tuma da gobara (Sok. and Zanf.), Cymbopogon diplandrum, Hack. var. A tall grass with reflexed flower-spikes, very abundant in the bush; used for thatch. (Etym. from the crackling and jerking of the dry spikes when burnt). Syn. [tsikar daji], q.v.
tumbin jaki, Paspalum scorbiculatum, Linn. (Gramineæ); a wild grass used in some districts as a cereal; a sort of “hungry rice” or “bastard millet.” (Etym. probably from observed unwholesome effects).
tumfafiya, Calotropis procera, R. Br. (Asclepiadeæ). “Dead Sea” or “Sodom Apple.” (Arab. ashur, and closely related to the Indian mudar or ak—Calotropis gigantea). A large “Milkweed,” a common shrub of peculiar appearance with broad hoary-white leaves and milky juice, umbels of pink and purplish flowers and bladdery capsular fruit; only found near habitations and used in many ways, medicinally, for cordage, &c.
tumkiya, a grass; (applied loosely to several plants with white flowers or pale foliage). cf. [Ba-Fillatani], and [karani].
tumkiyar rafi (Sok., &c.), Heliotropium ovalifolium, Forsk. (Boragineæ). A coarse weed with small white flowers; used medicinally.
tumniya, vide [tinya].
tumu, ears of early ripening [gero] or [maiwa] and other cereals excluding maize, eaten roasted (not boiled, &c.).
tumuku, Coleus dysentericus, Baker (Labiatæ). A cultivated annual with tuberous potato-like root.
tumukun biri, Syncolostemon ocymoides, Sch. et Thon. (Labiatæ). A wild plant very similar to the above, with small tubers. Syn. ?sankwo (Kano).
tumukun suri, Potaxon pistillaris, Fr. An erect club-shaped fungus with brown dusty spores as in the puff-ball, commonly found on ant-hills. Synonyms numerous, e.g. muruchin jibba or m. jibji (Kano), wutar barewa (the Beri Beri equivalent, from the smoke-like cloud of spore-dust when burst), tabar angulu, tabar kura, geron kantu.