A HAUSA
BOTANICAL VOCABULARY

abakuru, a dish made from ground beans; see under kwaruru.

abantoko, a var. of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__ q.v.

abawa, see under abduga.

abduga or auduga, native species of Cotton (Malvaceae)—G. peruvianum, Cav. G. punctatum, Sch. et Thon. G. obtusifolium, Roxb. G. arboreum, L. with varieties, hybrids and other introduced species. The Cotton Plant or raw cotton. Syn. kaḍa (Sok.). Varieties known in different districts include:—ba ka tuka, or ba tuka, ya tabshi, ya tsauri, or ya ḳarifi, kwanta Ali da zugu, Ba-Gwandare, yar gari (G. obtusifolium, var. Africana, Watt.), gwundi (G. peruvianum var. with red leaf veins), chukwi, laḅayi (G. punctatum), and kanawa or matan kanawa (G. arboreum, L. var. sanguine, Watt.); the leaves of the last or of gwundi are used to make a red dye for thread. guriya (Sok.), anguriya (Kano), or yan guriya = cotton seed; sutu or subtu = cotton separated from the seed by crushing with a stone and roller and pulling by hand before carding with the masaḅi or bakan shiḅa (cotton carding bow); saḅi or shiḅa = carded cotton; zare = thinly plied cotton thread, used mainly for the warp, and sometimes for warp and weft; abawa (Kano), or bartake (Sok.) = thicker loosely[6] plied thread used for the weft; (the coarse cloth goddo, or nuru (East Hausa), woven on a vertical loom in broad strips and with a fringe, has abawa in warp and weft); waḍari = cotton yarn ready for weaving; fari (Kano) = woven cotton strips; zugu (Sok.) = cotton strips in a roll (= kunkurun fari, Kano); sawaye (Sok.) = the same unrolled; taḅe (Sok.), or chin aduga (Kano) = to pluck cotton out of the pod.

abokin kibiya, a tall grass used for arrow shafts; see ḳyamro.

aburu, a type of grass that's eaten; see iburu.

acha, Proso millet, Stapf. (Paspalum exile, Kipp.) (Grasses); a small grass grown as a cereal in several Hausa regions, in Bornu, and by various pagan tribes. Syn. intaya (Sok. Kamberi, Kamuku, & others), “Hungry Rice”. cf. also tumbin jaki.

a chi da gero, a chi da kara, a chi da nono, variations of Guinea Corn; see under dawa.

aduruku, Newbouldia lævis, Sun. (Bignonia family); a tall, slender tree with beautiful purple flowers; frequently planted around local homes. Syn. What's up?

aduwa, Balanites aegyptiaca, Del. (Simaruba). “Desert Date”; a spiky tree found in the north, it loses its leaves in the dry season but has some evergreen branches, with two-leaved foliage and yellow, sweet-bitter fruit. Its gum is called ḳaron aduwa; the seeds produce “Oil of Betu” (Kanuri, bito); dabagira = the flowers of aduwa, boiled and eaten with daudawa, q.v. salt, and pepper; kaikwaiyo (Sok. Kano, &c.) = the kernel, which is sold as a medicine. The fruit is edible and is a common ingredient in fish poison.

ago or agu (Gwari); a fish poison, usually made from Tephrosia vogelii (cf. baina, see under majimfa); sometimes from the pods of Cassia species. (see gamma faḍa, &c.); cf. aduwa.

agugu, a local medicine; the root of a fern used for treating tapeworms; likely = “Male Fern” (Nephrodium Filix-mas); not originally from here; mainly imported from Adamawa.

agushi, the seeds of a variety of Watermelon, Watermelon (see guna); chewed raw or added to soup.

[7]aguwa see ḳaguwa.

akiye or akwiye, the seeds of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

akwalu (Kano and East), Trochomeria species (Cucurbitaceae); a wild climbing plant with a large tuberous root, edible when cooked. Also known as bask or basgo (West Sokoto).

akwuya, a variation of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, see also.

alale, Blighia sapida, Koenig (Sapindaceae). “Akee apple”; a tree found in the southern regions, featuring red capsule-like fruit; the fluffy white aril surrounding the seeds is edible. (?Nupé ella = the name of the fruit). In Hausa, it is generally called Gwanja kusa, q.v.

alambo, Sesbania leptocarpa, DC. (Legumes); a slender branched tree with yellow flowers and narrow jointed pods, commonly found along riverbanks. (Kanuri, paiya paiya). Other species include S. aculeata, Pers. S. ægyptiaca, Poir, etc.; cf. also sasabani and zamarke.

alayafu, Amaranth, L. (Amaranth family). Native spinach; an excellent cultivated vegetable; a red variety looks like the ornamental plant “Love-lies-bleeding.” farin alayafu, Celosia argentea, L. (Amaranth family); an upright weed found in fields, 1 to 2 feet high, with pink and silvery flowering spike, not cultivated but used as a pot herb.

albasa, Onion, Willd. (Lily family). The onion. Two varieties are identified: guda (Kano), or gudaji (Sok.), the standard bulb onion; and shafa (Kano), safa (Sok.), the spring onion; lawashi or gabu (Sok.) = onion leaves that are pounded and dried, sold as balls and used in soups. cf. tafarnuwa.

albasar kura, Urginea nigritiana, Bak. (Lily family), and other familiar bulb plants found in the wild.

albasar kwaḍi, Crinum yuccaeflorum, Salisb. (Amaryllis family); a common plant found in wet areas, featuring a cluster of large lily-like flowers that are white with a purple stripe. (Other species are included, and the names of this one and the last are often mixed up.) The scarlet-flowered [8] Hæmanthus rupestris, Bak. (Amaryllidaceae), known as "Blood Flower," shares the same name.

algarif, the seeds of the “Common” or “Garden Cress,” Garden cress, Linn. see labsur; marketed as a medicine; a red type algaro now in small clumps, and a black type usually sold loose; preparations are made for both external and internal use.

alhaji, Ærua tomentosa, Forst. (Amaranth family); a straightforward plant with silvery white leaves and flowers. (The name comes from its completely white appearance, but like Ba-Fillatani, see above, it might be used for other white plants as well). More commonly known as furfura ta gyatumi, see above

alibida, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

aliliba, Cordia abyssinica, R. Br. (Boragineae); a tree with wide leaves, white flowers, and sweet yellow berries used for making allewa, etc.

aliyara, see ḳaguwa.

alkama, Wheat, Lam. sub-race T. vulgare, Vill. “Common Wheat;” or T. composite, Linn. “Mummy,” “Miracle” or “Egyptian Wheat;” grown mainly in the north along riverbanks with irrigation. taliya, a type of macaroni made from alkama flour; gurasa, a type of local wheat bread; punkaso (Kano), or fankaso, wheat cakes fried in oil. The following are treats made from alkama:—dashishi, cakes similar to masa but made with honey-water; sunasar, a dish of wheat with meat and butter; tuwon ḅaure = tuwo made with finely ground wheat and butter instead of water.

alkaman tururuwa, Spermacoce stachydea, DC. (Rubiaceae); a common weed that goats and other animals eat. (Etym. tururuwa, a type of social harvesting ant).

alubada or alibi, Carpodinus hirsuta, Hua (Dogbane); a woody vine; one of the rubber plants found in the south.

amai mussa (Sok.), Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Grasses); a grass with a bad smell. (Etym. “cat’s vomit”). Syn. buddari (Sok.), q.v, and bunsurun fadama (Katsina and East).

[9]amara, Tacca involucrata, Sch. et Thon. (Tacca family); a wild perennial herb with an edible tuber; grown in some areas, mainly by the Fulani; in the Benué region, it’s collected wild and sold as a starchy meal. (It’s the same as “South Sea arrowroot” found in the Sandwich and Society Islands). see also under giginyar biri.

anguriya, cotton seed, see under abduga.

anza (Sok. Kats. &c.), hanza (Gobir), Boscia angustifolia, A. Rich. (Capers); a pale-leaved shrub; the berries are edible and sometimes the bark is prepared with cereals as food similar to the plant bagayi, q.v. hence also called anza rashin bagayi; including also the broader-leaved B. senegalensis, Lam. cf. zayi.

arakke (Sok.), see rake; Sugarcane, L. one of the two types of sugarcane.

ararabi, see hano.

ataras, a variety of kola nut; see under goro.

atillis, a tree that produces a nut yielding an oil used for medicinal purposes and food, etc. Canarium Schweinfurthii, Engl. (Burseraceae). “African Elemi Tree.”

auduga, see abduga.

awarwaro, Ipomoea aquatica, Forsk. (Convolvulaceae); a low-growing purple-flowered bindweed with arrow-shaped leaves, found in muddy and marshy areas; (often used to refer to other species of bindweed). Syn. furen gyado (because wart-hogs eat the roots).

aya, Earth almond, L. the “Tiger Nut” or “Rush Nut;” a type of sedge grown for its small, edible tuber.

aya, Cyperus rotundus, L. (Cyperaceae); a common wild sedge with edible, lightly fragrant tuberous roots. Syn. giri giri (Sok.); see also ḍan Tunuga. Other wild sedges, like Cyp. Fenzelianus, Steud., &c. are included.

ayaba, Musa acuminata, L. (Scitaminae); the Banana. Musa paradisiaca, L. the Plantain. ayabar daji , Musa species a wild species with astringent pulp and black stony seeds.

