Welcome

Welcome to my blog

This is where I post various musings about wildlife and ecology, observations of interesting species (often invertebrates)
and bits of research that grab my attention. As well as blogging, I undertake professional ecological & wildlife surveys
covering invertebrates, plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and some mammals, plus habitat assessment and management
advice
. I don't work on planning applications/for developers. The pages on the right will tell you more about my work,
main interests and key projects, and you can follow my academic work here.

Plants of the Maasai


If you look on my 'pubications' page, you'll see quite a few relating to Lake Naivasha in Kenya; that was my field site for my Ph.D. and while out there, I started taking an inteerst in all things Maasai, including a litttle ethnobotany...

The Maasai differentiate many plants, especially those which are edible, medicinal or useful in construction. Although most Maa names relate well to particular species, and especially to the level of genus, some cover more than one, whilst as in any language some species have more than one name. There is also variation by area and dialect. Some of the scientific names given may have been superseded, and there are likely to be a few errors from the source material, but this is as accurate a list as I have been able to compile so far - and there will hopefully be updates which expand upon the material, and correct errors which are identified. Maa names may vary a little in spelling (especially as many were derived phonetically from oral sources originally), and the language is tonal, but the most common spellings are given. The notes give brief details of English names, broad plant type, and usage, where known. The families are abbreviated as per the list below (for column space).


Abbreviations of families

A = Asteraceae
Aa = Arecaceae
Ac = Acanthaceae
Ad = Asphodelaceae
Ae = Apiaceae
Ah = Achariaceae
Al = Araliaceae
Am = Amaryllidaceae
An = Anacardiaceae
Ap = Asparagaceae
Ar = Amaranthaceae
As = Asclepiadaceae
At = Anthericaceae
Ay = Apocynaceae
B = Boraginaceae
Bi = Bignoniaceae
Bu = Burseraceae
Ca = Capparaceae
Cb = Combretaceae
Cc = Colchicaceae
Cl = Celestraceae
Co = Commelinaceae
Cn = Canellaceae
Cr = Crassulaceae
Cs = Clusiaceae
Cu = Cupressaceae
Cv = Convolvulaceae
E = Euphorbiaceae
Eb = Ebenaceae
Er = Ericaceae
F = Fabaceae
G = Geraniaceae
H = Hypoxidaceae
Ha = Hamamelidaceae
Hy = Hyacinthaceae
I = Iridaceae
L = Liliaceae
La = Lamiaceae
M = Myrtaceae
Me = Meliaceae
Mo = Moraceae
Mr = Myricaceae
Mv = Malvaceae
My = Myrsinaceae
O = Oxalidaceae
Oc = Ochnaceae
Ol = Oleaceae
On = Oliniaceae
P = Polygonaceae
Pd = Podocarpaceae
Pe = Pedalianaceae
Ph = Phyllanthaceae
Po = Poaceae
Pp = Papilionoidae
Pr = Proteaceae
R = Ranunculaceae
Rc = Ruscaceae
Rh = Rhamnaceae
Ro = Rosaceae
Rt = Rutaceae
Ru = Rubiaceae
S = Solanaceae
Sa = Sapindaceae
Sc = Scrophulariaceae
Sl = Salicaceae
Sn = Santalaceae
St = Stilbaceae
Sv = Salvadoraceae
T = Tiliaceae
U = Ulmaceae
Ur = Urticaceae
V = Vitaceae
Ve = Verbenaceae
Z = Zygophyllaceae
Za = Zamiaceae

References
  • Beentje, H.J. (1994). Kenya Trees, Shrubs and Lianas. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi.
  • Blundell, M. (1987). Wild Flowers of East Africa. HarperCollins, London.
  • Louppe, D., Oteng-Amoako, A.A. & Brink, M. (eds.) (2008). Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 7(1). Timbers 1. PROTA Foundation, Wageningen; Backhuys, Leiden; CTA, Wageningen.
  • Mol, F. (1996). Maasai Language & Culture Dictionary. Maasai Centre, Limek.
  • Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R. & Simons, A. (2009). Agroforestree Database: a Tree Reference and Selection Guide. Version 4.0 (http://www.worldagroforestry.org/af/treedb/) [accessed 19/11/2010].

