pods.
geḍar awaki, common leguminous weeds of fields, with yellow flowers and inflated pods, used as fodder. Syn.hudar awaki,biranar awaki, &c. (Crotalaria cylindrocarpa, DC.C. atrorubens, Hochst.C. macrocalyx, Benth.C. maxillaris, Hochst. and other species).
geḍar kurumi,Pterocarpus esculentus, Sch. et Thon. (Leguminosæ); a tree of river banks and forests in the south, with yellow flowers and short irregularly shaped 2-seeded pods; the seeds—called alsogunduru—are roasted and eaten in scarcity.
geḍar ruwa,Trapa bispinosa, Roxb. (Onagrarieæ). “Water Chestnut.” “Water Caltrop.” An aquatic plant with floating leaves and edible horned fruit, cultivated in ponds. (Scarcely known in Hausa; the name is the equivalent of the Ful.biriji diam). Syn.kwankwarita(East Hausa).
gemen kusuorg. ḅera,Fimbristylis exilis, R. and S. (and otherspp. Cyperaceæ); a small tufted sedge with very slender leaves and slightly fragrant root. Syn.riḍin tuji.
gero,Pennisetum typhoideum, Rich. (=P. spicatum, R. and S.). “Bulrush Millet.” “Pearl Millet.”cf.maiwa(P. spicatum, var.), anddamro; (videalso underkarmamiandyabainya).
Some of the varieties ofgeroare:—
idon hawanya, with a large grain concealed in the husk;
haḳorin machiji(North of Kano), a long spike with abundant hard very small grains;
zango, with a very long fruiting spike;
zamfaruwa;bazaumeorbazarme(a corruption ofBa-Zabarme);
girgeraorgargasa, a white-grained variety likemaiwa, but considered one of the best or most elegant (=farin geroorgeron Adar, because common in French territory);
ba anguri(East Hausa), the same as or a near variety togirgera;
tarnekuwa;wuyan bajimi, a short thick spike with hard grain and much chaff;
tamangaji, a variety with pointed grains;
lawur, a short variety quickly ripe;
shibraorshura(Pennisetum Benthamii, Steud. var.?), a short and thin-stemmed variety early maturing; (also applied to infertile spikes not maturing, stripped while young and used inkunuor soup, &c.).
Lesser variations are:—
halshen damo, with a bifid spike;
gero mai geme, when the lower part of the flowering spike is compound;
gero mai gashi, a bristly spike, (considered of value because birds cannot plunder), and calledgargasa(= hirsute) in Kano; the same asgirgera;
gumba=gerocleaned, husked and winnowed, and ground up for eating uncooked with milk and other food.
Geron tsuntsaye, 1.Phyllanthus pentandrus, Sch. and Thon. (and other similar species ofEuphorbiaceæ); a common slender-branched weed with minute capsular fruit eaten by birds; syn.hatsin tsuntsaye. 2. The fruiting head of a species of bulrush (Typha australis), calledshalla,q.v.
gewayen tsamiya, usually =Vitis quadrangularis,videḍaḍori, but sometimes applied to several other plants growing under or climbing upon the tamarind-tree.
geza,Combretum sp.probablyC. altum, Perr. (Combretaceæ); a shrub or small tree with white flowers and 4-winged fruit, well known in the north.
fara geza,Combretum aculeatum, Vent. a shrub with 4-winged fruit and clusters of white flowers; (a different species from the above).
gigi? (Sok.),videfaskara toyi.
giginya,Borassus flabellifer, var.æthiopum, Warb. (Palmeæ). “Deleb Palm,” “Fan” or “Palmyra Palm;” common straight-stemmed palm with fan-like leaves.
muruchi= the young germinating shoots, eaten as a vegetable;shedari= a mat made of the unexpanded fronds—(calledmurlin giginya,videundermurli).
ḳodago, the nut, and the kernelkwalshi,videundergoriba.cf.alsogangame,kankămiandḳarari.ḳarri(Kano) = fronds ofgiginya,cf.kaba.
