images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Onagraceae. The local genus is Ludwigia. L. hyssopifolia and L. erecta are the two species known in Central Mali away from the main rivers (where other spp. are also found).
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Nymphaeaceae (true water lilies, compare Menyanthaceae). Nymphaea lotus is the largest species and has distinctive dentate leaf margins. N. maculata and N. micrantha are smaller; N. maculata has roughly circular leaves, while N. micrantha has more oval-shaped leaves and usually a tuft of hairs on top of the leaf next to the stem axis.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Nyctaginaceae. The genus Boerhavia has been revised since our collecting began and it is best to consider all of these images to be "Boerhavia sp.", though mostly B. coccinea.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Myrtaceae. Syzygium is the local native species and is featured here. Syzygium is rare in Central Mali but was found on the summit of Gandamiya mountain near Douentza. It is common farther south. The family also includes guava, clove, and eucalyptus.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Moringaceae. The local species is Moringa oleracea, planted here and there in villages chiefly for the foliage which is made into a sauce.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of the family Molluginaceae. The common species in Central Mali are Mollugo nudicaulis (from which a spontaneous "soap" can be made) and Glinus lotoides. See also Aizoaceae (Trianthema, Zaleya), Gisekiaceae (Gisekia), and Limeaceae (Limeus). These families have been combined in various ways in previous classifications.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of the family Meliaceae. Azadirachta (neem tree) is nonnative but is planted everywhere in Malian villages and cities. Khaya ("caïlcédrat") was formerly the boulevard tree of preference in cities in the colonial period; it is native to West Africa but occurs in the wild mainly farther south.
images of plants, in nature or specimens, of family Malvaceae, genera I to Z. 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 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.