Species
Family
Maa name
Notes
Abutilon longicuspe
Mv
o-supukiai o-ibor
shrub
Acacia abyssinica
F
o-lentarara OR ol-tarara
the-one-of-the-acacia-tree'
Acacia albida
F
ol-asiti OR o-lerai
apple-ring acacia
Acacia arabica
F
ol-kiloriti
tree with medicinal/digestive bark
Acacia brevispica
F
ol-girgiri
wait-a-bit tree
Acacia drepanolobium
F
ol-kine lo luai OR e-luai OR e-merumori OR e-ronkan
whistling thorn; black-galled acacia; ant-galled acacia
Acacia gerrardii
F
ol-ngongnenyi
tree
Acacia lahai
F
ol-tepesi
red-thorn tree
Acacia mellifera
F
e-melelek OR o-iti
black thorn acacia
Acacia merkeri
F
ol-depe
tree
Acacia nilotica – as A. arabica
F


Acacia nubica – as A. merkeri
F


Acacia pennata – as A. brevispica
F


Acacia reficiens
F
ol-curai o-ibor
white acacia
Acacia robusta
F
ol-curai
umbrella tree, fuel wood
Acacia senegal
F
ol-derkesi
Sudan gum arabic
Acacia seyal
F
ol-garroji OR ol-tepesi OR o-leregat OR o-lerai
red-thorn tree
Acacia tortilis
F
ol-gorete
umbrella thorn acacia; Israeli babool
Acacia xanthophloea
F
o-lerai
fuel wood, medicinal
Acanthus eminens
Ac
ol-digeldi

Achyranthes aspera
Ar
o-lekidongo
medicinal herb; 'it-of-the-tails'; prickly chaff flower; devil's horsewhip
Achyrospermum schimperi
La
en-tapa oo nk-ayiok
medicinal herb
Acokanthera schimperi
Ay
ol-morijoi
poison arrow tree; 'the-red-one', the same term for a senior warrior
Adansonia digitata
Mv
o-lemisira OR ol-mesera OR ol-mesasu
baobab
Agathisanthemum bojeri
Ru
wualasekirai
shrub, white flowers
Agauria salicifolia
Er
ol-ogumati
shrub/tree
Albizia anthelmintica
F
e-mokotan
tree/bush; antihelminthis properties
Albizia gummifera
F
o-soroge
tree; medicinal bark
Albizia harveyi
F
ol-murmur
tree/bush, white flowers; edible pods, leaf browse
Anthericum cameronii
At
ol-keriantus
lily
Anthericum subpetiolatum – as A. cameronii



Asparagus africanus
Ap
em-pere e papa OR ol-omeei OR e-ngebol
‘spear of my father’; medicinal
Balanites aegyptica
Z
e-ngosua
desert-date
Balanites glabra
Z
o-saragi
tree
Barleria sp. – as Hypoestes aristata



Bauhinia purpurea
F
o-sagorarami
camel-foot tree; orchid tree; butterfly tree
Blumea sp.
A
en-kipire e kima
‘stirrer of fire’; medicinal
Bridelia micrantha
Ph
ol-airowuai
tree; timber, medicinal
Buddleja polystachya
Sc
ol-piron o-ibor
shrub/tree
Bulbine abyssinica
Ad
o-riroi
medicinal herb
Cajanus cajan
F
en-giun
pigeon-pea
Calodendrum capense
Rt
ol-arashi
cape chestnut; cosmetic oil
Capparis cartilaginea
Ca
ol-aturdeei
shrub
Capparis tomentosa
Ca
ol-aturrudiai
woolly caper bush
Caralluma dummeri
Ay
e-mukutioi
succulent, purple flowers; medicinal
Carissa spinarum
Ay
ol-aimuriaki
conkerberry; bush plum
Catha edulis
Cl
ol-miraa
miraa, khat, somali tea; stimulant
Chaetacme aristata
U
ol-morogi le uaso
river kei-apple
Chloris gayana
Po
leporori isiet
Rhodes-grass
Chloris roxburghiana
Po
ol-peresi
horsetail grass
Chlorophytum macrophyllum
At
en-kipai
white flowers
Cissus rotundifolia
V
ol-airai
Venezeulan treebine; Arabian was cissus
Clausena anisata
Rt
e-matasia
Matasia bush; medicinal
Clausena inaequalis – as C. anisata



