174 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 
Acapulco (Guam). 
Vernacular name for Herpetica alata, a plant introduced into the Philippines and 
Guam from Mexico, 
Achiote or Achote (Spanish). See Biva orellana. 
Achiotl (Mexico). See Bivra orellana. 
Achras sapota. See Sapotu zapotilla. 
Achuete (Philippines). See Bira orellana. 
Achugan ((iuam). 
Vernacular name for a coarse swamp grass. Only carabaos will eat it. 
Achyranthes aspera. PRICKLY CHAFF-FLOWER. 
Family Amaranthaceae. 
Loca NAMrEs.—Chichitun (Guam); Saromo (Philippines); Lau tefe-ule (Samoa). 
A shrubby weed growing to the height of 3 feet, with slender elongated spikes 
of purplish-green flowers, which are at length reflexed and appressed to the axis; 
flowers cartilaginous; bracts at first. soft, but soon becoming rigid and prickle- 
like; capsules 5-seeded, reddish; stems downy, inclined to be 4-angled; leaves 
opposite, ovate or rounded, abruptly attenuate at the base, pubescent. 
A species widely spread throughout the warmer regions of the globe. In Guam 
itis a troublesome weed; the vernacular name, signifying “tick,” is given on account 
of the property the fruit has of sticking to the clothing. In Samoa it is thought by 
the natives to have healing properties, and is called “ circumcision plant.’? In India 
the leaves taken fresh and rubbed to a pulp are applied externally to the stings of 
scorpions. A decoction of them is used asa diuretic, and the seeds are used asa 
remedy for hydrophobia and snake bites. 
REFERENCES: 
Achyranthes aspera LL. Sp. Pl. 1: 204. 1753. 
Acrostichum aureum. MARSH FERN. PLATE IV. 
Family Polypodiaceae. 
LocaL NAMES.—Langayao (Guam); Lau sa’ato (Samoa); Lagolo (Philippines). 
A large, robust, pinnatisect fern growing in marshy places, with smooth, leathery 
fronds, the upper segments of which bear the sori on the under surface and the 
lower of which are sterile; veins forming a network; midrib almost excurrent. 
This species is of wide distribution in the Tropics. In Guam it is common in the 
large marsh near Agafia called Ja Ciénaga. In Fiji its fronds, together with the leaves 
of Parinari laurinum, were formerly used for thatching the temples of the aborigines. 
It occurs in the West Indies and in southern Florida. 
REFERENCES: 
Acrostichum aureum L. Sp. Pl. 1068. 1753. 
Acrostichum spicatum. Same as Belvisia spicata, See Kerns. 
Adelfa (Spanish). See Neriwm oleander. 
Adenanthera pavonina. CORAL-BEAN TREE, 
Family Mimosaceae. 
Loca NAMEs.—Koliles, Kuldlis (Guam) ; Bahay, Casay (Philippines); La’au 
lop’ (Samoa); Redwood, Red sandalwood (India). 
A handsome deciduous tree with spreading branches and bipinnate leaves, bear- 
ing pods of glossy, scarlet, biconvex seeds. Pinnae 2 to 6 pairs; leaflets 6 to 12 pairs, 
oval, obtuse, glabrous; flowers in racemes, numerous, small, white and yellow 
mixed, fragrant; calyx 4 or 5-toothed; stamens 8 to 10: pods linear, somewhat 
curved, bivalved, 10 to 12-seeded. 
The tree is a native of the Kast Indies, where the jewelers use the seeds for 
weights, each weighing almost exactly 4 grains. The heartwood of the larger trees 
is of a deep red color. Tt is hard and durable and in India is sometimes used as a 
substitute for red sandalwood. It yields a dye, which the Brahmins of India use for 