[10]ayana, Vitis Thonningii, Baker, Vitis gracilis, Baker, and other species (Ampelidaceae); species of wild vines with small berries. Due to the acidity of their leaves, they are also known as yakuwar fatake or y. mahalba. see also buḍa yau.

ba-anguri, a type of gero, *see also*

baba, b. rini, or b. core; Indigo plant; mainly Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other cultivated species of Indigo (Legumes); I. tinctoria, Linn. I. Anil, Linn., &c. cf. talaki. kwosusu = the second crop of dad, said to be the better; shuni = prepared indigo, the extracted blue dye-stuff, usually sold in cones or small masses and not used in dye-pits; shuḍi = cloth or thread dyed blue; tamaseki = a kind of home-made indigo made by women, from dad in pots.

baba hun (nasal baba hm), Gynura cernua, Benth. (Asteraceae); a common weed with purple flowers and lyre-shaped leaves; used in soup, etc.

babar fadama, Indigo plant wild species found in wet areas.

babar giwa (Hadeija, etc.), see bushi.

babar plus (Sok.), Sea ambrosia, Linn. (Asteraceae); an aromatic plant, 1 to 2 feet tall, with divided leaves that look like Wormwood. Syn. bababa (named for its common presence in indigo fields); also referred to as babar divorce and tutubidi (Sok.).

dad vibes, Rogeria adenophylla, J. Gay (Pedaliaceae); an upright plant with wide leaves, purple tubular flowers, and sticky sap. Also known as loda (Sok.), but see dafara.

babar talaki, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Benth. (Legumes). “Yoruba Wild Indigo.” see talaki and compare farin sansami.

babar tamau, Indigofera arrecta, Hochst. and other species that are wild or have escaped from cultivation.

[11]babba juji, b. jibji; 1. In Sokoto and Katsina = Datura Metel, Linn. (Solanaceae), known as the “Hairy Thorn Apple.” Syn. zaḳami, q.v. 2. Elsewhere usually = Boerhaavia adscendens, Willd. (Four o'clock flower), a common low-growing weed found in trash heaps, etc., with small pink flowers; also called sarikin juji q.v.

bădo, Nymphaea lotus, Willd. (Nymphaeaceae). White Water-lily; the starchy rhizome and seeds are edible. (Other species include N. guineensis, Sch. and Thonn. with white flowers; N. Heudelotii, Planch. and N. blue, Sav. with purplish flowers), see kwankwarita.

Ba-Fillatani, Heliotropium undulatum, Vahl. (Boraginaceae); a small weed with white flowers. (Similar names are loosely used for other plants with light-colored leaves; for example, the grass karani, q.v. and cf. alhaji.)

bafuri, see under balbela.

bagaruwa (Kano, Sok., etc.), or gabaruwa (Zaria), Acacia tree, Willd. (Legumes). “Egyptian Mimosa.” Indian “Babool.” An acacia with yellow flower balls and jointed pods—“Sant pods” or “Gambia pods”—used throughout the Sudan for tanning; also utilized in making a black dye for leather, called kuloko, q.v. The original source of true gum arabic. (Etym. the first name is a metathetic form of the synonym gaba ruwa.)

bagaruwar kassa, Cassia mimosoides, L. (Legumes); a common weed with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.

bagaruwar Makka, see zogalagandi.

ba gashi? (Kontagora), see under sheḳani.

bagayi, Cadaba farinosa, Forsk. (Capers); a small-leaved grayish shrub that tends to scramble. The leaves and twigs are mixed with grains to create a type of pudding or cake that is popular in East Hausa and Bornu, known as parsa (Kanuri), baleno, or tsawa. Syn. balambo. N.B. This plant is often confused with anza, q.v. and in some areas (like Katagum, etc.) it is referred to by the latter name.

Ba-Gwandare (or bugundare); 1. a variety of cotton, see under abduga. 2. A variety of dawa, see above (from Gwandara, the name of a tribe).

[12]baina, 1. A type of grass with edible seeds. Syn. baya, see 2. The fish poison made from Tephrosia vogelii, see under majimfa.

ba-jini, Afrormosia sp. (Legumes); a tree with light-colored leaves and flat pods. (Etym. from the red resinous bark). Syn. jina jina.

ba ka tuka or ba tuka, a variation of cotton, see under abduga.

baḳin bunnu (Katagum), Indigofera pulchra, Vahl. (Legumes); a small shrub with stiff stems, occasionally found alongside thatching grass. (The name might also refer to other similar species used in this way.)

bakin kada, a var. of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

bakin mutum (Sok.), Pleioceras species (Apocynaceae); a shrub with milky sap and long, thin pods. Syn. baking butter, sandan mayu (these names are associated with mystical uses in divination, etc.); also gamma sanwa (or g. sauwa), referring to the forked stem with 3 or 4 developing fruit sections that resemble a tripod stove for a cooking pot = sanwa. (? = Holarrhena wulfsbergii, Stapf).

bakin rakumi, a variant of dawa, see above. Syn. ḳerama, and mallen kabi.

bakin suda, Polycarpaea corymbosa, Lam. (Cinnamon); a small wild herb with whitish, fluffy flowers; barely different from magudiya, q.v. (suda is the name of a bird).

balagandi, see under rawaya.

balambo, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

balasa, or balasaya, Commelyna nudiflora, Linn. (Commelynaceae); a “spiderwort,” a weed found in pastures and neglected areas, featuring delicate blue flowers; collected as livestock feed. Syn. kununguru (East Hausa).

balbela, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Asteraceae); a white-leaved weed with yellow flowers. (Etym. the name of the white padi bird.) Syn. bafuri, and fara saurai, q.v.

baleno, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

bambami (Kontagora, etc.), Alchornea cordata, Benth. (Euphorbiaceae); a tall woody vine found in ravines.

bambamko (East Hausa), see falfoli.

[13]bambana, the flowering spike of shalla, see also a tall bulrush found in marshes.

bamboo (East Hausa), a type of watermelon; see guna.

barabutu, a variation of “Bread-fruit” (Breadfruit); a term used by Hausas in Lagos, etc.

barambo (Gobir). Syn. __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

Barankachi or Baranchaki, Jack bean, DC. “Sword Bean.” “Overlook Bean” in the West Indies. It’s a large climbing bean commonly found near native homes; not widely consumed by the Hausas; ripe pods are used as rattles by children. Syn.? ladiko, q.v. vide also waken Ankwa. Dan zago (Kano) is a red-seeded variety of the same. (Etym. chăki = a rattle).

barbaji (East Hausa), Randia nilotica, Stapf (Rubiaceae); a thorny shrub or small tree found in the north. Syn. tsibra or tsura (Sok.).

bitter, half a kola nut; see under goro.

ba reshe? (Kontagora). Syn. aduruku, see also.

barkono, Chili pepper, Bl. (Nightshade). “Shrubby Capsicum,” “Spur Pepper,” etc., and C. per year, Linn. “Chillies” or “Red Pepper,” etc. Synonyms and varieties include: tanka or tankwa (Sok.) = toshshi or twashshi (Sok. Gobir and Zanfara), small red peppers; tsidufu = the smallest and hottest peppers; bunsurun barkono, a small spherical variety; tatasai (Sok. and Kats.) or tugandai (Kano, etc.) = large and less spicy chillies. vide also filfil.

bark on a friend, Cephalandra species. (Cucurbitaceae); a wild climbing plant with bright red fruit that looks like peppers; not safe to eat.

barmatabo (Katagum, etc.), Merremia pentaphylla, Hall. f. (Morning Glory Family); a type of morning glory found on fences, etc., with finger-like leaves and white flowers. namijin barmatabo, Ipomoea pilosa, Sweet (Convolvulaceae). Syn. yako (Sok. and Kats.); a coarsely-leaved morning glory, featuring blue or purple flowers, commonly seen on fences. (The local names refer to several species.)

[14]ḅarna chiki or ḅata wandon Buzu, a kind of edible bean that can lead to unpleasant effects if eaten in excess.

bartake, see under abduga.

ba ruwana, Salix species (Willow family). Willow; found along riverbanks. (The name comes from how the branches can slip away if someone tries to grab them while drowning). Syn. rimini (Sok.).

ba samu (Sok. and Zanfara). Syn. hano (Sok. and Kats.), and ararabi, q.v. Boswellia serrata, Hutch. and Boswellia dalzielii, Hutch. (Burseraceae). (The two species are barely distinguished by the different local names). Species of the “Frankincense Tree,” featuring pale parchment-like bark and white flowers, producing a fragrant resin.

basgo or basko, a tuber, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

ḅata wandon Buzu, see ḅarna chiki.

ba tuka, a type of cotton, see under abduga.

Ba-Ude, a type of bean, vide under wake, and ḍan Uda.

bauje, a plant from the Asclepiad family that has milky sap and an edible tuber resembling a turnip; likely Xysmalobium Heudelotianum, Decne. (Asclepiadaceae). Syn.? rojiya; cf. also saniya and daiyo.

dad (East Hausa), Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Legumes). Syn. fara ḳaya, see above.

baurairai, Gloriosa superba, L. (Lilies); a climbing lily with beautiful red and yellow flowers and a tuberous root. Syn. gatarin kuregé (Sok.), and gudumar woman (Kano and East), due to the shape of the flexible stamens.

