PLANTS FOUND NEAR LAKE BUNYONYI IN

Authors: Vita Movrin and Nuša Kos Thaler

Maribor, 2018

INDEX: Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle) ...... 5 Albizia grandibracteata ...... 5 Aloe Vera ...... 6 Amaranthus (Pigweed) ...... 6 Artocarpus heterophyllus () ...... 7 Bidens pilosa (Black jack) ...... 7 Bryophyllum ...... 8 Calliandra ...... 8 Calotropis procera (Sodom apple) ...... 9 Cassia fistula (Golden shower tree) ...... 9 Coffea (Coffee) ...... 10 Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass) ...... 10 Datura stramonium (Thornapple) ...... 11 Desmodium ...... 11 Dracaena steudneri (Steudner dragon-tree) ...... 12 Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed) ...... 12 Erythrina abyssinica (Red hot poker tree) ...... 13 Eucalyptus ...... 13 Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree) ...... 14 Ficus vallis-choudae (Haroni fig) ...... 14 Heteropogon contortus (Spear grass) ...... 15 Hibiscus brackenridgei (Yellow Hibiscus) ...... 15 Hibiscus sabdariffa (Pink Hibiscus) ...... 16 Hypoxis (Star grass) ...... 16 Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potato) ...... 17 Ipomoea purpurea (Blue and purple morning glory) ...... 17 Manihot esculenta (Cassava) ...... 18 buchananii ...... 18 nouchali (Day Water lily) ...... 19 Oxalis latifolia ...... 19 Passiflora edulis (Purple passion fruit) ...... 20 Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass) ...... 20

2

Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass) ...... 21 Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean) ...... 21 Prunus africana (Red stinkwood) ...... 22 Phoenix reclinata (Wild date palm) ...... 22 Pteridium aquilinum (Eagle fern) ...... 23 Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) ...... 23 Saccharum officinarum (Sugar cane) ...... 24 Sesbania grandiflora (Hummingbird tree) ...... 25 Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade) ...... 25 Sorghum bicolor ...... 26 Tagetes lucida (Mexican marigold) ...... 26 Tridax procumbens (Coat buttons) ...... 27 Tradescantia zebrina (Wandering Jew) ...... 27 Zingiber officinale (Ginger) ...... 28

INDEX OF PHOTOS: Photo 1: Acacia Mearnsii (source: https://bit.ly/2Jw0tX4 ) ...... 5 Photo 2: Albizia grandibracteata (source: https://bit.ly/2AGipvk ) ...... 5 Photo 3: Aloe Vera (source: https://bit.ly/2z90R8s ) ...... 6 Photo 4: amaranthus (source: https://bit.ly/2qlcLIX ) ...... 6 Photo 5: Artocarpus heterophyllus (source: https://bit.ly/2CTQY2F ) ...... 7 Phozo 6: Bidens pilosa (source: https://bit.ly/2zjEvlw ) ...... 7 Photo 7: Bryophyllum (source: https://bit.ly/2Oif2OA ) ...... 8 Photo 8: Calliandra (source: https://bit.ly/2ziOUxD ) ...... 8 Photo 9: Calotropis procera (source: https://bit.ly/2Rthx2K ) ...... 9 Photo 10: Cassia fistula (source: https://bit.ly/2ziPn2Y ) ...... 9 Photo 11: Coffea (source: https://bit.ly/2EYWcgb ) ...... 10 Photo 12: Cynodon dactylon (souce: https://bit.ly/2F88tPJ ) ...... 10 Photo 13: Datura stramonium (source: https://bit.ly/2OgLam1 ) ...... 11 Photo 14: Desmodium (source: https://bit.ly/2Pvf8Y9 ) ...... 11 Photo 15: Dracaena steudneri (source: https://bit.ly/2Dg0AG6 ) ...... 12 Photo 16: Epimedium (source: https://bit.ly/2Oiz3ow ) ...... 12 Photo 17: Erythrina abyssinica (source: https://bit.ly/2PvfPRf ) ...... 13 Photo 18: Eucalyptus (source: https://bit.ly/2gJKyG7 ) ...... 13 Photo 19: Euphorbia trigona (source: https://bit.ly/2Jwj7Oy ) ...... 14 Photo 20: Ficus vallis-choudae (source: https://bit.ly/2CWzvXz ) ...... 14 Photo 21: Heteropgon contortus (source: https://bit.ly/2MGrdsQ ) ...... 15 Photo 22: Hibiscus brackenridgei (source: https://rdbl.co/2AFc4QV ) ...... 15 Photo 23: Hibiscus sabdariffa (source: https://bit.ly/2zjuB3c ) ...... 16 Photo 24: Hypoxis (source: https://bit.ly/2EYxahf ) ...... 16 Photo 25: Ipomoea batatas (source: https://bit.ly/2PBsr9g ) ...... 17 Photo 26: Ipomea purpurea (source: https://bit.ly/2P0qLqu ) ...... 17 Photo 27: Manihot esculenta (source: https://bit.ly/2qlIZEb ) ...... 18