ḳundu(Kano) = the bulging of thegiginyastem.
giginyar biri,Tacca pinnatifida, Forst. (=T. involucrata, Sch. and Thon.) (Taccaceæ). A perennial herb with a superficial resemblance to a small palm, having a long-stalked divided leaf and an umbel of greenish flowers and yellow succulent fruit. The large starchy tuber is an important article of food in some countries; a var. of“arrowroot” is prepared from it in the Pacific Islands and elsewhere;videunderamara. Boys call the tall flowering stemssandan yan bori,sandan biri, orsandan dutsi, and use them as toy spears. Other names for the plant aregatarin zomoand ?yayuortara yaya(Katagum).
girgera, a var. ofgero,q.v.
giri giri, 1. In Sokoto =aya aya,q.v.the tuber of a sedge. 2. In Kano, Hadeija, &c. = ?Pachyrhizus tuberosus, Spreng. “Yam Bean” or “Manioc Pea;” a bean with a starchy tuberous root. (videalsosa baba sata). The name includesVigna ornata, Welw. a tuberous-rooted bean, with handsome pink flowers, in the Benué district (Munchi-ahoma). A speckled variety of the seeds is calledkashin kaza.
gishirin dawaki, a grass;videdataniya.
gishishiya? (Zanfara), a species of acacia;videdussa.
giwa kamba, a var. ofdawa,q.v.
giyeyaorgiyaiya,Mitragyne africana, Korth. (Rubiaceæ); a tree with spherical heads of flowers, abundant in damp localities.
gizaḳi(Zanfara),Carissa edulis, Vahl. (Apocynaceæ); a scrambling shrub with black sweet berries. The root is put in thegoran ruwato render water agreeable. Syn. ?uwa banza.
gizari,videgazari.
gizgiri,Cyperus auricomus, Spreng. (Cyperaceæ); a tall sedge with tuberous slightly fragrant root which is used likekajiji,q.v.Syn.kajijin fadama; (possibly the same asḍan Tunuga,q.v.).
gizgirin kaba,videundergoriba.
godar zomo,Tinnea Barteri, Gürke (Labiatæ); an undershrub with a deep-purple flower and inflated calyx. (Etym. “hare-bell”). (Also applied toCardiospermum Halicacabum,videgautan kwaḍo, on account of the inflated capsule).
goga jiki,Combretum sp.?C. leonense, Engl. and Diels.; a tree with rough fissured bark. (Etym. from the chafingof the skin when faggots are carried in the arms). A gum-yielder. ?Syn.wuyan damo,q.v.gogin damo(Zanfara).
goga masu,Mitracarpum scabrum, Zucc. (Rubiaceæ); a weed with small white flowers, used as a medicine for hair-lice, itch, &c. (Etym. “smear spears,” from its superstitious use as a preventive against wounds). Syn.harwatsi(Sok.).
goge(?Hausa),Feretia canthioides, Hiern. (Rubiaceæ). Syn.ḳuruḳuru,q.v.andlallen suri.
gogin damo,videgoga jiki.
goji, pumpkin,videunderkabewa.
gojin jimaorgunar jima,Adenopus breviflorus, Benth. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild pumpkin-like twiner growing on trees, with ovoid mottled fruit used by tanners for dehairing.
gombiliki(Sok.),videfalfoli.
gongolaorgwongola, a canoe-pole of thetukuruwapalm,q.v.(gwangwala= the Nupé name for the palmRaphia vinifera).
gora, a var. of the bottle-gourd;videunderduma.
gora,Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Monro (Gramineæ); a kind of bamboo, common in ravines.
gorgo(?Kanuri),Solanum sp.; the flowers of a plant like the native tomato (gauta), used to rub the teeth. Syn.gautan bagirmiandjaudari(East Hausa).
goriba,Hyphæne Thebaica, Mart. (Palmeæ). “Dum Palm.” “Ginger-bread Palm.” Common palm with forked stems.kaba,q.v.= the fronds, used for plaiting various articles;gizgirin kaba= the thickened root ofgiginya;kwalshi= the edible kernel of the unripe nut eaten raw;ḳodagoorḳwalu= the ripe hard nut; the rind is used as food and in makingmaḍi(molasses) andallewa(a sweetmeat);zaḳi birri(East Hausa or Kanuri) = the rind made into cakes (waina, &c.). Fibre is got from the root,videundermeḍi.cf.alsogangame,kankămi,ḳarariandmurli.
goriya,videundergoro.