Baure, Ficus gnaphalocarpa, A. Rich. (Nettle family). Rough-leaved fig tree, with edible figs. Baure swamp, B. rafi & etc. = various species of Fig tree, large broad-leaved trees found in ravines; farin baure, see uwar yara. lubiya or rubiya = edible figs of baure and other species of Fig tree (see durumi, cheḍiya, gamji).

Bauren Kiyashi; 1. Chrozophora senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceae); a common weed used for medicinal purposes. Syn. damaigi, see also (kiyashi = a species of ant). 2. A type of fig tree (Ficus species).

[15]baushe, Terminalia sp. nr. T. macroptera, G. et P. (Combretaceae); a large tree with flat winged fruits. Bows and walking sticks are made from the roots. (Multiple species are included, such as T. Elliotii, Engl. and Diels. T. Baumannii, Engl. and Diels. T. avicennioides, Guill. et Per.).

bawu, see under shinkafa.

baya (Katag. and East), baina (Kano), Panicum albidulum, Kunth. (Poaceae); a wild grass with edible grain that is commonly used as food in East Hausa. Syn. save, and ?garaji, q.v.

bayama (Kontagora, etc.), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. (Legumes); a tree of the Cassia tribe, featuring white flowers and cylindrical pods; (likely also including other species, see bogo zage, gamma faḍa, etc.).

bayan mariya, Andropogon ceresiæformis, Nees. (Poaceae); a common bush grass often used for thatching. (Etymology: “cob’s back,” referring to its brownish color when it’s mature).

bazaḳa (Gobir). Syn. zaḳo, a variety of bean; see under wake.

Ba-Zanfare (Katagum, etc.), Cassia occidentalis, L. (Legumes). Syn. rai ḍore, see above.

bazana (Zaria and Kano), Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. (Burseraceae). Syn. dali, q.v. a tree with green smooth bark, planted around local homes.

bazaume or bizarre me (a variation of Ba-Zabarme); a variant of gero, see there.

bidi, 1. a variety of earth-nut; see under gujiya. 2. A speckled variety of bean; see under wake.

bijaje (Ful.), Ficus species nr. F. populifolia, Vahl. (Urticaceae); a fig tree with pale bark and drooping branches, found on rocky hills in Yola province, etc., which is said to be an ingredient in arrow poison.

bi ni da zugu, or chi ni da zugu, Jatropha curcas, L. (Euphorbiaceae). “Purging Nut;” “Physic Nut,” etc. A soft-wooded shrub with broad leaves, often used as a hedge; one of the less significant oil-seeds; seeds used in traditional medicine (see kufi). (Etym. from the[16] purging property and the implied need to be ready with grave-cloth).

bi ni zwei zwei (bi ta zei zei); a traditional remedy used by young people as a love charm, etc., consisting of hard, shiny seeds from a plant—Nat. Ord. Acanthaceae. (Etym. related to the hurry or eagerness in pursuing the object of desire.)

bishiya, pl. bishiyoyi, general term for tree.

bi ta ka tsira, Vangueria Dalzielii, Hutch. (Rubiaceae); a shrub with round berries; used for medicinal purposes. (The name likely refers to various plants thought to counteract arrow poison—makarin dafi, see above.)

biya rana or good morning, Crotalaria obovata, Don. (Legumes); a yellow-flowered undershrub with inflated pods. (Etymology similar to “heliotrope,” from the way the leaf surfaces turn toward the sun). b. awaki, or geḍar awaki, gujiyar awaki, hudar awaki, are names used for different species of Crotalaria, utilized as fodder; see geḍar awaki.

bogo sale (Zanfara), Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and other species (Legumes); a tree with long, cylindrical pods that are used to stun fish. see ago. Syn. gwazkiya, and cf. gamma faḍa, and bayama.

bubuchi (Sok.), Panicum interruptum, Willd. (Poaceae); a grass found in marshes and along rivers, growing 2 feet or taller, featuring long, narrow green flowering spikes.

bubukuwa or sabko bubukuwa, Tripogon minimus, Hochst. is a small tufted grass. (The name comes from its habitat where the pelican is thought to land, and it is believed to be the first grass of spring).

elder today, the same as ayana or yakuwar fatake, see above and possibly other plants with sour leaves that are used to quench thirst; (yau = saliva).

buddari, Eragrostis major, Hochst. (Grasses); a grass that grows about 1 to 2 feet tall, with an unpleasant odor. Syn. amai mussa, see above and bunsurun fadama. (Etym. buddari, an animal with a bad smell).

bugundare (a variation of Ba-Gwandare), a type of cotton and a type of Guinea Corn.

[17]bundin kurege, see wutsiyar kurege.

bununi, the projecting stamens of any grass; most commonly referred to as gero and dawa.

bunsuru, a synonym for __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

bunsurun daji refers to several types of coarse grass, such as Heteropogon contortus, R. and S. (“Wild oats”), among others.

buran jaki, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

buran kare, see under ḳwododon kwaḍo. (The name is also used for some types of fungi).

buran zaki, Kiwano, E. Hey. (Cucurbitaceae). Syn. nonon kura, q.v.

burburwa (Sok., etc.), Eragrostis tremula, Hochst. (Poaceae); a wild grass around 2 feet tall; great for fodder; seeds are consumed when food is scarce. Syn. komaya (Kano, etc.). burburwar fadama, komaya ta fadama, Eragrostis biformis, Kunth. and possibly other species; grasses measuring 2 to 4 feet high in meadows, etc. see also under tsintsiya.

burtuntuna, Ustilago species. is a smut fungus that targets the fruiting dawa, creating a black powder; it is also known as bunsuru.

burugu (Sok.), Panicum stagninum, Koen. (Grasses); a grass that overcrowds swampy streams; it's great for livestock feed; the soft, juicy stems can be sucked on or turned into sugar-water.

burungu, unhusked rice. Syn. shanshera; see under shinkafa.

Burzu, Vernonia Perottetii, Sch. Bip. (Asteraceae); a weed found in cultivated fields, featuring blue thistle-like flowers. Burzun World = the stone of the fruit of ḍinya, see also

bushi (Sok.), Bergia suffruticosa, Fenzl. (Elatine); a low, heath-like plant that's used for medicinal purposes. Syn. babar giwa (Hadeija, &c.).

buta, one of the types of “Bottle-gourd;” see under duma.

bututu, the thin end of certain types of the “Bottle-gourd” used as a blowing horn; see under duma.

chauchaka? (Zanfara), Capparis tomentosa; see ḳabdodo.

checheko, see zamarke.

cheḍiya, Ficus thonningii, Blume (Nettle family); a very common tree with dark green leaves and small figs; widely used as a shade tree.

cheyi, a fiber, see under yawa.

chichiwa (Sok.), Mærua angolensis, DC. (Capers); a small tree with white flowers and long, beaded fruit.

chi ni da zugu, see bi ni da zugu; Jatropha Curcas, “Physic Nut.”

chiriri (Sok. and Zanf.), Combretum Kerstingii, Engl. and Diels. (Combretaceae); a tree that produces gum, has smooth leaves, and bears 4-winged fruit. Syn. dagera and possibly also zindi, q.v.

chitta, Amomum Melegueta, Roscoe (Scitaminae). “Guinea Grains.” “Grains of Paradise.” “Melegueta Pepper.” A capsule fruit with small red aromatic seeds that are used as a spice. chitta komfa, or chitta yaji = another variety of spice.

chitta Afu, Ginger, Roscoe (Scitaminae). Ginger. (Afawa, a non-Christian tribe in Nassarawa).

chiwo or chuwo, Landolphia owariensis, Beauv. and L. florida, Benth. (Apocynaceae). Rubber Vines; tall woody climbers with white fragrant flowers and orange edible fruit. (The latex from L. owariensis produces good quality rubber, while that from L. florida is not useful).

chizaki, probably the same as ḳabdodo, see also

chuchun kariya or gaton kariya, see gujiyar hankaka.

chukwi, a type of cotton; see under abduga.

chusar doki, a supplement or food to keep horses healthy; made from leaves of kuka, see also dusa and kanwa.

dabagira, see under aduwa.

dabino, Phoenix dactylifera, Linn. (Palms). Date Palm. The types of dates are:—zabiya or jan dabino, a long, sweet red variety; maga or ḍan damana, a variety without pits. kilili = date flowers. dabinon biri, a shorter palm species that produces small yellow fruit resembling dates, found in ravines; used for weaving mats, straw hats, etc. Syn. kajinjiri. (Phoenix reclinata?).

dabrin saniya, see under gadon machiji.

dadawa or dawa dawa, a grass; see gyazama.

daddawa (Kano), or daudawa (Sok.), is a type of black fermented cake made from the seeds of the ḍorowa, see also Syn. takaluwa.

ḍaḍori or ḍoḍoriya (Kano and Sok.), Vitis quadrangularis, Linn. (Ampelidae); a vine with square, fleshy, jointed stems that climbs on trees. (The name comes from its multiple branches at the joints). Syn. tsatsarar kura. “Edible-stemmed Vine.”

dafaddu, Elk’s-horn fern; a plant that grows on other plants. Platycerium aethiopicum.

dafara, Vitis pallida, Baker (Ampelidae); a vine that produces a type of wild grapes; the bark of the root creates a sticky solution that is mixed with local cement for lining dye-pits, &c. Syn. load or Lodar Marina, cf. also baba rodo. The fruit, used in soup, is sometimes called lubiya, q.v.

dagera, Combretum species (Combretaceae). A tree that produces gum. Syn. chiriri.

daiyo (Ful?), see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_1__, etc.

dakushe, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

ḍakwora, Acacia Senegal, Willd. (Legumes); a thorny acacia with clusters of white flowers and gray bark; the source of the true “gum-arabic.” Ar. hashab. see also yawa and meḍi. The name also includes the similar Acacia Dudgeoni, Craib.