Clematis brachiata – as Clematis hirsuta



Clematis hirsuta
R
ol-kirrusha
medicinal
Clerodendrum ugandense
Ve
ol-makotokot
butterfly bush; blue butterfly flower
Clitoria ternatea
F
ol-gisoyiaki
butterfly pea; medicinal
Clutia kilimandscharica
E
ol-kirpanyani
bush/shrub; medicinal
Combretum molle
Cb
em-bughoi OR ol-bukoi OR ol-maroroi
Combretum tree; medicinal
Commelina benghalensis – as Cyanotis arachnoidea



Commiphora africana
Bu
o-silalei
commiphore; gum (possibly bdellium) tree
Commiphora sp.
Bu
ol-bili
tree/shrub
Conyzanewii eliotii – as Microglossa eliotii



Cordia ovalis
B
o-seki OR ol-molosi
sandpaper tree
Cordia quercifolia
B
ol-dorko
tree; medicinal
Crateva adansonii
Ca
o-lokordodai
garlic pear; three-leaf caper; obtuse-leaved crateva
Crinum crinum papillosum – as Crinum macowanii



Crinum macowanii
Am
ol-awashi
amaryllis
Crossandra nilotica
Ac
en-kisarngatuny
red flowers
Crotalaria lachnocarpoides
F
e-noo-n-tualau
‘the one of the little bells’; Fire-bush
Crotalaria polysperma
F
e-suputiyiai na-rok
Black duck-pea
Croton dichogamus
E
en-kitarru OR ol-okir-dingai
orange-leaved croton
Croton megalocarpus
E
ol-oiborbenek OR ol-ngergoit
‘that of the white leaves’
Cyanotis arachnoidea
Co
enk-aiteteyiai
spiderwort; dayflower; wandering jew; zebgrass
Cyathula uncinulata
Ar
ol-airepirepi
scrambling; medicinal
Cycnium tubulosum
Sc
ol-oiropij loosirkon
small white flowers
Cynodon dactylon
Po
ol-murua
Bermuda-grass, kweek
Cyphostemma orondo
V
ol-orondoi
cicus, climber
Datura stramonium
S
en-abooi OR ol-paleki
jimson weed; thorn apple
Delonix elata
F
ol-tangoringori
tree
Delphinium macrocentrum
R
ol-oilusi
wild larkspur; medicinal (alkaloids)
Dolichos lablab
F
ol-bomboi
hyacinth bean
Dombeya dawei
Mv
e-noo-supukia OR o-suputiai OR o-suputiyiai
it-of-the-dombeya-dawei-trees' (place name); specific name of unknown status
Dovyalis abyssinica
Sl
ol-morogi
kei-apple; kashun (fruit)
Echinops hispidus
A
ol-omureki o-nyori
herb
Ehretia cymosa
B
en-dalati e kutuk
tree; ‘the heat of the mouth’
Elaeodendron buchananii
Cl
o-soket
tree
Eleusine jaegeri
Po
o-lekimbe
manyata-grass
Embeli kilimandscharia
E
ol-canionyokie
‘red tree’; medicinal. The genus is unknown but may refer to Macaranga kilimandscharica
Encephalartos bubalinus
Za
ol-parluai
cycad; bread palm
Encephalartos hildebrandtii – as E. bubalinus



Encephalartos regulaneus
Za
ol-piruai
cycad; bread palm
Erlangea tomentosa
A
em-beneyioi pus
medicinal
Erythrina abyssinica
F
ol-kirikiti OR ol-oponi OR ol-goroshe
flame tree; lucky bean Tree; red-hot poker tree
Erythrina burtii
F
ol-ngarroji
lucky bean tree
Erythrina tomentosa – as E. abyssinica



Euclea divinorum
Eb
ol-cani orok OR o-loonaraan OR o-sojo
‘black tree’; used in milk treatment
Euclea keniensis – as E. divinorum