goro, Kola Nut; the seed ofCola acuminata, Schott. and Endl. and other species (Sterculiaceæ). (The true Kola has the seed divisible into 2 sections (cotyledons), in the other species there are usually 3 or 4. “Genuine” Kola nut =C. acuminata(Gold Coast). “False” Kola nut =C. JohnsoniandC. verticillata(Gold Coast). “Bitter Kola seeds” =Garcinia Conrauana, Engl. (Guttiferæ) (N. and S. Nigeria), eaten but not a stimulant). Imported from Gold Coast, Lagos, and Adamawa; cultivated in some southern provinces. Some of the numerous trade varieties are:—
goriya, pl.goriye, the largest nuts;marsa, the second size of nuts;minu, the smallest;labuje, a large pale var. from Gwanja and grown in Bida, said to be the best;ḍan kwataho, the best in Adamawa, Benué, from Ngaumdere, Bamyo, &c.;ataras, a Gwanja nut;hannu ruwa, a cheap pale variety divisible into 3 or more sections, from Bamyo, &c. (name from the viscid juice);ḍalakaorḍan laka, a larger nut resemblinghannu ruwa;sandalu, also a pale nut of similar type;ganji gaga, pale with about 4 sections, of inferior quality; from Bafum, &c.;gazari, an inferior var. viscid likehannu ruwa, from Bafum, &c.;ibi, an inferior var. got from Yoruba, not reddening the mouth (sometimes classed asgoron biri);gandi, an inferior pale var. likeibi;jan karago, an early maturing rough-skinned var.;gamma gari, mature at the height of the season;nata, red and smooth, usually small.
ḅare= half a kola nut;gutsuri= pieces of kola nut handed round a company.
saran waga= 100 nuts of mixed sizes;farsa= the separated sections.
mijin goro,SterculiaorCola, orGarcinia sp.(videabove), “Wild Kola,” “False Kola,” used medicinally.videalsosarawan goro.
goron biriorg. ruwa,Irvingia Smithii, Hook. f. (Simarubeæ); a large evergreen tree by streams and in ravines, with scarlet plum-like fruit.
goron yan makaranta, an insect gall on the grass calledkatsaimu,q.v.
guda(Kano) orgudaji(Sok.), a bulb; the common onion, one of the varieties ofalbasa,q.v.
guḍe guḍe,Dactyloctenium ægyptiacum, Willd. (Gramineæ). “Comb Fringe Grass;” a small grass with 4-rayed spikes; a good horse fodder.
gudumar biri,videkatsaimu.
gudumar zomo(East Hausa), a name forGloriosa superba, L.videbaurairai.
gujiya(Kano &c.),Voandzeia subterranea, Thouars. (Leguminosæ); a kind of ground-bean; the so-called “Bambarra Ground Nut.” Syn.kwaruru,q.v.N.B. In Sokoto and some other districtsgujiyais also used forgeḍa(Arachis hypogæa)—kwaruruorVoandzeia subterraneabeing distinguished asg. dukkus(Sok. and West), etym. from the dwarf habit—; similarlyg. ḳwarasḳwaras(Sok. and Kano);g. tsugunne(Kano)—etym.tsugunna= to squat—gujiya al kuluga, andg. maikwokwo(from the resemblance of the pods to the smallest calabash) are names in East Hausa;g. kolanche(Sok.) = a long variety ofArachisorgeḍa,q.v.bidi= one of the varieties ofgujiyawith spotted and mottled seeds.
gujiyar awaki,videgeḍar awaki.
gujiyar dawaki(Zanfara),Polygala arenaria, Willd.videsa hankaki dako.
gujiyar hankaka(Katagum),Indigofera echinata, Willd. (Leguminosæ); a weed with small prickly pods, eaten by goats, &c. Syn.kwankwan dafi(Sok. and Kats.); alsochuchun kariyaorgaton kariya.
gumba,videundergero.
gumbi, loosely applied to several plants which form thorny thickets; e.g. in Sokotogumbigenerally =Mimosa asperata, a thorny shrub very abundant on river-banks.videḳaidajiandcf.dufuwaandḳumchi.
gumi= rice boiled and dried (in which form it is commonly sold);ḍanyen gumi= husked but still unboiled rice.videundershinkafa.