[20]dalaka, a type of kola nut; see under goro.

dali (Kano, Katsina, etc.), also dala, Commiphora Kerstingii, Engl. (Burseraceae). A soft-wooded tree with smooth green bark, planted around local compounds. Syn. bazana (Kano and Zaria), gurzun daly (Katagum, etc.), hana gobara (Zanfara, named for the wood and foliage being hard to ignite). ka ḳi ganin bula (Zanfara); also bar na gada (due to its long lifespan and inheritance).

dalo, Combretum glutinosum, Perr. (Combretaceae); a tree that looks like chiriri and taramniya, see above

damaigi, Chrozophora senegalensis, A. Juss. (Euphorbiaceae); a common weed with small red flowers; used for medicinal purposes. Syn. ḅauren kiyashi, see above. One of the ingredients in the local remedy rigya kafi, see above.

damana biyu, see ḍan arbain, a type of bean.

damba = ?Andropogon tectorum, Sch. et Th. (Grasses); a tall grass found in marshes, and so on, that is used as livestock feed when it's young, and for zana when it's mature.

damro or dauro, a type of millet (Pennisetum spicatum, B. and S.), similar to maiwa, see compare gero.

ḍan arbain, a type of bean grown close to water that is expected to mature in 40 days. Syn. next two days (Sok. and Kano), and kaka two (Gobir).

dan control, a type of date; see under dabino.

dandami, see under lallen shamuwa.

dandana, Schwenkia americana, Linn. (Solanaceae); a herb with narrow tubular flowers, used for medicinal purposes. Also known as parpatse or farfatse (Kano).

dan data (ḍan ḍwata), see ḍataniya, a bitter grass. Thelepogon elegans, Roth.

ḍan farkami (Sok.), Monechma hispida, Hochst. (Acanthaceae); a common weed in pastures, featuring rough leaves and white flowers. Syn. ?fiso (Sok. and Kats.), fisawa (Katagum).

Dan Garraza = flowers of the tamarind tree—(hudar tsamiya).

Dan Kadafi or hankaḍafi, the name for a crab-louse, used for several plants with seeds that stick to clothing like burs. (Etym. similar to “Cleavers”).[21] Mainly = Desmodium lasiocarpum, DC. (Legumes). Syn. maḍaḍafi, q.v. Also Triumfetta pentandra, A. Rich. (Tiliaceae), see suren fadama.

dankali (Kano, &c.), Sweet Potato, Lam. (Convolvulaceae). Sweet Potato. There are red and white varieties. Syn. dukuma and kudaku (Sokoto and Zanfara), typically referring to the red one; lawyer = the white one. kugundugu, a name used in Benue, Yola, &c. = Yor. kukun duku.

thank you, friend, dried leaves of the convolvulus Ipomoea pilosa, Sweet, and other species; see yako and barmatabo; used medicinally.

danko maiwari, Ficus species is a southern tree that produces low-quality rubber.

dan kwataho, a type of kola nut; see under goro.

Dan kwoloje, a type of bean; see under wake.

dan marike (Katagum, etc.), Indigofera secundiflora, Poir. (Legumes). see under marike.

dan Tunuga or kajiji ḍan Tunuga; the fragrant tuber of a sedge, Cyperus species (Tunuga = a town in French Borgu). Probably Cyperus rotundus, cf. aya aya and kajiji.

Dan Uda or Ba-Ude, a type of bean, half white and half black; (see a type of sheep with the same name. Udawa a group of Fulani); see under wake.

danya, Spondias species (Anacardiaceae); a tree with feather-like leaves and yellow plum-shaped fruit that tastes good. The fruit is known as nunu. cf. also tsadar Masar.

ḍanyen gumi = husked but uncooked rice; see gumi and shinkafa.

danyi (Sok.), see dayi.

Dan's here, a type of bean, see under ḅarankachi.

darambuwa = armlets made from braided grass, so it's used for various types of grass; see karani, gaji, jema, & etc.

dargăza, Grewia mollis, Juss. (Tiliaceae); a shrub with small yellow flowers; the bark is slimy and used in soup, and sometimes to solidify mud floors.

[22]dashi, Balsamodendron africanum, A. Rich. (Burseraceae). “African Myrrh.” “African Bdellium.” A shrub that resembles Blackthorn, producing a fragrant gum-resin that is used for medicinal purposes and as a scent for clothing. namijin dashi, Balsamodendron pedunculatum, Kotschy. et Peyr. A shrub that’s somewhat similar but less fragrant than the one mentioned above.

dashishi, see under alkama.

data or ḍwata, a small bitter native tomato; see under gauta.

ḍataniya or ḍwatana, Thelepogon elegans, Roth. (Grasses); a bitter grass used as a tonic for horses. Syn. gishirin ɗawaki and ḍan ḍata . (From the bitter taste).

datsi, Aristida Sieberiana, Trin. (Poaceae); a grass with long awns, commonly found in the north. jan datsi see jan bako.

dauḍa or kwardauḍa, Dicoma tomentosa, Cass. (Asteraceae); a small thistle-like weed. Syn. flour uncle. (Etymology possibly from its use as a local treatment for rotting wounds).

dauḍar Maguzawa, ?Blepharis linearifolia, Pers. (Acanthaceae); a thorny plant with blue flowers. Syn. faskara toyi, and ?gigi, q.v.

dauḍar ruwa, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

daudawa (Sok.), see daddawa and ḍorowa; see also under kiriya. daudawa beso, seeds of yakuwa (Hibiscus sabdariffa, Linn.), for reference boiled and prepared either for eating or as a medicinal ingredient, daudawar kuka, seeds of kuka (Baobab tree), made into cakes, etc.

dauro, see damro.

dawa, Sorghum, Pers. (Grasses). “Guinea Corn.” “Great Millet.” “Durra.”

The following are some of the many varieties:—abantoko (Illo); a chi da gero—grows quickly and is ready with the gero;

a chi da kara, matures at the same time as sugar-cane (takanḍa);

[23]a chi da nono (like farafara), a fine grain that’s exclusively used for kunu and not for tuwo;

akwuya, a yellow grain used for horses;

bakin kada, a type with a long head;

bakin raḳumi (from the slender quivering habit), the same as ḳerama;

bugundare or Ba-Gwandare, a variety with a compact head; (cf. a variety of cotton; see abduga);

farafara, a white type;

giwa kamba, a bigger white variety than farafara, takes longer to mature;

hannun giwa, white with a large head of grain;

janjari (Sok. = jigari, Ful.) or janari, a type of lower-quality red grain that is used to make red kunu and tuwo;

jar dawa, a red grain used for horses;

kaura, recognized as the best for horses, commonly found in Zanfara; in two varieties, namely:—kaura mai farin kwono (or mai farin soshia), and kaura mai baḳin kwono;

ḳerama, a red grain with a loose, drooping cluster (= bakin raḳumi);

maikeri, early maturing and regarded as one of the best;

makafo da wayo, a soft sweet variety, a luxury (dawar sarakuna);

malle (Sokoto West), grown in damp areas;

mallen Kabi, same as ḳerama;

mallen mama or mallen Zanfara, a bigger nodding type similar to the last;

marmare, a soft sweet type, almost the same as makafo da wayo; eaten whole;

masakowa or mazakwa (Ful. maskwari), a variety of corn grown during the dry season in alluvial soil as the rivers recede; primarily found in Adamawa and Bornu; sometimes consumed whole after cooking;

wayo, a red or yellow type;

zago, the same as kaura.

Burtuntuna = Ustilago species a type of smut that affects guinea corn, creating a black powder in the ear; also known as ḳatsa ḳatsa and bunsuru.

[24]gyamro = the secondary shoots of guinea corn that come from the roots left after harvest; it's said to be harmful to animals.

domana, a sticky pest; (?Sorghum Aphid).

karan dafi, the red leaf sheaths of certain types of dawa, used for making a red dye.

kusumburuwa, corn that grows from stray seeds; it's often thought to come from unhusked grains and doesn’t always fully mature. The stems are used to make flutes (sarewa).

sambara, dawa or gero harvested when half-grown and allowed to ripen later. cf. also karmami and yabainya.

dawa or dadawa, a grass; see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

dawar kada (d. rafi, d. dorina, &c.), Sorghum halepense, Pers. a very tall riverside grass with pith in the stems; the likely ancestor of cultivated dawa; one of several known as “Elephant Grass.”

daw (?Hausa; Yoruba ai-da), Tetrapleura thonningii, Benth. (Legumes); a large tree with thick, four-sided pods sold as a market drug in the south; cf. kalangon daji and sandan mayu.

dayi, Centaurea calcitrapa, Linn. (Asteraceae). “Star-thistle.” A thistle with long, straight spines, commonly found in fields, etc.; eaten by camels; one of the plants sometimes referred to as “caltrop;” cf. Tsaido. Syn. ḍanyi (Sok.), and surendi (Kats.). namijin dayi, Lettuce species a type of wild lettuce; probably includes several field plants of the Nat. Ord. (Composites).

dayin giwa, see under sare gwiwa.