3

Photo 28: Newtonia buchananii (source: https://bit.ly/2Q9r4vy ) ...... 18 Photo 29: Nymphaea nouchali (source: https://bit.ly/2Oi4j71 ) ...... 19 Photo 30: Oxalis latofolia (source: https://bit.ly/2qmwg43 ) ...... 19 Photo 31: Passiflora edulis (source: https://ebay.to/2DjOYBQ ) ...... 20 Photo 32: Pennisetum clandestinum (source: https://bit.ly/2zi0BVB ) ...... 20 Photo 33: Pennisetum purpureum (source: https://bit.ly/2Oi0tLh ) ...... 21 Photo 34: Phaselous vulgaris (source: https://bit.ly/2qoiJsC ) ...... 22 Photo 35: Prunus africana (source: https://bit.ly/2DgHq2W ) ...... 22 Photo 36: Phoenix reclinata (source: https://bit.ly/2PuAqoL )...... 23 Photo 37: Pterdium aquilinum (source: https://bit.ly/2CV9UOz ) ...... 23 Photo 38: Rosmarinus officinalis (source: https://bit.ly/2qpJblz ) ...... 24 Photo 39: Saccharum officinarum (source: https://bit.ly/2SAfk6S ) ...... 24 Photo 40: Sesbania grandiflora (source: https://bit.ly/2yMcS58 ) ...... 25 Photo 41: Solanum nigrum (source: https://amzn.to/2zjnIPr ) ...... 25 Photo 42: Sorgum bicolor (source: https://bit.ly/2OYM7Ey ) ...... 26 Photo 43: Tagetes lucida (source: https://bit.ly/2AGIwCB ) ...... 26 Photo 44: Tridax procumbens (source: https://bit.ly/2P2orPK ) ...... 27 Photo 45: Tradescanita zebrina (source: https://bit.ly/2zi5aPJ ) ...... 27 Photo 46: Zingiber officinale (source: https://bit.ly/2DdAxiR )...... 28

4

Acacia mearnsii (Black Wattle)

Photo 1: Acacia Mearnsii (source: https://bit.ly/2Jw0tX4 )

Acacia mearnsii is a fast-growing, extremely invasive leguminous tree. It has been introduced to numerous parts of the world, and in those areas is often used as a commercial source of tannin or a source of firewood for local communities. In Africa the species grows in disturbed areas, range/grasslands, riparian zones, urban areas, water courses, and mesic habitats at an altitude of between 600-1700m. It grows in a range of climates including warm temperate dry climates and moist tropical climates.This is now known as one of the worst invasive species in the world.

Albizia grandibracteata

Photo 2: Albizia grandibracteata (source: https://bit.ly/2AGipvk )

Albizia grandibracteata is a deciduous tree with a rounded or flat crown; it can grow 6 - 30 metres tall.It usually grows in rain forest and riverine forest. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is cultivated as an ornamental and shade tree, and also to improve the soil.

5

Aloe Vera

Photo 3: Aloe Vera (source: https://bit.ly/2z90R8s )

Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. Is a stemless or very short- stemmed plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula but grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant.

Amaranthus (Pigweed)

Photo 4: amaranthus (source: https://bit.ly/2qlcLIX )

Amaranthus is a cosmopolitan genus of annual or short-lived perennial . Some amaranth species are cultivated as leaf vegetables, pseudocereals, and ornamental plants. Most of the Amaranthus species are summer annual weeds and are commonly referred to as pigweed. Amaranth contains phytochemicals that may be anti nutrient factors, such as polyphenols, saponins, tannins, and oxalates which are reduced in content and effect by cooking.