guna,Citrullus vulgaris, Schrad. (Cucurbitaceæ). The “Water-Melon” (a very variable species).gunar mutaneorkankana= the edible or garden water-melon, with red pulp and black or red seeds;gunar shanu= the common half wild and cultivated var. with deeply cut leaves, and spherical fruit with green variegated stripes when unripe;fari(Kano and East) = a large water-melon, usually white-fleshed;kwokiya= a smaller sweet melon;tamna geḍa= a small melon likekwokiya, but only eaten cooked (=garangarma, East Hausa);bambus= a variety known in the north;agushi(Yorubaegushi) = seeds of water-melon, sold for various uses—chewing, medicine, oil, and food.
gunar jima,videgojin jima.
gunar kura,Cucumis Figarei, Del. (Cucurbitaceæ); a wild prostrate gourd with ovoid slightly prickly fruit; better known astsuwawun zaki,q.v.; also calledmaḳaimi.
gunda,gundar kabewa= the small immature fruits of the pumpkin (videkabewa), used in soup.gundar turu turu= unexpanded flower-buds ofḍorowa,q.v.
gunduru,videundergeḍar kurumi.
gunguma, a long-leaved plant (?Amaryllideæ), used to stupefy birds, and sometimes added to arrow-poison. ?Syn.murtsunguwa.
guntsu= seeds ofkuka,q.v.
gurasa,videunderalkama.
gurdugu,Grewia sp.(Tiliaceæ); a shrub with small yellow flowers and sweet edible berries. Syn.kamu mowa,q.v.and ?kimbar dutsi.
gurguzu= seeds of the “Red Sorrel” oryakuwa,q.v.
guriya(Sok.) = seeds of cotton;videunderabduga.
gurji,Cucumis Melo, Linn. var.agrestis, Naud. (Cucurbitaceæ); a small prostrate gourd with ovoid striped fruit used in soup; much used in East Hausa and Bornu; probably more than one variety; e.g.kwantalorgurji kwantal—a smaller one less used. Syn.gwalli(Sok.).gurjin daji, applied to some wild gourds, e.g.Cephalandra indica, Naud. a wild climber with white flowers and cucumber-like fruit turning red and succulent; not edible.
gurjiya,Bombax buonopozense, Beauv. (Malvaceæ). “Red-flowered Silk Cotton Tree;” a tree likerimi,q.v.but smaller, with red tulip-like flowers and stout thorns on the branches. The silky hairs are used to stuff pack-saddles, armour-quilts &c. Syn.kuriya(Sok. and Zanf.).
guro(Sok.),Hibiscus esculentus, Linn. The okra. Syn.kuḅewa,q.v.
gursami, a plant with radiate tuberous roots eaten in scarcity.
gusu? (Zanfara). Syn. fortsa,q.v.a shrub—Phyllanthus reticulatus.
gutsuri,videundergoro.
gwabsa(Sok. Kats. and Zanf.),Cussonia nigerica, Hutch.sp. nov.(Araliaceæ); a tree with large digitate leaves, corrugated bark and odorous sap; often calledtakanḍar giwa,q.v.; alsohannun kuturu(from the bare leafless branches in the dry season).namijin gwabsa(ortakanḍar giwa, Sok. Kats. and Zanf.) =Hannoa undulata, Planch. (Simarubeæ); a tree with pinnate leaves, fragrant white blossoms, and black plum-like fruit.
gwaḍayiorgwoḍeyi,Hippocratea obtusifolia, var.Richardiana, Loes. (Celastrineæ); a twining shrub with tough stems used as tie-tie fortanka, &c., resisting white ants. (Perhaps several plants of similar habit and use are included in the Hausa name;cf.kana kana).cf.the expressiongwaḍayi, ba saranka, ba ja—if not cut first it cannot be broken by pulling.
gwaigwaya? (Katagum &c.),Cyperus exaltatus, Retz. (Cyperaceæ); a tall sedge of wet places, with 3-angled stem, and radiating numerous flower-spikes. Syn.karan masallachin kogi.
gwalli,videgurji.
gwandaorg. Masar,Carica Papaia, Linn. (Papayaceæ). The “Pawpaw” or “Melon Tree.”
gwandar daji,Anona senegalensis, Pers. (Anonaceæ); a species of Custard Apple common in the bush, with yellow edible fruit and fragrant leaves.
gwandayi(Kano &c.),Stylochiton Dalzielii, N.E. Br.sp. nov.(Aroideæ); a plant of the Arum-lily family, with arrow-head leaves and a yellow root; young leaves and root sometimes eaten as a pot-herb after prolonged boiling to remove the acrid principle. Syn.kinchiya(Sok. and Kats.).