ḍeiḍoya (ḍoiḍoya or ḍoḍoya), Ocimum americanum, Linn. (Lamiaceae); a fragrant herb related to basil. (The name also includes other introduced species planted near homes:—Basil, Willd. Fever plant found in S. Leone and Liberia. Basil, Linn. Sweet Basil. Æolanthus Buettneri, Gürke, etc.)

ḍeiḍoyar kare or ḍ. fadama, Hyptis spicigera, Lam. (Lamiaceae). A weed found in neglected areas. Syn. riḍin kada. gonna, Leucas martinicensis, R. Br. (Lamiaceae). A fragrant weed with clusters of small white flowers. Syn. sarakuwar lizard (Kats.).

[25]dinkin, the young leaves of certain plants used fresh with groundnuts, salt, pepper, etc., prepared as food; mainly d. duniya (v. ḍinya); also of zuwo, q.v. and sometimes referred to as drama and other plants with edible leaves.

ḍinya (Kano), ḍumya (Sok.), Vitex Cienkowskii, Kotschy et Peyr. (Verbenaceae); a common tree with finger-like leaves, fragrant flowers, and a black plum-like fruit used in making maḍi; see under dinkin; ḅurzu or ḳurzun ḍinya = ḳwalon ḍinya, the stone of the fruit.

ḍinyar biri, Vitex diversifolia, Bak., is a shrub or small tree with fragrant leaves and flowers that resemble those of dunya.

dirin da rani (Kano), a type of rama, see also.

ḍiwa, Rhytachne congoensis, Hack., a tall grass; used for making screens, zana, etc.

ḍiyan hanwawa (Sok.), Ctenolepis cerasiformis Hook. f. (Gourd family). A climbing plant with red berries; (hanwawa or hawainya = chameleon); syn. namijin girlfriend.

ḍoḍoriya, Vitis quadrangularis, Linn. (Ampelideæ), see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

ḍoiḍoya or ḍoḍoya, see ḍeiḍoya.

doka, Isoberlinia doka, Craib. et Stapf (Legumes); a large tree with white flowers, shiny leaves, and big flat pods; very common in central Hausaland. fara doka, Isoberlinia dalzielii, Craib. et Stapf, a large tree that's closely related to the previous one, with lighter leaves and bark.

domana, a sticky pest on Guinea Corn and other grains; (?Sorghum aphid).

domashi, Vernonia Kotschyana, Schultz. (Asteraceae); a low shrub with a bitter root, used as a tonic and for other medicinal purposes. domashin maza? (Katagum), see under matsarmama.

doorway or ḍorawa, Parkia filicoidea, Welw. (Legumes). “African Locust Bean Tree;” a large tree similar to an acacia with drooping clusters of deep-red flowers and bunches of pods; the seeds and the mealy yellow pulp[26] from the pods are used as food. kaluwa = seeds of ḍorowa, which are made into black fermented cakes called daudawa (Sok.) or daddawa (Kano), and also takaluwa; makuba = fermented extract of husks of ḍorowa pods, used for hardening floors, sides of indigo pits, etc. saḅada or safada (Kano) = young fruiting heads of ḍorowa (named for their resemblance in shape and texture to a woven garment of that name). tutu (or turu-turu) = the red drooping flower clusters (sucked by children); gundar tutu = the unexpanded flower buds; garda = the unripe pods when they are bright brown in color and starting to form seeds (the name of a brown-winged dove). The stages from bud to pod are:—kashin awaki, kashin raḳuma, tutu, safada, garda. harawan ḍorawa = the membranous lining of the pods used as a fiber for tying arrows, etc.

doya, Dioscorea sativa, Linn. D. prehensilis, Benth. D. abyssinica, Hochst. D. alata, L. (Dioscorideae). Cultivated yams. see also sakata, and ḳarasa (doyar kudu).

doyar bisa, the edible solid bulbs found in the leaf axils of specific species of Dioscorea. Syn. tuwon biri.

doyar daji, wild species of Dioscorea.

doyar kurege, Curculigo gallabatensis, Schweinf. (Amaryllis family); a yellow-flowered plant with a thick upright rhizome. Syn. muruchin makeruwa, q.v.

document a hawk, see ḳayar giwa.

dufuwa, a thick thorny bush, cf. gumbi and ḳumchi; usually referring to the acacia known as sarḳaḳiya, q.v.

dukki or dunki (Sok. and Kats.), Celtis integrifolia, Lam. (Nettle family); “Nettle Tree;” a large tree with jagged leaves resembling those of the nettle; the young leaves are used in soup and as animal feed. Syn. zuwo (Kano, Zaria, &c.). cf. also dinkin.

dukuma, see under dankali.

dulu, Ficus species a tree that produces big figs; often found in ravines.

duma, Bottle gourd, Ser. (Cucurbitaceae). “Bottle Gourd,” “Club Gourd” or “White Pumpkin;” the[27] common white-flowered cultivated gourd with soft leaves and variously shaped fruits known by different names:—buta, gora, and gyandama, common water-bottle gourds; jallo, a small pear-shaped one used to carry ruwan alwalla; ḳoḳo, kwokwo or kwachiya, a small calabash used as a cup; kumbu, similar but with a cover, used as a small box for snuff, etc.; ḳwariya, a common larger calabash; masaki and mabakachi, the largest calabash used at market, and for separating grain from husk, etc., etc. ludai or luddai (Sok.), a bottle gourd with a narrow neck, split to make spoons, ladles, etc. kololo, similar to luddai, with a hollow neck; gako (Sok.), like luddai but with a solid neck; moda, a larger bottle gourd with a curved neck that serves as a handle, the body pierced for use as a dipper or handled pot; shantu, a long narrow gourd used as a musical instrument; bututu, the narrow part of shantu or luddai, etc., used as a blowing horn; jemo, a short wide-mouthed club-shaped or large pear-shaped gourd used to hold milk, etc.; zuru and zunguru, club-shaped or cylindrical gourds used for applying lalle to the hand; kurtu, bottle or club-shaped with a narrow neck, the wider part used for immersing the hand in henna dye, and the narrow part used as a blowing horn; kwoton tadawa, an ovoid tubercled gourd used for native ink-pots, etc. vide also kulbutu or tsana (Sok.), an edible variety resembling a cucumber, and kurzunu, a tubercled variety of the same.

dumar dutsi, see under gaḍaukuka.

dumar kada, d. rafi, Ipomoea repens, Lam. (Convolvulaceae); a common creeping vine with broad, round leaves and purple flowers.

dumar kwaḍi, Ipomoea species a variety of bindweed.

ḍumya (Sok.), see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__ (Kano).

ḍunḍu, Dichrostachys nutans, Br. (Legumes); a thorny shrub resembling an acacia, featuring drooping lilac-colored flower spikes and clusters of twisted pods; fiber comes from the root bark. see under meḍi and yawa.

dunki, vide __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

[28]durumi, Ficus syringifolia, Werb. (Nettle family); a well-known type of fig tree with small figs and glossy, heart-shaped leaves that provide excellent shade.

dushe (Kano), dussa (East Hausa), Acacia Seyal, Del. (Legumes); the “Talh” gum-acacia; a thorny tree with yellow flower balls and a reddish powder on the bark. Syn. jimshi (Sok.), and ?gishishiya (Zanfara).

duza (Sok. and Zanf.), Setaria aurea, Hochst. (Grasses). “Bristly Fox-tail Grass;” a grass found in wet areas, used for thatch. Syn. ḳyasuwar rafi or ḳ. ta fadama. cf. ḳyasuwa.

ḍwata or data, a small local bitter tomato; see under gauta.

ḍwatana, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

fafewa (Sok. and Zanf.), Pennisetum unisetum, Benth. (Poaceae); a tall grass with hollow stems and sharp leaf edges. (Etymology: because it scrapes the hand—fafe = to scrape.) Synonyms: karan choix and korkoro (Kontagora).

falafel (Sok.), Mimosa pudica, Swartz. (Legumes); a tall, slender plant found in marshes, with spongy pith used for floats (karu), etc. Syn. gombiliki, and bambamko (East Hausa).

fankaso or punkaso, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

fara doka, Isoberlinia dalzielii, Craib. et Stapf (Beans); a large tree; see under doka.

farafara, a white variety of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

fara geza, Combretum aculeatum, Vent. (Combretaceae); a shrub with white flowers (somewhat resembling hawthorn), and 4-sided fruit.

fara ḳaya, Acacia Sieberiana, DC. (Legumes); a gum-producing acacia with long white thorns, dark leaves, and white flower clusters. Syn. dad (East Hausa).

fara saura, Pulicaria crispa, Clarke (Asteraceae); a weed with white leaves and yellow flowers that is common in fields. (Etym. saura or sabra = fallow fields). Syn. bafuri, and balbela, q.v.