6

Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit)

Photo 5: Artocarpus heterophyllus (source: https://bit.ly/2CTQY2F )

Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is one of the most significant trees in tropical homegardens and perhaps the most widespread and useful tree in the important genus Artocarpus. It is a medium size evergreen tree typically reaching 8–25 m (26–82 ft) in height that is easily recognized by its fruit, the largest among cultivated plants. The succulent, aromatic, and flavorful fruit is eaten fresh or preserved in myriad ways. The tree can provide many environmental services. It is highly wind tolerant and therefore makes a good component in a windbreak or border planting. Growing in pastures, it can provide fallen fruit for livestock, shade, and long term timber.

Bidens pilosa (Black jack)

Phozo 6: Bidens pilosa (source: https://bit.ly/2zjEvlw )

Bidens pilosa is a species of in the aster family. It is a tall branched weed with thin yellow flowers that develop into a cluster of barbed seeds. The seeds are like short, stiff hairs. This bur is widespread throughout the warmer regions of the world. Bidens pilosa is an annual forb of gracile habit, growing up to 1.8 meters tall. It grows aggressively on disturbed land and often becomes weedy. The leaves are oppositely arranged and pinnate in form with three to five dentate, ovate-to-lanceolate leaflets. The petioles are slightly winged.

7

Bryophyllum

Photo 7: Bryophyllum (source: https://bit.ly/2Oif2OA )

Bryophyllum is a plant genus of the Crassulaceae family that has sometimes been included within the genus Kalanchoe. The group is notable for vegetatively growing small plantlets on the fringes of the leaves; these eventually drop off and root. These plantlets arise from mitosis of meristematic-type tissue in notches in the leaves. Nowadays, bryophyllum are naturalised in many parts of the tropics, and deliberately cultivated for their attractiveness or for their interesting reproduction.

Calliandra

Photo 8: Calliandra (source: https://bit.ly/2ziOUxD )

Calliandra is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, , in the mimosoid clade of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. The genus comprises herbaceous perennial plants, shrubs and rarely small trees growing 0.5–6 m tall, with bipinnate leaves. The flowers are produced in cylindrical or globose inflorescences and have numerous long slender stamens which give rise to the common names powder-puff, powder puff plant, and fairy duster.

8

These plants flower all year round, but the best blooming is in spring and summer. They can be easily pruned.

Calotropis procera (Sodom apple)

Photo 9: Calotropis procera (source: https://bit.ly/2Rthx2K )

Calotropis procera is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. The green globes are hollow but the flesh contains a toxic milky sap that is extremely bitter and turns into a gluey coating resistant to soap. Calotropis procera is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m by 4 m at a medium rate. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is not self-fertile.

Cassia fistula (Golden shower tree)

Photo 10: Cassia fistula (source: https://bit.ly/2ziPn2Y )

Cassia fistula, known as the golden rain tree is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in herbal medicine. The golden shower tree is a medium-sized tree, growing to 10–20 m tall with fast growth. The leaves are deciduous, 15– 60 cm long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets. The flowers are produced in

9

pendulous racemes , each flower 4–7 cm diameter with five yellow of equal size and shape. It is grown in tropical and subtropical areas.

Coffea (Coffee)

Photo 11: Coffea (source: https://bit.ly/2EYWcgb )

Coffea is a genus of flowering plants whose seeds, called coffee beans, are used to make various coffee beverages and products. It is a member of the family Rubiaceae. They are shrubs or small trees native to tropical and southern Africa and tropical Asia. There are over 120 species of Coffea, which is grown from seed. The two most popular are Coffea arabica (commonly known simply as "Arabica") accounts for 60–80 percent of the world's coffee production, while Coffea canephora (known as "Robusta") accounts for about 20-40 percent. When grown in the tropics, coffee is a vigorous bush or small tree that usually grows to a height of 3–3.5 m. Most commonly cultivated coffee species grow best at high elevations, but do not tolerate freezing temperatures.

