The Leaves are trifoliate, the lateral pair without stalks, the terminal larger with an inch stalk. They are a dull, grey-green, often blotched on the under surface. The leaflets are 2-3 inches long.
The Flowers readily identify the species and are borne in bright red, terminal spikes. Each flower is a highly modified form of the “Pea,” and consists of a hood-shaped calyx and a large standard petal, folded down the middle, enclosing the long pistil and 10 stamens, some of which protrude with the pistil. They appear from November-January.
The Fruits are pods, about 6-7 inches long with embossed sections. They are sickle-shaped and dull green with a velvet covering. When ripe they split down one side and twist into fantastic bundles with the coral-red seeds attached alternately to the rims of the two sections. The vivid colour of the seeds gives the name “Coral Tree” to the species.
Uses.—The seeds are used locally by boys in playing games of chance.
EUGENIA GUINEENSIS DC.—Malmo. MYRTACEAE.
A very familiar species which grows along stream banks as far north as 12°, while from 11° south it may be found gradually more and more able to leave these where conditions are suitable as regards soil and moisture. In Zaria and Bauchi especially it may be seen along streams to the exclusion of nearly all other species, and where it attains large dimensions up to 40 feet with girths of 6 feet. Like most species of the fringing stream belts the foliage approaches close to ground level, except where good protection is formed by the wider influence of “kurmis” when longer boles are found. The crown is dense but not high. Both the flowers and fruits are distinctive features.
The Bark is very dark, sometimes almost black or very dark brown, often lichenous with a mottled appearance. The bark is fairly smooth with long rectangular scales of little thickness. The slash is bright crimson and of fibrous texture.
The Leaves are very variable in shape and size, the true type being oval with rounded base and short pointed tip. They are 3-5 inches long and variable in breadth in proportion to a constant length. The surface is smooth with a rubbery texture, dull wax-like green. The venation is very fine, consisting of a large number of parallel laterals inclined acutely forward connected by a fine network of interlacing veins. The leaves are often distorted, the mid-rib curved or the tip of the leaf cleft.