The Leaves are pinnate, 18 inches long with some 4 pairs of leaflets and a terminal leaflet. These are broad at the base, narrowing towards the tip, the margins sinuous, the basal lobes unequal, the short stalks flattened, the upper surface light green, shining, with a few hairs and a pronounced stickiness to the touch. They appear after the flowers. Young leaves are very slightly tinged red.
The Flowers. The spikes of both sexes appear from January to April. The male spikes are up to 9 inches in length, the flowers in irregular clusters with gaps, especially on the lower part of the spike, without flowers. Each has a small, 4-part calyx, 4 petals and 8 short, erect stamens. A few hairs are scattered about the spike, which is scented. The female spikes are some 3 inches long and sparsely flowered. Each has a small, 4-part calyx, 4 petals, the rudiments of 8 stamens and a rounded ovary with 4 stigmas. There is no scent. Though the spikes of both sexes appear well before the leaves, they may persist till the leaves are practically full grown.
The Fruits are similar to those of O. Barteri but very shiny. They hang in dense clusters of spikes, ripening from green to red to a purplish black, resembling cherries. There is a thin skin and juicy flesh round a large, hard stone containing a white kernel attached to the top and not filling the cavity. The fruits ripen in June and the crop is often prolific.
Uses.—The fruits are eaten fresh. The bark is boiled in water and the infusion taken as a medicine for stomach troubles.
ODINA BARTERI Oliv.—Farun doya. ANACARDIACEAE.
A very common tree in open savannahs, flourishing in deep or shallow soils, preferably of granite composition, and plentiful amongst rocks. It is a large tree up to 40 feet in height with girths of 6-8 feet and its characters are a short bole, rarely over 10 feet, and large spreading limbs forming a wide open crown. The branches are very pliant and the twigs droop. This and O. acida occur over large areas together, the rough bark and hairy leaves distinguishing the former.
The Bark is almost black and very rough, with deep, vertical fissures and long heavy scales which fall in large ragged lengths. The stem is thus often very shaggy. The slash is salmon pink with paler streaks.
The Wood is dirty white, with bluish and brown discolorations. In transverse section the rings are indistinct; the pores are very small, numerous, single and fairly evenly distributed; the rays fine and close together, hardly visible to the unaided eye. In vertical section the grain is rather coarse, there are no bands of colour and often a number of small knots. The wood is soft, of poor quality, easily worked and of the quality of Bombax. The weight is only 25 lbs. a cubic foot.