Cynodon dactylon (Couch grass)

Photo 12: Cynodon dactylon (souce: https://bit.ly/2F88tPJ )

Cynodon dactylon is a grass that originated in Africa. The blades are a grey-green colour and are short, usually 2–15 cm long with rough edges. The erect stems can grow 1–30 cm tall. The stems are slightly flattened, often tinged purple in colour.The seed heads are produced in a cluster of two to six spikes together at the top of the stem. It is widely cultivated in warm

10

climates all over the world. It is fast-growing and tough, making it popular and useful for sports fields, as when damaged it will recover quickly.

Datura stramonium (Thornapple)

Photo 13: Datura stramonium (source: https://bit.ly/2OgLam1 )

Datura stramonium is a plant in the nightshade family. Datura has been used in traditional medicine to relieve asthma symptoms and as an analgesic during surgery or bone setting. It is also a powerful hallucinogen and deliriant, which is used entheogenically for the intense visions it produces. However, the tropane alkaloids responsible for both the medicinal and hallucinogenic properties are fatally toxic in only slightly higher amounts than the medicinal dosage, and careless use often results in hospitalizations and deaths. It is a foul-smelling, erect, annual, freely branching herb that forms a bush up to 60 to 150 cm tall. Generally it flowers throughout the summer.

Desmodium

Photo 14: Desmodium (source: https://bit.ly/2Pvf8Y9 )

Desmodium is a genus in the flowering plant family Fabaceae. These are mostly inconspicuous legumes; few have bright or large flowers. Though some can become sizeable plants, most are herbs or small shrubs. Their fruit are loments, meaning each seed is dispersed individually enclosed in its segment. This makes them tenacious plants and some

11

species are considered weeds in places. High amounts of antixenotic allomones produced by Desmodium repels insect pests

Dracaena steudneri (Steudner dragon-tree)

Photo 15: Dracaena steudneri (source: https://bit.ly/2Dg0AG6 )

Dracaena steudneri is an evergreen tree, usually 15 m but up to 18 m. The trunk often branches from the base with large branches rising steeply. The flowers are pale white- yellow-green. The leaves are dark, shiny and green. They are crowding the tips of branches like palms. The leaves are over 1 m long and 12 cm wide. A tree distributed from eastern to southern Africa in moist or drier forest.

Epimedium (Horny Goat Weed)

Photo 16: Epimedium (source: https://bit.ly/2Oiz3ow )

Horny goat weed is an herb. The leaves are used to make medicine. As many as 15 horny goat weed species are known as "yin yang huo" in Chinese medicine. Horny goat weed is commonly used by mouth for sexual performance problems, such as erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire. It is also used for weak back and knees, joint pain, arthritis, mental and physical fatigue, and memory loss along with many other conditions. Leaflets usually have

12

spiny margins. The leaves may be annual, making the plant deciduous, or longer lasting, so that the plant is evergreen.

Erythrina abyssinica (Red hot poker tree)

Photo 17: Erythrina abyssinica (source: https://bit.ly/2PvfPRf )

Erythrina abyssinica is medium-sized tree, usually 5-15 m in height, deciduous, thickset, with a well-branched, rounded, spreading crown. It has trifoliolate leaves. Flowers are orange-red and up to 5 cm long. It is the most widespread species in Africa, found in savannahs throughout eastern and southern Africa. As with many trees in areas with frequent fires, the young trees establish a deep root system before stem growth.

Eucalyptus

Photo 18: Eucalyptus (source: https://bit.ly/2gJKyG7 )

Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. Species of eucalyptus are cultivated widely in the tropical and temperate world. It is a fast- growing sources of wood, producing oil that can be used for cleaning and as a natural insecticide, or an ability to be used to drain swamps and thereby reduce the risk of malaria.

13

On warm days, eucalyptus forests are sometimes shrouded in a smog-like mist of vaporised volatile organic compounds. It can be between 10 and 60 m tall.