[29]farfatse or parpatse, see dandana.

fari, see under abduga.

fari, a type of Watermelon; see under guna.

farichin shafo, or ḳumbar shafo (= “falcon’s claw”); a tall acacia with strong curved thorns, similar to ḳarḳara, q.v. Acacia campylacantha, Hochst. or closely related species.

farin gammo, Ipomoea argentaurata, Hall. f. (Convolvulaceae); a creeping convolvulus with white flowers and silvery-haired leaves. Syn. ka fi boka. (Etym. ganmo, gammo or ganwo = a head-pad).

farin sansami (Sok. and Kats.), Lonchocarpus laxiflorus, G. et P. (Legumes); a tree with purple flowers. The leaves can provide a dye similar to indigo. cf. talaki. Syn. shunin biri, and cf. halshen sa.

faru, Odina Barteri, Oliv. (and other spp. Anacardiaceae); a large tree with pinnate leaves and small berries; the bark produces a resin. Syn. tuḍi (Zanfara), or farun biri (Sok.). In Sokoto faru or distant people = Odina species different from the above, with lighter and smoother leaves.

farun makiyaya, a wild vine; see under tsibiri kinkini.

fasa daga, the seeds of the tree kawo, q.v. Afzelia africana, Sm. (Legumes), are sold as a medicine or charm in battle, etc. (The name comes from its use as a charm in fights—daga—to scare the enemy, inspired by the way the pods explosively burst open and scatter the seeds). It's also known as fasa maza.

fasa kabba, or fasa kumburi, Portulaca oleracea, L. and other spp. (Portulacaceae). “Purslane.” A weed with juicy leaves, used locally to treat swellings. (Etym. “disperse swellings”). Syn. sarikin jibji, and harshen saniya or dabrin saniya; cf. gadon machiji and vide rigya kafi.

fasa ḳwari, Zanthoxylum senegalense, DC. (Rutaceae); a spiky tree with feathery leaves, found in the valleys of the Benué region; the scented bark is sold as both medicine and seasoning.

[30]faskara giwa, Ormocarpum bibracteatum, Baker (Legumes); a shrub with strong, flexible branches, small feather-like leaves, and purple flowers. (The name comes from the tough texture of the wood that even an elephant can't break). In Zanfara, this is sometimes called tsa q.v.

faskara toyi, Blepharis linearifolia, Pers. (Acanthaceae); a spiky herb with blue flowers and thorny leaves used to create decorative lines on pottery. Syn. gigi? dauḍar Maguzawa? (Etym. because it often stays unburnt when the grass is set on fire).

fatakka, Pergularia tomentosa, L. (Asclepiadaceae); a plant with round, grayish leaves and milky sap; used by tanners as a “bating” bath after hair removal and before tanning. Syn. quota (Sok.).

fate, a remedy or love potion used by women, made from the leaves of shiwaka, etc. (Vernonia amygdalina), see above. Also a dish made from various plants, for example, the flowers of tsamiya, or leaves of rama, yaḍiya or zoḅarodo.

feḍḍa, screens typically made of bulrush shalla, see above.

fidda is not available, Dyschoriste Perrottetii, O. Kunth. (Acanthaceae); a plant found by the water. (The name comes from the use of the seed to remove grass spicules, etc., from the eye, as the foreign particle sticks to the slimy coating of the seed when it comes into contact with the eye).

fidda sartsi, or fidda saruta (Gobir), Euphorbia lateriflora, Sch. et Thon. A shrub with milky sap often used for hedges. (The name comes from its use as a poultice to remove a splinter).

fideli, Cassia Absus, L. (Legumes). “Four-leaved Senna;” a small shrub with sticky leaves used for medicinal purposes.

filasko, Cassia obovata, Collad. (Legumes). “Italian,” “Senegal,” or “Tripoli Senna;” a small shrub with yellow flowers and flat, sickle-shaped pods that have cross ribs; it’s one of the types used for commercial senna.

pepper, a spice; likely a variety of Capsicum (Arabic felfel).

fisawa or fiso? see ḍan farkami.

[31]fita, Clinogyne filipes, Benth. (= Donax filipes, Schaumann) (Scitaminae); a water plant with spear-shaped leaves typically used to wrap food.

fiyaka, see jibda ḳassa and gaḍaukuka.

fuda or huda = young flower buds from any tree; see also tofo and labaye. hudar awaki, refer to geḍar awaki.

fular tsofo, Polycarpaea linearifolia, DC. (Caryophyllaceae); a herb with clusters of white, fluffy flowers. Syn. magudiya, see also compare bakin suda.

fura, a grass, Pennisetum pedicellatum. Syn. __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

fure = a flower; (when unqualified generally = flowers of the tobacco plant).

women's fate (f. gyado), see awarwaro.

furen yan sariki, Lonchocarpus species? a tree with clusters of blue or purple flowers; used as a symbol by someone who aspires to be king.

furfura ta gyatumi (or jatumi), Ærua tomentosa, Forst. (Amaranth family); a fuzzy white upright plant; see alhaji. (Etym. “fuzzy hair”). The name is generally used for some other plants with a white appearance.

gaba character (Sok. and Zanf.), Acacia Dalzielli, Craib. (Legumes); a tree with clusters of yellow flower balls. (Etym. the name of the yellow-breasted thrush Cossypha albicapilla). Syn. gonna.

gabara (Sok.), Giant reed, L. (Grasses). “Spanish Reed;” a very tall grass found along riverbanks, with a hollow stem and large silky flower head; the stems are used for making flutes and pipe stems. Syn. machara, see above and wutsiyar gwiwa.

gabaruwa, syn. __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v. Acacia arabica, Willd.

gabu, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gadakuka or gadaukuka (Katagum, etc. the Ful. name); Aristolochia albida, Duch. (Aristolochiaceae); a[32] climbing plant with strangely shaped dark purple-black flowers; sometimes mistaken for jibda ḳassa, q.v, and the bitter root marketed as such; a treatment for Guinea-worm, etc., and a bitter tonic. Syn. maḍachin kassa, dumar dutsi, and ?fiyaka.

gadagi, Alysicarpus vaginalis, DC. (Legumes); a common herb, used when ripe as horse feed; (including the similar A. rugosus, DC.).

gadon machiji (Sok.), Trianthema monogyna, L. and T. pentandra, L. (Ficoidaceae). “Horse Purslane;” two very similar and common succulent weeds that grow densely in abandoned areas. Synonyms include hana taḳama (because you have to walk carefully among it) and dabrin saniya (= “cow’s lip” but cf. halshen saniya or fasa ḳabba). The name is also commonly used for a species of convolvulus, yamḅururu, q.v.

gadu (Zanfara), Pavetta Barteri, Dawe (Rubiaceae); a shrub whose leaves are used as food by some pagan tribes, along with kunu made from cereals, etc.

gagayi is an aphrodisiac mix of 12 ingredients; see gangawari; it’s also applied to several plants believed to have the same properties, for example, baḳin gagayi = Fadogia agrestis, Schweinf. (Rubiaceae), a straight-growing plant with a tough root.

salary (Sok.), a type of grass used for making armlets, etc. (Syn. karani and darambuwa).

gajiri, Cymbopogon hirtus (Grasses); a tall grass used for thatching, for zana, etc. Syn. jimfi, or jimpa jimpa (Sok. Kats. and Zanf.). The name likely refers to more than one species.

gamba, Andropogon Guyanus, Kunth. (Grasses); a very common tall grass with forked flowering spikes; probably the most commonly used grass for zana.

gamji or money (Kano), Ficus platyphylla Del. (Urticaceae). “Gutta-percha Tree;” a large tree with broad, noticeably veined leaves and small edible figs (see lubiya). The latex produces a lower quality rubber (“Red Kano rubber”).

[33]gamma faḍa (Kano, etc.), Cassia kotschyana, Oliv. (Legumes); a tree with yellow flowers similar to laburnum and long cylindrical pods that don't split open. Syn. malga or marga (Sok. Gobir, etc.). Also Cassia Sieberiana, DC. and possibly other species (very similar to the “Pudding Pipe Tree”—Golden shower tree). The dark pulp surrounding the seeds is a laxative. It is hardly distinguishable in Hausa from the somewhat similar Cassia Arereh, Swartzia madagascariensis, Oliv. and others whose pods split longitudinally. See under bayama, bogo zage, and haḍa fuḍa. The pods of some of these are sometimes used as fish poison, see under ago and baina. (Etym. gamma faḍa—“leading to feud,” due to unskilled or improper use as a drug.)

gamma gari, see under goro.

gamma sanwa, see bakin mutum.

gammon bawa, Merremia angustifolia. Syn. yamḅururu. (Etym. the same as a Beri Beri term—“slave’s head-pad”).

gandi, a variation of kola nut; see under goro.

gangamau, Curcumin, L. (Scitamineae); Turmeric, a plant similar to ginger; the rhizome is sold in slices and used as a yellow dye for leather, etc. Syn. turri. (Kanuri kurgum, Arabic and Hebrew kurkum). cf. zabibi.

game (Sok.), the extended leaves of the palms goriba or giginya, etc. Syn. kari (Kano); almost the same as kaba, q.v.

gangawari, the thickened root of a sedge or grass; one of the key ingredients of the aphrodisiac gagayi, see above

ganji (Kano). Syn. gamji, see also Ficus platyphylla, Del.

ganji gaga, a variety of kola nut; see under goro.

Ganwon Rama = bundles of raw hemp fiber, see under rama.

garafuni, Balsam pear, L. (Gourd family). “Balsam Apple;” a climbing plant from the cucumber family, featuring yellow flowers and orange-yellow bumpy fruits; it’s used for medicinal purposes, in soups, and as a soap that creates a sticky solution in water.