Euclea schimperi
Eb
ol-kinyei
Maba-tree
Euphorbia candelabrum
E
ol-popongi
Candelabra tree
Euphorbia gossypina
E
ol-oilei-orok
black euphorbia
Euphorbia polyacantha
E
ol-okuroi

Euphorbia robecchii
E
ol-caketai
candelabra-like
Euphorbia schimperi
E
ol-coki

Euphorbia splendens
E
o-lokirosio
crown-of-thorns
Euphorbia tirucalli
E
ol-oile oibor
finger/rubber hedge euphorbia; firestick plant; 'sticks on fire'; milk bush. medicinal
Euryops sp. – as Felicia muricata



Faurea saligna
Pr
ol-gerian OR ol-orte
timber tree
Felicia muricata
A
e-ngunoni
blue/yellow flowers; medicinal
Ficus capensis
Mo
enk-oponi
fig
Ficus gnaphalocarpa
Mo
o-reteti
fig
Ficus mucosa & F. natalensis – as F. gnaphalocarpa



Ficus sycomorus
Mo
ol-ngaboli OR o-reteti
fig
Flacourtia indica

o-leleroi
tree
Foeniculum vulgare
Ae
ol-aimomoyai
wild fennel; species uncertain given in Mol (1996) as Diplocopium africanum which is invalid
Galium aparinoides
Ru
o-lenkeriantus
medicinal
Garcinia livingstonei
Cs
ol-kipulua
African mangosteen
Gardenia jovis-tonantis
Ru
geninyet OR ol-takurikuriet
medicinal; may be a subsp. Of G. ternifolia
Gerbera piloselloida
A
e-leleshua na-ibor
medicinal
Gladiolus watsonioides
I
e-sakutiek

Gloriosa superba
Cc
ol-oniyiai
flame lily
Gomphocarpus semilunatus
As
en-tiakuleti
dagoreti (purplish flowers)
Grewia bicolor
Mv
o-siteti
plane-tree
Grewia similis
Mv
o-iri
shrub/tree
Grewia villosa
Mv
ol-mangulai
shrub
Grumilea excerta – as Psychotria flexinervata



Grumilea lauracea
Ru
ol-cartuyian
medicinal
Guizotia reptans
A
en-koyiapasei
yellow flowers; medicinal
Guizotia sp.
A
ol-boi
creeper; species schultzil given by Mol (1996) is invalid
Gutenbergia fischeri – as Lantana camara



Haemanthus multiflorus
Am
ol-angunguai OR ol-todoyioki
fireball lily; blood lily
Hebenstretia angolensis
Sc
e-ngotarakwai
white/orange flowers
Hebenstretia dentata – as H. angolensis



Helichrysum setosum
A
e-leleshua e nkop

Hibiscus aponeuris
Mv
angarare

Hibiscus sp.
Mv
en-karane
species flavofolius given by Mol (1996) is invalid
Hyphaene coriacea
Aa
ol-piro
palm
Hypoestes aristata
Ac
ol-osida
ribbon bush, purple haze
Hypoxis obtusa
H
en-karmalashei
yellow flowers; medicinal
Indigofera lupatana
F
en-koroye OR e-min
shrub, used for arrow-shafts
Indigofera swaziensis – as I. lupatana



Ipomoea cairica
Cv
ol-ngerioi
coast morning glory
Jasminum floribundum
Ol
ol-opito
wild jasmine; medicinal
Juniperus procera
Cu
ol-tarakuai
pencil-cedar; African juniper
Justicia betonica – as Hypoestes aristata



Justicia brandegeane – as J. diclipteroides



Justicia diclipteroides
Ac
e-sonkoyo
shrimp-plant; medicinal
Kalanchoe lugardii
Cr
e-masiligi

Kigelia africana
Bi
ol-darpoi
sausage-tree (fruit)
Kigelia pinnata – as K. africana



Kleinia squarrosa
A
e-naingongunndero
‘that which the rats smell’; purple flower
Lantana camara
Ve
ol-makirikiriane
tick-berry; poisonous
Lantana salvifolia
Ve
en-kayakuji OR ol-magirigiriana
woody shrub; medicinal
Lantana trifolia – as L. salvifolia