Gwanja kusa, a name for several plants supposed to have properties resembling kola and other economic products of Gwanja in G. Coast, N. Terr. e.g. often applied to the “Akee Apple”—Blighia sapida, Koenig. (videalale), which has scarlet fruit reminiscent of kola; alsoParinarium curatellæfolium(viderura), a tree the young leaf of which is sometimes chewed and reddens the mouth; the flowers ofTrichilia emetica(videjan saye), similarly used; the herbHeliotropium Zeylanicum, Lam. (Boragineæ), used as a tonic, and staining the lips like kola. Also several plants which turn black in drying (chieflyScrophularineæ), and are sometimes mixed with indigo, e.g.Cycnium camporum, Eng. with white petunia-like flowers.
gwanno(Sok. and Zanf.),videgabachara.
gwano rafi,Olax subscorpioidea, Oliv. (Olacineæ); an evergreen shrub with an unpleasant odour; (gwano= the stink ant).
gwaska,itchen gwaska,Erythrophlœum guineense, Don. (Leguminosæ). “Sasswood.” “Ordeal Tree.” A forest tree; the bark (“sassy bark”) is used by some pagan tribes in an ordeal brew and as an occasional ingredient in arrow-poison.
gwaza,Colocasia antiquorum, Schott. (Aroideæ). The “Koko yam” (Yoruba—koko); an aroid plant with huge arrow-head leaves, cultivated for the starchy tuber.gwazar giwa, one of many names for an aroid with large lurid purple flower-spathe, a much-divided leaf and a bulky tuber with acrid juice; called alsohansar giwa(“elephant’s breast”),kunnen jaki,buran jaki, and sometimeskinchiya,q.v.) =Amorphophallus dracontioides, N.E. Br.
gwazkiya(Zanf.),videbogo zage.
gwoḍeyi,videgwaḍayi.
gwolon zaki,videtsuwawun zaki.
gwundi, a var. of cotton;videunderabduga.
gyaḍa, the ground-nut,videgeḍa.
gyamro,videunderdawa.
gyandama, a var. of the bottle-gourd,videunderduma.
gyazama,Rottbœllia exaltata, Linn. fil. (Gramineæ); a tall harsh-leaved grass, eaten by horses; called alsodadawaanddawa dawa.
haḍa fuḍa(Sok.), a name forCassia Kotschyana, Oliv. (Leguminosæ), and probably other species ofCassia;videundergamma faḍa. (?a corruption of a Fulani name).
haguguwa, a species ofFicus;videuwar yara.
haki, pl.hakukuwa, any kind of grass or weed.
hakin furtau(Sok.),Sporobolus festivus, Hochst. (Gramineæ); a small slender grass with delicate panicle of small purplish flowers; sometimes mixed with others for thatching. (Etym.furtau= a quail).
haḳorin kada,Argemone Mexicana, Linn. Yellow prickly poppy;videunderkwarko.
haḳorin kare,Panicum fluitans, Retz. (Gramineæ); a grass with hollow stem, in wet places; used as fodder. (Etym. “dog’s tooth,” from the shape of the flower spikelets.)
haḳorin machiji,Achryanthes aspera, L. (Amaranthaceæ); a troublesome weed of waste places, with small sharply pointed reflexed flowers; commonly also calledḳaimin ḳadangare,q.v.
halshen saniya, 1. In Sok. Kats. Bauchi, &c. =Portulaca oleracea, Linn. “Purslane,” a common weed of waste places, with yellow flowers and succulent spathulate leaves, commonly calledfasa ḳabba,q.v.andcf.alsodabrin saniya,videundergadon machiji. 2. In Zanfara, &c.halshen sa= a name forLonchocarpus laxiflorus, G. et P. a leguminous tree with purple flowers; leaves given to goats as fodder.videshunin biriandfarin sansami.
halshen damo, a var. ofgero,q.v.
hana gobara(Zanfara),videunderdali.
hana taḳama,videundergadon machiji.
hanjin rago,Oxystelma bornouense, R. Br. (Asclepiadeæ); a slender twiner with milky juice and white and purple flowers, commonly growing on bushes by streams.