Euphorbia trigona (African milk tree)

Photo 19: Euphorbia trigona (source: https://bit.ly/2Jwj7Oy )

Euphorbia trigona is a perennial plant that originally comes from Central Africa. It has an upright stem and number of branches that also grow upward. The stem and branches can have two or three sides. The stem itself is dark green with V-shaped light green patterns. The about 5mm long thorns are placed in pairs of two on the stem's ridges. The drop shaped leaves grow from between the two thorns on each ridge. The plant has never been known to flower and is possibly a hybrid. The trigona can withstand brief cold temperatures of up to -3 °C. It prefers sandy soil but can withstand most types of well-drained soil. It grows from 1.5 – 3 meters. The plant is only known in human cultivation and is commonly used as a house plant.

Ficus vallis-choudae (Haroni fig)

Photo 20: Ficus vallis-choudae (source: https://bit.ly/2CWzvXz )

Ficus vallis-choudae is a shrub that can be as small as 3 - 5 metres, but is more commonly a tree that can grow up to 18 metres tall. It has a short bole that is sometimes buttressed, and a widely spreading crown of conspicuously large toothed ovate leaves. The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for its edible fruit and timber. The wood is used for cheap furniture, domestic utensils, beer pots, grain mortars, stools… Fig trees have a unique form

14

of fertilization, each species relying on a single, highly specialized species of wasp that is itself totally dependant upon that fig species in order to breed. The trees produce three types of flower; male, a long-styled female and a short-styled female flower, often called the gall flower. All three types of flower are contained within the structure we usually think of as the fruit.

Heteropogon contortus (Spear grass)

Photo 21: Heteropgon contortus (source: https://bit.ly/2MGrdsQ )

Spear grass is a tropical perennial grass. It grows to a height of 50 to 150 cm, is tufted and highly variable. Its stems are geniculated at the base, erect at their upper levels, often branched, particularly at flowering. The leaves are green or bluish green, usually glabrous or with few long hairs at the base. Spear grass is mainly used as fodder when it is young. It can be grazed or cut for hay or silage. Once flowering occurs, its overall nutritive value declines and the sharp-pointed seeds and tangled awns may injure animals and humans. Spear grass is used for thatching, matting or making cellulose for paper, and provides environmental services as a cover crop and biodiversity nest.

Hibiscus brackenridgei (Yellow Hibiscus)

Photo 22: Hibiscus brackenridgei (source: https://rdbl.co/2AFc4QV )

15

Yellow hibiscus is native to Hawaii. Although yellow hibiscus is categorized as a shrub, it can grow up to 30 feet tall. Its large yellow flowers typically open between 2 pm and 4 pm and close again between 9 am and 1 pm Flowers turn green as they die.

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Pink Hibiscus)

Photo 23: Hibiscus sabdariffa (source: https://bit.ly/2zjuB3c )

Hibiscus sabdariffais an annual, erect, bushy, herbaceous subshrub that can grow up to 2.4 m tall, with smooth or nearly smooth, cylindrical, typically red stems. Flowers, borne singly in the leaf axils, are up to 12.5 cm wide, yellow or buff with a rose or maroon eye, and turn pink as they wither at the end of the day. It has been used traditionally as a food, in herbal drinks, in hot and cold beverages, as a flavouring agent in the food industry and as a herbal medicine. Extracts of pink hibiscus showed antibacterial, anti-oxidant, nephro- and hepato- protective, renal/diuretic effect, effects on lipid metabolism (anti-cholesterol), anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive effects among others.

Hypoxis (Star grass)

Photo 24: Hypoxis (source: https://bit.ly/2EYxahf )

Star grass is a perennial with creeping stems (stolons) which root well. It is grown in areas of 500-1,200 mm rainfall on a wide range of soil types (from sands to black clays), provided

16

they have reasonable fertility and competes well with other grasses and weeds due to its aggressive growth and rapid propagation.

Ipomoea batatas (Sweet potato)

Photo 25: Ipomoea batatas (source: https://bit.ly/2PBsr9g )

Sweet potato, belonging to the family Convolvulaceae, is grown in more than 100 countries in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates (Woolfe, 1992).Itranksastheworld's seventh most important crop,with an estimated annual production of approximately 110 million metric tons.It is a major staple food in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America, where it is an important source of carbohydrates, vitamins A and C, fiber, iron, potassium and protein.

