images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Malvaceae, genus Hibiscus. H. sabdariffa (roselle) is cultivated. H. esculentus (okra) is not widely cultivated in this zone. Of native species, H. micranthus can be confused with H. pseudohirtus.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Malvaceae, genera A to G. Malvaceae (sensu lato) now includes former Bombacaceae (Adansonia, Ceiba, Bombax), Tiliaceae (Grewia, Corchorus, Triumfetta), and Sterculiaceae (Cola, Sterculia, Waltheria).
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Malphighiaceae. The family is represented in rocky areas of Central Mali by Acridocarpus monodii, which is endemic to Mali and has become rare (and threatened).
images of plants, in nature and specimens, of family Lythraceae. Lawsonia is the henna bush, planted in towns. Henna is a dark pigment used in body decorations, especially hands and feet.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Loranthaceae (mistletoe). Englerina has yellow flowers. Tapinanthus spp. have red flowers and are difficult to distinguish from each other. Tapinanthus bangwensis is the common species in Central Mali.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Limeaceae. This family has recently been separated from Molluginaceae. Only Limeum pterocarpum is widespread in Central Mali.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Lauraceae. Cassytha is a native plant. Laurus nobilis (a kind of bay leaf) is an imported dried leaf used as a spice especially in Songhay cuisine.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Lami.aceae (synonym Labiatae). Leucas and Leonotis genera overlap and may be merged. Gmelina and Vitex have been transferreed to Lamiaceae from Verbenaceae but are still listed as Verbenaceae in some websites.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Hydrocharitaceae. Included is genus Najas, which is sometimes elevated to family status (Najadaceae). Najas spp. are difficult for a nonspecialist to distinguish from each other and from Lagarosiphon. Ottelia is easily recognized.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of plants of the family Hernandiaceae. Genus Gyrocarpus, the only one present in the zone, is sometimes placed in its own family Gyrocarpaceae.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae, genera T to Z. Vigna unguiculata is cultivated cowpea (the local "beans"). Vigna subterranea (ex Vouandzeia) is cultivated groundnut (resembles peanut but harder).
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Fabaceae (legumes), subfamily Caesalpinioideae, excluding mimosoids (e.g. acacias). The genus Cassia has been divided into Cassia (sensu stricto), Chamaecrista, and Senna.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Fabaceae (legumes), subfamily Caesalpinioideae, mimosoid clade, former Acacia spp. (sensu lato). The acacias were split in 2011 into several genera: African acacias were assigned to Faidherbia, Senegalia, and Vachellia. Acacia (sensu stricto) was delimited to Australia (due to strong-arming from the Australian timber industry), even though the type species was Acacia (now Vachellia) nilotica. Acacia ehrenbergiana was renamed Vachellia flava, in other cases the species epithet did not change when the genus changed. Many botanists continue to use Acacia for the entire complex, others recognize Faidherbia but retain Acacia for Senegalia and Vachellia. By strict botanical rules, Acacia should be limited to "Vachellia".
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbia sudanica may include the very similar Euphorbia paganorum. Manihot is cultivated cassava. Euphorbia balsamifera is planted along roads. The two Jatropha's (of American origin) and Ricinus are planted in villages. See also Phyllanthaceae, which were moved out of Euphorbiaceae.
Documentary videos of pressing oil from seeds of native plants. Credits are at the end of videos. Additional documentaries from Mali may be added later.
images of flora from nature or of specimens, family Cyperaceae. Only a few of the many sedge spp. are of interest to people in central Mali: Cyperus articulatus (aromatic tubers), Cyperus esculentus (commercialized edible tubers, "pois sucrés"), Cyperus maculatus (rootstocks burned as incense), Cyperus rotundus (edible tubers, not very good and not commercialized).
images of flora from nature or of specimens, family Cucurbitaceae . There are some difficulties involving determinations of wild melons with protrusions (horns), Cucumis pustulatus/metuliferus/prophetarum. Cultivated spp. are Lagenaria (gourd, calabash), Citrullus lanatus (watermelon), and Cucurbita (squash/pumpkin).
images of flora from nature or of specimens, family Cleomaceae. This family was previously part of Capparaceae, and is now sometimes included in Brassicaceae.
images of flora from nature or of specimens, family Burseraceae. Commiphora africana produces a gum (bdellium) known as albarkante in Mali and widely burned as incense.
images of flora from nature or of specimens, family Brassicaceae (formerly Cruciferae). Most of the native plants of this family are Saharan, if Cleomaceae is treated as a separate family as in this collection.