[34]namijin garafuni, Ctenolepis cerasiformis, Hook. f. is a twining plant from the same family, featuring bright red, cherry-like fruit. Syn. ḍiyan hanwawa (Sok.).

garafunin fadama or g. kwata, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

garamani (Sok.), Sida cordifolia, L. (Mallow family); a tough weed with soft heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers; (a nuisance in Sokoto, etc.). Syn. farin garamani as distinct from baḳin garamani or ramaniya, q.v. In East Hausa sometimes called mai-ḳafo (referring to the paired long structures on the carpels); also Gaddafi (Katagum). The bark produces a fiber.

garage, a type of grass used for animal feed that also produces edible grains. It’s similar to baya and saḅe, see above.

garangarma, see under guna.

garasa, see katsaimu.

gardayi, Acacia macrostachys, Reich. (Legumes); a species of acacia that produces gum and is commonly found in Sokoto province.

garicha (Zanfara), Ficus sp. (Urticaceæ). see haguguwa and uwar yara.

gasaya (Kano, &c.), Gynandropsis pentaphylla, DC. (Capers); a common herb found near homes, with 5-leaved leaves and white flowers; used as a cooking herb. Syn. yar ungwa (Sok.). The name namijin gasaya is used loosely for several weeds, such as Amaranthus polygamous, L. (Amaranth family), Polanisia viscosa, DC. (Capers), Croton lobatus, L. (Euphorbiaceae), &c.

gatarin kurege (Sok.), Gloriosa superba, L. is a climbing lily, more commonly known as baurairai, see above.

gatarin zomo, Tacca pinnatifida, Forst. more commonly known as giginyar biri, see also

gaton kariya or chuchun kariya, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gauḍe, Gardenia erubescens, Stapf and Hutch. (Rubiaceae); a shrub commonly found in the bush, producing fragrant white tubular flowers, sturdy wood, and yellowish ovoid edible fruit. Women use the fruit to make a type of black cosmetic katambiri, see above.

[35]gauḍen dutsi (Sok.), Gardenia Sokotensis, Hutch. is a small shrub with white flowers that grows on rocky hills.

gauḍen kura, Gardenia ternifolia, Thunberg (= G. Thunbergii, Linn. f.), a shrub like gauḍe, with rough, inedible fruit.

gaugayi, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gauta, Solanum species Native bitter tomato; probably a variety of Eggplant. ḍata or ḍwata (gautan ḍwachi) is a small very bitter variety, bright red when ripe, and usually lobed; used in soup; kulufita, smaller than gouts; yalo, a large variety that is bright red when ripe, often eaten raw = Eggplant, var. defenseless, Hiern. (N.B. The “Brinjal” or “Aubergine” or “Egg Plant” is S. Melongena, Linn.).

gautan bagirmi, vide __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gautan kaji, Solanum nodiflorum, Jacq. (= S. nigrum, var. guinean, Linn.) “Black Nightshade;” an upright, branching weed found in neglected areas, featuring white flowers and small black berries. cf. gautan tsuntsu.

gautan kura, Solanum incanum, L. is a spiky shrub with grayish leaves, yellow fruit similar to tomatoes, and white or lilac-purple flowers; it can cause delirium as a poison. The name also refers to other toxic species of Nightshade found in various areas. It’s sometimes called idon saniya = “ox-eye,” derived from the Fulani name giti nai.

gautan kwaḍo, Cardiospermum halicacabum, L. (Sapindaceae). “Balloon Vine,” “Winter Cherry,” or “Heart Pea;” a sprawling plant found in wet and neglected areas, featuring tendrils and beautiful leaves, small white flowers, and a swollen 3-angled capsule. Syn. garafunin fadama or garafunin kwata (kwata = riverbank); see also godar zomo.

gautan tsuntsu, Solanum scalare, C. H. Wright; a plant from the local tomato family, featuring small red edible berries, grown near homes. (The name is often mistaken for gautan kaji, see above.).

[36]gautan zomo, Muksia scabrella, Arn. (Cucurbitaceae); a rough-leaved climbing plant (similar to Bryony), with small red berries. Syn. malami, q.v.

gawasa, Parinarium macrophyllum, Sabine (Rosaceae). “Ginger-bread Plum;” a wide-leaved tree found in the northern provinces, producing a dry fruit that resembles a plum.

gawo, Acacia tree, Del. (Legumes); a large acacia tree that is very common in the north; it produces creamy-white flower spikes and orange-yellow twisted pods; it loses its leaves during the rainy season and blooms from October onwards; the leaves are good food for camels. A type of pack saddle called tasshi (East Hausa) is made from the bark.

gayan, a type of climbing bean. (?Vigna membranacea, A. Rich.), see waken barewa.

gossip, a tall grass, used for arrow shafts.

gazari, a variation of kola nut; see under goro.

gazari or snack (Hadeija), Mærua species (Capers); a tree with smooth bark, light-colored flowers, and small, bead-like pods.

geḍa (Kano, etc.), gyaḍa (Sok.), Arachis hypogaea, L. (Legumes). “Ground Nut.” “Monkey Nut.” “Archides.” “Earth-pea.” In Sokoto, it’s usually called gujiya, see above. It can be eaten raw, roasted, or prepared in various ways. man geḍa = the oil extracted from it, used for cooking and as a source of light; harawar geḍa, ground-nut hay, is a valuable dry-season fodder; kwalli kwalli, balls or rings like doughnuts, made of ground-nut paste fried in oil. gujiya kolanche (Sok.), a variety of geḍa with long pods.

geḍar awaki, common leguminous weeds found in fields, characterized by yellow flowers and inflated pods, used as animal feed. Syn. hudar awaki, biranar awakening, &c. (Crotalaria cylindrocarpa, DC. C. atrorubens, Hochst. C. macrocalyx, Benth. C. maxillaris, Hochst. and other species).

gedar kurumi, Pterocarpus esculentus, Sch. et Thon. (Legumes); a tree that grows along riverbanks and in forests in the south, featuring yellow flowers and short, oddly shaped pods with two seeds. The seeds—also known as gunduru—are roasted and eaten in times of scarcity.

[37]geḍar ruwa, Trapa bispinosa, Roxb. (Onagraria). “Water Chestnut.” “Water Caltrop.” An aquatic plant with floating leaves and edible horned fruit, grown in ponds. (Barely known in Hausa; the name is similar to the Ful. biriji diam). Syn. kwankwarita (East Hausa).

gemen kusu or g. ḅera, Fimbristylis exilis, R. and S. (and other spp. Cyperaceae); a small tufted sedge with very thin leaves and a lightly fragrant root. Syn. riḍin tuji.

gero, Pennisetum typhoideum, Rich. (= P. spicatum, R. and S.). “Bulrush Millet.” “Pearl Millet.” cf. maiwa (P. spicatum, var.), and damro; (see also under karmami and yabainya).

Some varieties of gero are:—

idon hawanya, with a large grain hidden in the husk;

haḳorin machiji (North of Kano), a long spike with plenty of tiny, hard grains;

zango, featuring a very long fruiting spike;

zamfaruwa; bazaume or bazarme (a corruption of Ba-Zabarme);

girgera or gargasa, a white-grained type similar to maiwa, but regarded as one of the best or most refined (= farin gero or geron Adar, due to its commonality in French regions);

ba anguri (East Hausa), the same as or a similar variety to girgera;

tarnekuwa; wuyan bajimi, a short, thick spike with tough grain and a lot of chaff;

tamangaji, a type with pointed grains;

lawur, a fast-growing variety that ripens quickly;

shibra or shura (Pennisetum benthamii, Steud. var.?), a short and thin-stemmed variety that matures early; (also used to refer to infertile spikes that don’t mature, picked while young and used in kunu or soup, etc.).

Lesser variations are:—

halshen damo, with a split spike;

gero mai geme, when the bottom part of the flowering spike is made up of multiple sections;

[38]gero mai gashi, a bristly spike, (valued because birds can't eat it), and referred to as gargasa (= hairy) in Kano; the same as girgera;

gumba = gero cleaned, husked, winnowed, and ground up to be eaten raw with milk and other foods.

Geron bird, 1. Phyllanthus pentandrus, Sch. and Thon. (and other similar kinds of Euphorbiaceae); a common, slender-branched weed with tiny capsule-like fruit that birds eat; syn. hats in the sun. 2. The fruiting head of a type of bulrush (Common reed), known as shalla, q.v.

gewayen tsamiya, typically = Vitis quadrangularis, see ḍaḍori, but is also occasionally used for various other plants that grow under or climb on the tamarind tree.

geza, Combretum species likely C. altum, Perr. (Combretaceae); a shrub or small tree with white flowers and 4-winged fruit, commonly found 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.), see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

giginya, Borassus flabellifer, var. Ethiopia, Warb. (Palms). “Deleb Palm,” “Fan” or “Palmyra Palm;” a common straight-stemmed palm with fan-shaped leaves.

muruchi = the young germinating shoots, eaten as a vegetable; shedari = a mat made of the unexpanded fronds—(called murlin giginya, vide under murli).

ḳodago, the nut, and the kernel kwalshi, see under goriba. also see gangame, kankămi, and ḳarari. ḳarri (Kano) = fronds of giginya, see kaba.