Leonotis nepetifolia
La
em-bibiai
sunbird flower; lion’s ear. medicinal
Lippia javanica
Ve
o-reitai OR en-kireitai
fever tea; medicinal
Lippia sp.
Ve
o-sinoni
bush; species specialis given by Mol (1996) invalid
Lippia ukambensis – as L. javanica



Maerua johannis
Ca
ol-amaloki
tree
Maerua parvifolia
Ca
ol-oirerioi
shrub
Maesa lanceolata
My
o-reteti OR ol-oduai OR ol-onorua
tree/bush
Maytenus heterophylla
Cl
ol-aimurunyi
thorny tree
Maytenus senegalensis
Cl
ol-o-do-nganayioi
confetti tree; ‘that of the red fruit’
Maytenus undata – as M. heterophylla



Microglossa eliotii
A
ol-abai le partulo
tree
Microglossa pyrifolia
A
ol-abai o-ibor
tree
Monsonia augustiflora
G
em-beneyioi
bush
Myrica kilimandscharia
Mr
ol-kitalasua
tree/shrub
Myrica salicifolia – as M. kilimandscharia



Mystroxylon aethiopica
Cl
o-lodonganayioi
tree
Nuxia congesta
St
ol-piron o-rok
shrub/tree
Obetia radula
Ur
ol-nokoret
Stinging Nettle Tree
Ochna merkeri
Oc
natuaina
shrub/tree; ‘that of the dead branch’
Ocimum kilimandscharicum
La
o-lemurran
bush/tree
Ocimum lamiifolium
La
ol-oisamis
woody shrub
Olea africana
Ol
ol-oirien
brown/wild olive
Olea capensis
Ol
o-loliontoi OR ol-giloni
Elgon olive
Olea hochstetteri & O. welwitschii – as O. capensis



Olinia sp.
On
ol-tiasimpol
tree; species specialis given by Mol (1996) invalid
Olinia usambarensis
On
ol-kirenye
tree/bush
Ornithogalum ecklonii – as O. tenuifolium



Ornithogalum tenuifolium
H
ol-kine
‘he-goat’ plant
Orthosiphon pallidus
La
ol-aitedarai
medicinal
Osyris compressa
Sn
ol-oisesiai
tree/shrub; a sandalwood
Oxalis obliquifolia
O
enk-aisiijoi

Ozoroa insignis
An
o-lokunonoi
tree; medicinal
Pappea capensis
Sa
natua-enkongu OR en-korrirri OR ol-timigomi OR ol-kisikongu
tree; ‘that of the dead eye’
Pavonia gallaensis
Mv
o-supukia e kop
shrub, yellow flowers
Pavonia urens
Mv
o-supukiai o-rok
shrub
Pelargonium sp.
G
ol-keri
cranesbill
Pennisetum mazianum
Po
ol-o-gor oingok
bamboo-grass; ‘that which strangles the bulls’
Pennisetum stramineum
Po
o-sankash
wire grass
Pentanisia ouranogyne
Ru
kelaku olker
small blue flowers
Pentas decora
Ru
ol-cororiet OR o-lepepedo
‘the one of the scabies’
Pentas longiflora – as Tagetes minuta



Phareobus radiatus
F
ol-gumuri
bean (binomial name given by Mol (1996) invalid & family assumed from the description as a bean)
Pistacia terebinthus
An
ol-maloni
Terebinth tree (medicinal, turpentine, food)
Plectranthus lactiflorus
La
o-rinka lo l-kaldes
herb; ‘brown monkey’s club’
Podocarpus gracilior
Pd
ol-piripiri
coniferous tree
Podocarpus latifolius
Pd
en-koile
yellow-wood tree (conifer)
Podocarpus milanjianus
Pd
ol-cani le nkai OR ol-cani le kule OR o-sinandei
‘Tree of God/Rain’ (conifer)
Premna oligotricha
La
ol-tai
shrub; medicinal
Protea gaguedi
Pr
ol-peepe
sugar bush
Protea madiensis
Pr
ol-ortet
sugar bush
Prunus africanus
Ro
ol-kajuk
bird/flowering cherry
Prunus cerasoides & P. puddum – as P. africanus