Ipomoea purpurea (Blue and purple morning glory)

Photo 26: Ipomea purpurea (source: https://bit.ly/2P0qLqu )

17

Purple morning glory is an annual, fast growing vine widely introduced throughout the tropics where it has become naturalized and invasive. This species has a weedy behaviour that facilitates it to colonize new areas. In cultivated areas, the occurrence of I. purpurea results in reduced yield, along with causing difficulties during harvesting of crops. In ruderal areas, disturbed sites, and natural forests, it behaves as an environmental weed which has the potential to outcompete native species for nutrients, water and sunlight. It climbs using other plants for support, and grows forming a dense canopy that shades out native vegetation.

Manihot esculenta (Cassava)

Photo 27: Manihot esculenta (source: https://bit.ly/2qlIZEb )

Cassava is a shrub growing around 3 metres tall. It is one of the most important of the cultivated tropical food crops and there is evidence that it was being cultivated for its leaves and corms in Peru 4,000 years ago. Its cultivation gradually spread and now it is widely grown in tropical areas throughout the world, especially in lowland tropical regions. Young leaves can cooked as a vegetable; boiled like spinach, or added to stews.The tuberous root can be sliced and fried like chips, boiled and added to vegetable dishes, or made into a flour and used in breads and biscuits, or as a thickener in gravies, soups, desserts etc. The root is higher in carbohydrate and rather deficient in protein than many other root crops.

Newtonia buchananii

Photo 28: Newtonia buchananii (source: https://bit.ly/2Q9r4vy )

18

Newtonia buchananii is a deciduous tree with a flat-topped crown and wide-spreading branches; it can grow from 10 - 40 metres tall. The usually straight and cylindrical bole can be unbranched for up to 18 metres, though usually less, it is usually up to 100 cm in diameter, but exceptionally to 185cm. The tree is valued for its wood and so is commonly harvested from the wild, mainly for local use. The tree is also a local source of medicines and is often encouraged, both as a shade tree in plantations and as a soil stabilizer on river banks.

Nymphaea nouchali (Day Water lily)

Photo 29: Nymphaea nouchali (source: https://bit.ly/2Oi4j71 )

The Day Water Lily is an aquatic plant with round, floating leaves split by a V-notch. These plants have underground stems which are firmly anchored to the mud under water by means of rather thick, spreading roots. The (underground stem) is 4 - 5 cm in diameter, black in colour and rather spongy. The leaves float on long, spongy stalks and are round with a deep notch or cut from the centre to the outer edge. The large flowers are carried on long stalks just above the surface of the water and may be white, yellow, blue or pink in colour and open only in sunshine, close at night and re-open the following morning. They have many pointed petals and are also scented.

Oxalis latifolia

Photo 30: Oxalis latofolia (source: https://bit.ly/2qmwg43 )

19

This is a perennial herb growing from a system of small bulbs and spreading via stolons. There is no stem. The leaves arise on long petioles from ground level, each made up of three widely heart-shaped leaflets about 4.5 centimeters wide. The inflorescence is an array of several flowers, each with five pink petals. It is known on most other continents as an introduced species and a noxious weed and invasive species, as it infests many types of agricultural crops. It is native to Mexico and parts of Central and South America.

Passiflora edulis (Purple passion fruit)

Photo 31: Passiflora edulis (source: https://ebay.to/2DjOYBQ )

It is cultivated commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seedy fruit. The passion fruit is a pepo, a type of berry, round to oval, either yellow or dark purple at maturity, with a soft to firm, juicy interior filled with numerous seeds. The fruit is both eaten and juiced; passion fruit juice is often added to other fruit juices to enhance aroma.

Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass)

Photo 32: Pennisetum clandestinum (source: https://bit.ly/2zi0BVB )

20

The tropical grass species Pennisetum clandestinum is known by several common names, most often kikuyu grass, as it is native to the region of East Africa that is home to the Gĩkũyũ tribe. Because of its rapid growth and aggressive nature, it is categorised as a noxious weed in some regions. Pennisetum clandestinum is a rhizomatous grass with matted roots and a grass-like or herbaceous habit. The leaves are green, flattened or upwardly folded along the midrib, 10–150 millimetres long, and 1–5 mm wide. The apex of the leaf blade is obtuse.

Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass)

Photo 33: Pennisetum purpureum (source: https://bit.ly/2Oi0tLh )

Pennisetum purpureum, also known as Napier grass, elephant grass or Uganda grass, is a species of perennial tropical grass native to the African grasslands. It has low water and nutrient requirements, and therefore can make use of otherwise uncultivated lands. Historically, this wild species has been used primarily for grazing; recently, however, it has been incorporated into a pest management strategy. This technique involves the desired crop being planted alongside a 'push' plant, which repels pests, in combination with a 'pull' crop around the perimeter of the plot, which draw insects out of the plot. Napier grass has shown potential at attracting stem borer moths (a main cause of yield loss in Africa) away from maize and hence is the "pull" crop. This strategy is much more sustainable, serves more purposes and is more affordable for farmers than insecticide use. In addition to this, Napier grasses improve soil fertility, and protect arid land from soil erosion. It is also utilized for firebreaks, windbreaks, in paper pulp production and most recently to produce bio-oil, biogas and charcoal.

Phaseolus vulgaris (French bean)

21

Photo 34: Phaselous vulgaris (source: https://bit.ly/2qoiJsC )

Phaseolus vulgaris, also known as the common bean, green bean and French bean, among other names, is a herbaceous annual plant grown worldwide for its edible dry seeds or unripe fruit (both commonly called beans). The common bean is a highly variable species with a long history. Bush varieties form erect bushes 20–60 cm (8–20 in) tall, while pole or running varieties form vines 2–3 m (7–10 ft) long. All varieties bear alternate, green or purple leaves, which are divided into three oval, smooth-edged leaflets, each 6–15 cm (2–6 in) long and 3– 11 cm (1–4 in) wide.

Prunus africana (Red stinkwood)

Photo 35: Prunus africana (source: https://bit.ly/2DgHq2W )

Prunus africana, the African cherry, has a wide distribution in Africa, occurring in montane regions of central and southern Africa and on the islands of Bioko, São-Tomé, Grande Comore, and Madagascar. It can be found at 900–3,400 m (3,000–10,000 ft) above sea level. It is a canopy tree 30–40 m in height, and is the tallest member of Prunus. Large- diameter trees have impressive, spreading crowns. It requires a moist climate, 900–3,400 mm (35–130 in) annual rainfall, and is moderately frost-tolerant.

Phoenix reclinata (Wild date palm)

22

Photo 36: Phoenix reclinata (source: https://bit.ly/2PuAqoL )

Phoenix reclinata is a widely distributed species growing in a range of habitats, often seasonally waterlogged or inundated, such as along watercourses, in high rainfall areas, in riverine forest, and even in rainforest areas (although always restricted to areas of sparse canopy). The species can also be found in drier conditions on rocky hillsides, cliffs and grasslands to 3000 m. The fruits of P. reclinata are animal-dispersed: their bright orange colour and sweet. This tree is native to the semi-arid plains of Senegal, a country in the northeastern part of sub-Saharan Africa. It is now frequently encountered in warm region landscapes everywhere.

Pteridium aquilinum (Eagle fern)

Photo 37: Pterdium aquilinum (source: https://bit.ly/2CV9UOz )

Pteridium aquilinum (bracken, brake or common bracken), also known as eagle fern, and Eastern bracken fern, is a species of fern occurring in temperate and subtropical regions in both hemispheres. The extreme lightness of its spores has led to its global distribution.

Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary)

23

Photo 38: Rosmarinus officinalis (source: https://bit.ly/2qpJblz )

Rosmarinus officinalis, commonly known as rosemary, is a woody, perennial herb with fragrant, evergreen, needle-like leaves and white, pink, purple, or blue flowers, native to the Mediterranean region.

Saccharum officinarum (Sugar cane)

Photo 39: Saccharum officinarum (source: https://bit.ly/2SAfk6S )

Saccharum officinarum, sugarcane, is a large, strong-growing species of grass in the genus Saccharum. It originated in New Guinea. Saccharum officinarum, a perennial plant, grows in clumps consisting of a number of strong unbranched stems. Portions of the stem of this and several other species of sugarcane have been used from ancient times for chewing to extract the sweet juice. Saccharum officinarum and its hybrids are grown for the production of sugar, ethanol, and other industrial uses in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The stems and the byproducts of the sugar industry are used for feeding to livestock. Pigs fed on

24

sugarcane juice and a soy-based protein supplement produced stronger piglets that grew faster than those on a more conventional diet.