hankufa,Waltheria americana, Linn. (Buettneriaceæ); a common erect weed or undershrub with soft leaves and small yellow flowers; used medicinally.
hannu biatoryatsa biat, a plant with 5-digitate leaves; used medicinally.
hannun giwa, a var. ofdawa,q.v.
hannun kuturu,videundergwabsa.
hannun marini, a var. of bean,videunderwake.
hannu ruwa, a var. of kola nut;videundergoro.
hano(Sok. and Kats., &c.),Boswellia Dalzielii, Hutch.sp. nov.andBoswellia odorata, Hutch.sp. nov.(Burseraceæ). Two closely similar species of “Frankincense Tree” (the former more in Sokoto, Kontagora, Zaria, &c., the latter in Yola province, &c.). Syn.ararabi(Katsina, &c.),basamu(Sok. and Zanf.). The fragrant gum-resin is used medicinally and as a fumigation for clothing, houses, &c. (Etym. fromhana, to prevent, from a prejudice some have against it, believing that it prevents success in trade, &c.; a form of deceit is to adulterate or substitute it for other resins such asḳaron maje, &c.cf.the nameba samuindicating the same idea).
hansar gada,hansar giwa, names given to several Aroid plants;videtsakara,gwazar giwa, &c.; (hansa= the breast).
hanza,videanza.
harawa, stem and leaf of bean and ground-nut plants, used as fodder,harawan wake,harawan geḍa.harawan ḍorowa,videunderḍorowa.
harḳiya,Digitaria debilis, Willd. (Gramineæ); a common fodder grass, 1½ to 2 feet high, with several slender flower rays. “Finger Grass.”
harwatsi(Sok.),Mitracarpum scabrum, Zucc. (Rubiaceæ); a common weed. Syn.goga masu,q.v.
hatsin manoma(Sok.),Pancratium trianthum, Herb. (Amaryllideæ); a bulbous herb with beautiful white lily-like flowers appearing with the early rains; (sometimes called “Spider Lily”).
haujeri(Katagum, &c.),haujerin mutane,Capparis corymbosa, Lam. (Capparideæ). A climbing thorny shrub, with white flowers and yellow fruit like a small orange, sometimes eaten. The leaves are sometimes used as food.haujerin raḳumi,Capparis tomentosa, Lam. A thorny woody climber similar to the last, more common and with larger fruit, not eaten. Generally calledḳabdodo(Sok. Kats., &c.); ?chauchaka(Zanfara).
haukat yaro,Datura Metel, Linn. (Solanaceæ). “Hairy Thorn Apple.”videzaḳami, andbabba juji. A large weed of waste places, with long trumpet-shaped white flowers. (Etym. from its deliriant property).
hawayen zaki,Anaphrenium abyssinicum, Hochst. (=Rhus insignis, Del.) (Anacardiaceæ). A tree with milky juice; the stems are commonly used as sticks to applykwolli.
huda,videfuda;hudar awaki,videundergeḍaandbiya rana.
ibi, a var. of kola nut;videundergoro.
iburu(oraburu), a common cereal much planted in Zaria and other districts.
idon saniya(Kano and East),Solanum incanum, Linn. and other species ofSolanum; (the equivalent of the Ful. namegiti naior “ox-eye”).videgautan kura.
idon zakara,Abrus precatorius, Linn. (Leguminosæ). “Prayer Beads,” “Jequirity,” “Bird’s Eye” (S. Leone). A twiner with pinnate leaves and clustered pods containing small scarlet seeds with a black spot; used chiefly as a medicinal charm. Syn.tandara(Kano and Kats.),taga rana(Kano market), (idon zakarais also used for the scarlet seeds ofminjiriya,q.v.Erythrina senegalensis).
ingidido,Cratæva Adansonii, G. et P. (Capparideæ); a tree with 3 fol. leaves, white flowers and a yellow-shelled fruit.
ingirichi= chopped-up hay as fodder.
intaya,videacha, a small grass cultivated as a cereal.
innuwar ḅauna,Morelia senegalensis, A. Rich. (Rubiaceae); an evergreen shrub with white flowers, common on the banks of streams.
innuwar gada,Opilia celtidifolia, Endl. (Olacineæ); a climbing shrub with fragrant whitish flowers; used medicinally for horses, &c.; sometimes callednamijin lemu.