Psiadia arabica
A
ol-abai
shrub, yellow flowers
Psiadia punctulata
A
ol-abai o-rok
tree
Psychotria fractinervata
Ru
en-jertuyian
shrub/tree; medicinal
Rapanea melanophloeos
My
o-lenkaburra
‘the one of the foam’
Rawsonia lucida
Ah
ol-oado-entonata
‘that which deep are the roots’
Rhamphicarpa heuglini
Sc
ol-orok-gileleng
tree
Rhamnus prinoides
Rh
ol-konyil
buffalo-thorn
Rhoicissus tridentata
V
ol-kilenyai
shrub/bush
Ricinus communis
E
ol-dulet OR ol-duli
castor oil
Rhus natalensis
An
ol-misikioi OR ol-munyushi
shrub/tree; sumac
Rubus pinnatus
Ro
ol-ayakuji
scrambling shrub
Ruellia patula
Ac
e-sonkoyo
herb
Rumex usambarensis
P
en-kairodjo

Salvadora persica
Sv
o-remit
Toothbrush tree; medicinal
Sanseviera cylindrica
Rc
ol-makele OR ol-dupai
medicinal
Satureia prinoides
La
en-koloshoo
herb/shrub
Scadoxus multiflorus – as Haemanthus multiflorus



Schefflera volkensii
Al
ol-tiini
tree
Schinus molle
An
ol-mosanduka
pepper-tree
Schrebera alata
Ol
ol-benek uni OR ol-loombenek uni OR ol-kakawa
‘tree of three leaves’
Scutia myrtina
Rh
e-sanankur OR ol-amai
tree
Senecio hadiensis – as S. petitianus



Senecio moorei
A
ol-mutukuntu
shrub/bush
Senecio petitianus
A
ol-airamiram OR kelaikwaiet
ragwort, groundsel
Senna didymobotrya
F
senetoi
shrub
Sesanum angolende
Pe
en-kaisuishoi

Sesbania sesban
F
ol-oyiangalani
Sesbania tree
Sida cuneifolia
Mv
ol-oinini
shrub
Sida masaica, S. schimperiana & S. tunuicarpa – as S. cuneifolia



Solanesio mannii – as Senecio petitianus



Solanum incanum
S
en-tulelei
Sodom-apple
Solanum sessilistellatum
S
ol-tulelei le n-tim
Forest Sodom-apple
Spilanthes mauritania
A
ol-kum
tree; medicinal
Stathmostelma pedunculata
As
ol-cule
tuberous shrub
Sterculia africana
Mv
ol-karasha
tropical chestnut
Synadenium grantii
E
en-korbobit
tree/bush
Syzygium sp.
M
ol-airragai
mshiwi tree
Tagetes minuta
A
ol-banki

Tamarindus indica
F
ol-masangus OR ol-kuaju
Tamarind tree
Tarchonantus camphoratus
A
o-leleshua OR o-sentu
bush
Tarenna graveoleus
Ru
ol-masei OR ol-tuyesi
tree/shrub
Teclea nobilis
Rt
ol-gelai OR ol-gilai
tree
Teclea specialis – as T. nobilis



Terminalia specialis – as Combretum molle



Tetradenia riparia
La
o-rinka lo l-kaldes
tree; ‘brown monkey’s club’
Themeda triandra
Gr
ol-peresi o-rasha OR ol-kujita o-nyokie
red oat-grass
Tragia brevipes
E
ol-tameyioi
stinging/climbing herb
Trichocladus ellipticus
Ha
ol-paligilagi
shrub/tree
Turraea mombasana
Me
ol-cani le nkashe OR  ol-cani oo n-kiken
‘tree of the heifer’; small toothbrush tree
Vangueria acutiloba
Ru
ol-gumi
tree
Vernonia adoensis
A
o-lekoru
woody herb/shrub
Vernonia lasiopus
A
ol-musakuaa
shrub, purple flowers
Vernonia uniflora – as V. lasiopus



Vigna sinensis – as Cajanus indicus



Warburgia ugandensis
Cn
o-sokoni
greenheart tree
Ziziphus mucronata
Rh
enk-oilale
buffalo-thorn tree