Sesbania grandiflora (Hummingbird tree)

Photo 40: Sesbania grandiflora (source: https://bit.ly/2yMcS58 )

It is a fast-growing tree. The leaves are regular and rounded and the flowers white or red. The fruits look like flat, long, thin green beans. The tree thrives under full exposure to sunshine and is extremely frost sensitive. Vegetable hummingbird is a short-lived, soft- wooded, loosely-branching tree with a rather open crown; it can grow 8 - 15 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 25 - 30cm in diameter.A true multi-purpose tree, providing a range of foods, medicines, timber, gum and tannins, mainly for local use. The plant is cultivated in many tropical areas as an ornamental, a green manure crop, in soil reclamation schemes and for its many useful properties.

Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade)

Photo 41: Solanum nigrum (source: https://amzn.to/2zjnIPr )

It is also known as black nightshade. Parts of this plant can be toxic to livestock and humans. Nonetheless, ripe berries and cooked leaves of edible strains are used as food in some

25

locales, and plant parts are used as a traditional medicine. A tendency exists in literature to incorrectly refer to many of the other "black nightshade" species as "Solanum nigrum".

Sorghum bicolor

Photo 42: Sorgum bicolor (source: https://bit.ly/2OYM7Ey )

It is a grass species cultivated for its grain, which is used for food for humans, animal feed, and ethanol production. Sorghum originated in Africa, and is now cultivated widely in tropical and subtropical regions. Sorghum is the world's fifth-most important cereal crop after rice, wheat, maize, and barley. S. bicolor is typically an annual, but some cultivars are perennial. It grows in clumps that may reach over 4 m high. The grain is small, ranging from 2 to 4 mm in diameter. Sweet sorghums are sorghum cultivars that are primarily grown for foliage, syrup production, and ethanol; they are taller than those grown for grain.

Tagetes lucida (Mexican marigold)

Photo 43: Tagetes lucida (source: https://bit.ly/2AGIwCB )

Tagetes lucida Cav. is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America. It is used as a medicinal plant and as a culinary herb. Tagetes lucida grows 18-30 inches (46–76 cm) tall. Depending on land race, the plant may be fairly upright, while other forms appear bushy with many unbranching stems. The leaves are linear to oblong, about 3 inches (7.6 cm) long, and shiny medium green, not blue-green as in French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus var. sativa).

26

Tridax procumbens (Coat buttons)

Photo 44: Tridax procumbens (source: https://bit.ly/2P2orPK )

Tridax procumbens, commonly known as coatbuttons or tridax daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the daisy family. It is best known as a widespread weed and pest plant. It is native to the tropical Americas, but it has been introduced to tropical, subtropical, and mild temperate regions worldwide.

Tradescantia zebrina (Wandering Jew)

Photo 45: Tradescanita zebrina (source: https://bit.ly/2zi5aPJ )

Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is a species of spiderwort more commonly known as an inchplant or wandering jew. Tradescantia zebrina has attractive zebra-patterned leaves, the upper surface showing purple new growth and green older growth parallel to the central axis, as well as two broad silver-colored stripes on the outer edges, with the lower leaf surface presenting a deep uniform magenta. The plant grows in

27

thickets in the wetland and rainforest , often on stones in shady and open areas or on river banks at altitudes of 2000 meters or below, but mainly at lower altitudes. The plant is not frost-resistant and is therefore kept in the winter months as a houseplant. Usually a hanging plant.

Zingiber officinale (Ginger)

Photo 46: Zingiber officinale (source: https://bit.ly/2DdAxiR )

It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudostems (false stems made of the rolled bases of leaves) about a meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. The inflorescences bear pale yellow with purple flowers and arise directly from the rhizome on separate shoots. Ginger originated in the tropical rainforests from the to Southern Asia where ginger plants show considerable genetic variation. As one of the first spices exported from the Orient, ginger arrived in Europe during the spice trade, and was used by ancient Greeks and Romans. The distantly related dicots in the genus Asarum are commonly called wild ginger because of their similar taste.

28