ḳundu (Kano) = the swelling of the giginya stem.

giginyar biri, Tacca pinnatifida, Forst. (= T. involucrata, Sch. and Thon.) (Taccaceae). It’s a perennial herb that looks a bit like a small palm, featuring long-stalked, divided leaves and a cluster of greenish flowers alongside yellow, juicy fruit. The large starchy tuber is a crucial food source in some countries; a variety of [39] known as “arrowroot” is made from it in the Pacific Islands and other places; see under amara. Boys refer to the tall flowering stems as sandan yan bori, sandan biri, or sandan dutsi, and they use them like toy spears. The plant is also called gatarin zomo and ?yayu or tara yaya (Katagum).

girgera, a var. of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

giri giri, 1. In Sokoto = aya aya, see the tuber of a sedge. 2. In Kano, Hadeija, etc. = ?Pachyrhizus tuberosus, Spreng. “Yam Bean” or “Manioc Pea;” a bean with a starchy tuberous root. (see also sa baba sata). The name includes Vigna ornata, Welw. a tuberous-rooted bean, with beautiful pink flowers, in the Benué district (Munchi-ahoma). A speckled variety of the seeds is called kashin kaza.

gishirin dawaki, a grass; vide __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gishishiya? (Zanfara), a type of acacia; see dussa.

giwa kamba, a var. of __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__, q.v.

giyeya or giyaiya, Mitragyna africana, Korth. (Coffee family); a tree with round flower clusters, commonly found in wet areas.

gizaḳi (Zanfara), Carissa fruit, Vahl. (Dogbane family); a climbing shrub with sweet black berries. The root is added to the goran ruwa to make the water taste better. Syn. ?stay alert.

gizari, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gizgiri, Cyperus auricomus, Spreng. (Cyperaceae); a tall sedge with a tuberous, slightly fragrant root that is used like kajiji, see above. Syn. kajijin fadama; (possibly the same as ḍan Tunuga, see above).

gizgirin kaba, see under goriba.

godar zomo, Tinnea Barteri, Gürke (Lamiaceae); a small shrub with deep purple flowers and a swollen calyx. (Etym. “hare-bell”). (Also refers to Cardiospermum halicacabum, see gautan kwaḍo, because of the swollen capsule).

goga jiki, Combretum species ?C. leonense, Engl. and Diels.; a tree with rough, cracked bark. (The name comes from the irritation[40] of the skin when carrying firewood in the arms). It produces gum. ?Syn. wuyan damo, q.v. gogin damo (Zanfara).

goga masu, Mitracarpum scabrum, Zucc. (Rubiaceae); a weed with small white flowers, used as a remedy for head lice, itching, etc. (Etym. “smear spears,” from its traditional use as a protection against wounds). Syn. harwatsi (Sok.).

goge (?Hausa), Feretia canthioides, Hiern. (Rubiaceae). Syn. ḳuruḳuru, see also and lallen suri.

gogin damo, see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

goji, pumpkin, see under kabewa.

gojin jima or gunar jima, Adenopus breviflorus, Benth. (Gourd family); a wild pumpkin-like vine that grows on trees, featuring oval mottled fruit that tanners use for removing hair.

gombiliki (Sok.), see __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gongola or gwongola, a canoe pole made from the tukuruwa palm, see also (gwangwala = the name used by the Nupé people for the palm Raphia vinifera).

gora, a variety of bottle gourd; see under duma.

gora, Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Monro (Poaceae); a type of bamboo that is often found in ravines.

gorgo (?Kanuri), Solanum species; the flowers of a plant similar to the native tomato (gout), used for cleaning the teeth. Syn. gautan bagirmi and jaudari (East Hausa).

goriba, Hyphaene thebaica, Mart. (Palms). “Dum Palm.” “Ginger-bread Palm.” Common palm with forked stems. kaba, q.v. = the fronds, used for weaving various items; gizgirin kaba = the thick root of giginya; kwalshi = the edible kernel of the unripe nut eaten raw; ḳodago or ḳwalu = the ripe hard nut; the rind is used as food and in making maḍi (molasses) and allewa (a sweet treat); zaḳi birri (East Hausa or Kanuri) = the rind made into cakes (waina, &c.). Fiber is obtained from the root, vide under meḍi. cf. also gangame, kankămi, ḳarari and murli.

goriya, see under goro.

[41]goro, Kola Nut; the seed of Cola nut, Schott. and Endl. and other species (Sterculiaceae). (The true Kola has seeds that can be divided into 2 sections (cotyledons), while other species usually have 3 or 4. “Genuine” Kola nut = C. acuminata (Gold Coast). “False” Kola nut = C. Johnsoni and C. verticillata (Gold Coast). “Bitter Kola seeds” = Garcinia cambogia, Engl. (Guttiferae) (N. and S. Nigeria), edible but not a stimulant). Imported from Gold Coast, Lagos, and Adamawa; cultivated in some southern provinces. Some of the many trade varieties are:—

goriya, pl. goriye, the largest nuts; marsa, the second largest nuts; minu, the smallest; labuje, a large pale variety from Gwanja 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 that can be divided into 3 or more sections, from Bamyo, & c. (named for the sticky juice); ḍalaka or ḍan laka, a larger nut resembling hannu ruwa; sandalu, also a pale nut of a similar type; ganji gaga, pale with about 4 sections, of lower quality; from Bafum, & c.; gazari, an inferior variety that's sticky like hannu ruwa, from Bafum, & c.; ibi, an inferior variety from Yoruba that doesn't redden the mouth (sometimes classified as goron biri); gandi, an inferior pale variety similar to ibi; jan karago, an early maturing rough-skinned variety; gamma gari, matures at the peak of the season; nata, red and smooth, usually small.

ḅare = half a kola nut; gutsuri = pieces of kola nut shared among a group.

saran waga = 100 mixed-size nuts; farsa = the individual sections.

mijin goro, Sterculia or Soda, or Garcinia species. (see above), “Wild Kola,” “False Kola,” used for medicinal purposes. see also sarawan goro.

Goron person or g. water, Irvingia gabonensis, Hook. f. (Simarouba); a large evergreen tree found near streams and in ravines, featuring scarlet plum-like fruit.

[42]school kids, an insect gall on the grass called katsaimu, see also.

guda (Kano) or goddess (Sok.), a bulb; the common onion, one of the varieties of albasa, see above.

guḍe guḍe, Dactyloctenium ægyptiacum, Willd. (Grasses). “Comb Fringe Grass;” a small grass with 4-rayed spikes; great for horse feed.

gudumar biri, vide __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gudumar zomo (East Hausa), a name for Gloriosa superba, L. see baurairai.

gujiya (Kano &c.), Voandzeia subterranea, Thouars. (Legumes); a type of ground nut; the so-called “Bambarra Ground Nut.” Syn. kwaruru, q.v. N.B. In Sokoto and some other areas, gujiya is also used for geḍa (Peanut)—kwaruru or Voandzeia subterranea is distinguished as g. dukkus (Sok. and West), etymology from its dwarf growth habit; similarly, g. ḳwarasḳwaras (Sok. and Kano); g. tsugunne (Kano)—etymology tsugunna = to squat—gujiya al kuluga and g. maikwokwo (referring to the shape of the pods resembling the tiniest calabash) are names used in East Hausa; g. kolanche (Sok.) = a long variety of Peanut or geḍa, q.v. bidi = one of the varieties of gujiya with spotted and mottled seeds.

gujiyar awaki, see geḍar awaki.

gujiyar dawaki (Zanfara), Polygala arenaria, Willd. see sa hankaki dako.

gadget shop (Katagum), Indigofera echinata, Willd. (Legumes); a weed with small prickly pods, eaten by goats, etc. Syn. kwankwan dafi (Sok. and Kats.); also chuchun kariya or cat carrier.

gumba, see under gero.

gummy, a term used for various plants that create thorny thickets; for example, in Sokoto gummy usually refers to Mimosa asperata, a thorny shrub that is very common along riverbanks. see ḳaidaji and compare dufuwa and ḳumchi.

gumi = rice that’s been boiled and dried (the way it’s usually sold); gumi candy = rice that’s been husked but not boiled yet. see under shinkafa.

[43]gun, Cucumber, Schrad. (Gourd family). The “Watermelon” (a highly variable species). gunar mutane or kankana = the edible or garden watermelon, with red flesh and black or red seeds; gunar shanu = the common semi-wild and cultivated variety with deeply lobed leaves and round fruit that has green stripes when unripe; fari (Kano and East) = a large watermelon, usually white-fleshed; kwokiya = a smaller sweet melon; tamna geḍa = a small melon similar to kwokiya, but only consumed cooked (= garangarma, East Hausa); bambus = a variety known in the north; agushi (Yoruba egushi) = watermelon seeds, sold for various uses—including chewing, medicine, oil, and food.

gunar jima, see gojin jima.

gunar kura, Cucumber Figarei, Del. (Cucurbitaceae); a wild sprawling gourd with oval, slightly prickly fruit; more commonly known as tsuwawun zaki, see also; also referred to as maḳaimi.

gunda, gundar kabewa = the small, immature fruits of the pumpkin (see kabewa), used in soup. gundar turu turu = unexpanded flower buds of ḍorowa, see above.

gunduru, see under __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__.

gunguma, a plant with long leaves (?Amaryllis), used to daze birds, and sometimes mixed into arrow poison. ?Syn. murtsunguwa.

guntsu = seeds of kuka, see also