A very common, acacia-like shrub which occurs in dense thickets in open situations. It averages about 10 feet high, though it will attain nearly 30 feet, branches near the ground and is most readily distinguished both by its flowers and pods. It is of no use in the composition of the forest, but is quite ornamental in flower.
The Thorns are modified branches, each twig ending in a thorn which bears leaves, and is almost black in colour.
The Leaves are bipinnate, up to 4 inches long with 10-15 opposite pinnae, each bearing 15-20 pairs of dark, dull-green leaflets.
The Flowers, the most distinguishing feature of the species, are in pendulous catkins, shaped like large acorns. Those above (next the stalk) are functionless, except for attracting insects by their scent, and consist of 10 long, mauve filaments. Those below (at the tip) are yellow and consist of a pistil surrounded by 10 stamens. The whole flower-spike is 2 inches long with a 1½ inch stalk. They first appear in February and blossom for several months onwards.
The Fruits are bunches of small, brown pods which are so twisted and contorted as to assume fantastic bundles with alternate concave and convex surfaces outwards, each section the reverse of the next. They hold about four small, flat, black seeds, pointed at one end. The pods are very persistent and remain on the tree for several months. They fall without splitting.
Uses.—The stems are made into a good quality bow, very commonly seen, and also into sticks.
DIOSPYROS MESPILIFORMIS Hochst.—Kainya, Kaiwa. “Ebony.” EBENACEAE.
This species, though typically inhabiting the banks of streams and the depths of “kurmis,” is quite commonly found in dry situations, where it attains large dimensions. It is the same species as is found in abundance in the south, but while there it yields a fair proportion of black heartwood, in the north there is but a pencil or none at all. The form varies greatly according to locality. On stream banks in the savannahs, the foliage extends, as a rule, down to ground level, or near it. In the “kurmis” great, tall, tapering stems, cylindrical or, in some cases, apparently built up of a number of stems which have joined and formed a fluted column, or, in other cases, of a number of separate stems forming a huge crown, are the types. In some cases, e.g., north-east of Sokoto Province, a number of large trees occur in the middle of farm land on light sandy soil. These may reach a height of over 60 feet and a girth of over 10 feet.