Crossword 553

ACROSS

1. Shrub of the Atriplex genus thriving in dry, alkaline soils (8)

5. Edible seeds of an Asian annual legume (Glycine max) (8)

9. Country, capital Niamey (5)

10. Material for burning as a source of heat or power (4)

11. Thread or beach (6)

12. Describing a region that has little annual rainfall (8)

14. Liquid precipitation (8)

17. African fast-running birds

(Struthio camelus) (9)

19. Tall marsh or water grasses (5)

21. Of a brownish-yellow colour, like some owls (5)

22. Farmers who raise crops (7)

23. Undressed kidskin (5)

25. Fibre yielded by a Mexican agave, used in rope-making (5)

27. Descriptive of poultry not kept in a barn or battery (4-5)

29. Angling lures that stay on the water surface (3,5)

32. Coiling, climbing organs of plants (8)

33. Mental pictures (6)

34. Ailments and misfortunes (4)

35. Very angry (5)

36. Leeway (8)

37. Flightless seabirds that populate a large colony at Boulders Beach in the Cape Peninsula (8)

DOWN

1. Ominous; underhand (8)

2. Any pea or bean family plant (6)

3. The ________ Black Belly is a prolific breed of sheep originating in the Caribbean (8)

4. Hunting dog (5)

5. Relating to the sun (5)

6. Scientist who studies plants (8)

7. Philippine plantain that yields Manila hemp fibre (5)

8. Room at a stable where horseriding equipment is kept (8)

13. Mediate (9)

15. In botany, the growing together of unlike parts (9)

16. Common weed (Plantago lanceolata) with strongly veined leaves (7)

18. Nocturnal predatory birds with broad heads and flat faces (4)

20. Female sheep (4)

23. Dune (8)

24. Flowing out, especially of liquid waste (8)

25. Young plant ready to be moved from the seedbed (8)

26. Large, edible crustaceans that turn red when boiled (8)

28. Capital of Rwanda (6)

30. Fungus used as a raising agent in baking (5)

31. Any aromatic vegetable substance used as a condiment or for seasoning (5)

32. Showy flower of a bulbous genus that is celebrated at an annual festival in Amsterdam (5)