innuwar tufi(Sok.), a floating plant in pools, &c. (tufi= a sp. of fish). ?Æschynome crassicaulis, Harms.videkaiḍajin ruwa.
itchen gado,Fluggea microcarpa, Blume (Euphorbiaceæ); a shrub the stems of which are used for native beds, &c.; more generally calledtsa,q.v.
itchen kurḍi, 1. In Sokoto =Melia Azedarach, Linn. (Meliaceæ). “Pride of India,” “Persian” or “African Lilac.” A tree with twice-pinnate leaves, bunches of lilac flowers and ovoid yellow fruit. (Etym. “taḅa ni ka samu kurḍi,” from a supposed virtue as a charm). Syn.kurnan nasara(Kontagora, East Hausa, &c.),q.v.2.Burkea africana, Hook. (Leguminosæ); a large tree with pale twice-pinnate leaves, spikes of creamy flowers and small flat pods.videkurḍi.
itchen Masar,Croton Zambesicus, Müell. Arg. (Euphorbiaceæ); a shrub sometimes planted in native compounds; (name given to several exotic plants).
jallo, a small var. of bottle-gourd;videunderduma.
jan baḳo(Sok. and Zanf.), a name given to certain thatching grasses which turn red in colour when mature; e.g.Andropogon apricus, var.africanus, Hack. andAndropogon exilis, Hochst. (videjan rauno). Syn.jan bauje,jan datsi;videalsolaḅanda.
jan itache,videjan yaro.
janjari(Sok.), a var. ofdawa,q.v.
jan karago,videundergoro.
jan rauno(orjan ramno, Sok.),Andropogon exilis, Hochst. (Gramineæ). A grass about 1½ to 2 feet high, turning russet-red in autumn; used for thatch, and chopped up to mix with building clay; also a fodder grass. Syn.jan bauje;cf.alsojan baḳo, andvideramno.
jan saye(Sok., Zanf., Kontagora),Trichilia emetica, Vahl. (Meliaceæ). A tree common in central Hausaland. The seeds yield a less important oil; root used in native medicine.videGwanja kusa.
jan yaro(orjan itache),Hymenocardia acida, Tul. (Euphorbiaceæ). A shrub or small tree with a reddish bark.
jaudari(East Hausa),Solanum sp.Syn.gorgo,q.v.
jawul= Myrrh, the gum-resin ofBalsamodendron myrrha, Nees. (Burseraceæ); brought by Arabs; (possibly also that ofOdina Wodier, Roxb. calledjewulorjiyalin India).
jema,Vetiveria zizanioides, Stapf. (Gramineæ). “Vetiver” or “Cus Cus,” a tall clump-grass of marshy places; used forzana, and for plaiting straw armlets calleddarambuwa,q.v.In some districts the large swamp-grass with red-purple flowering heads—Rhytachne gigantea, Stapf.—is included.
jemo, a short club-shaped var. of the bottle-gourd;videunderduma.
jibda ḳassa,Cissampelos Pareira, Linn. (Menispermaceæ). “Velvet-leaf” of “False Pareira Brava.” An ivy-like twiner with greyish velvety leaves; the bitter root is sold as a medicine for many purposes, and is consideredsarikin ḍachiaszumaissarikin zaḳi. (The name is sometimes corrupted intojudar ḳas). Also calledfiyakaorpiyaka.videalso undergaḍaukuka.
jigari(Ful.), a var. ofdawa,q.v.
jimbiri, “haricots verts,” uncooked bean pods used for food,videunderwake.
jimfa,videmajimfa.
jimfiorjimpa jimpa(Kats. Sok. and Zanf.),videgajiri.
jimshi,videdussa.
jina jina(Sok. and Zanf.),videbajini.
jinin mutum,Arnebia Hispidissima, DC. (Boragineæ); a rough-leaved weed with small yellow flowers and a red root capable of use as a dye.
jirga(Sok. and Kats.),Bauhinia rufescens, Lam. (Leguminosæ). A shrub with small bifid leaves and black twisted pods; used medicinally and as a charm. Syn.tsatsagi(Sok. Zaria, Kano, &c.) ormatsagi.
jiri,Stereospermum Kunthianum, Cham. (Bignoniaceæ). A tree with beautiful pink flowers, smooth bark and slender pendulous pods; more commonly calledsansami,q.v.