PSOROSPERMUM SENEGALENSE Spach.—Kashekaji. Kaskawami. HYPERICACEAE.
A common shrub in the Bush savannahs, not extending very far north, but abundant in secondary growth after cultivation. It is common amongst the rocks on the Bauchi plateau almost up to the 4,000 feet level. It is equally common all through Zaria and S. Sokoto, in fact, anywhere up to 12° N. It forms a large, compact, round shrub some 15 feet high with dense foliage, generally on a single, low-branched stem. The distinguishing character is the rusty-coloured underside of the hairy leaves.
The Bark is light brown and has small corky ridges and fissures.
The Leaves are from 3-5 inches long and 1½-2½ inches broad, in pairs, ovate, with wavy margins, tapering tips, very short stalks, downy on both surfaces, that on the upper surface rubbing off to expose a light, shiny green. The under surface is densely covered with rust-coloured down, readily rubbed off and exposing a fine network of veins with a minute black dot in almost every cell and a pronounced row of dots all round the margin. The mid-rib is recurved causing the leaf to fold up along it. The shoots are covered with orange-coloured hairs.
The Flowers are in dense clusters 3-4 inches in diameter, from January onwards. Each is ¼ inch across, has a 5-pointed calyx with vertical purple lines on the inside, 5 white petals densely covered with white hairs, 5 columns of stamens with some 9 anthers each and a pistil with 5 lobes each with a globular stigma, shining brown.
The Fruits are capsules with 5 cells, one generally maturing at the expense of the rest. They are a little over ¼ inch in diameter, purple, shiny and fleshy. The sepals clasp them close, and the stigma remains are persistent.
Uses.—A concoction of the leaves and bark is applied for skin diseases.
