194 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 
Balanophora sp. 
Family Balanophoraceae. 
A low, fleshy, leafless parasitic plant of an orange-scarlet color devoid of chloro- 
phyll growing on the roots of other plants, and shaped when young like an asparagus 
sprout. The whole plant is waxy and translucent. The flowers are unisexual and 
are closely crowded together. The male flowers have a regular perianth, but the 
female flowers have none. The latter consist of a one-celled ovary having a single 
ovule and along style. It resembles a species growing in the Fiji Islands, but the 
latter is pale yellow instead of reddish-orange. 
Balasbas (Philippines). See Graptophyllum pictum., 
Balatong (Philippines). See Phaseolus mungo. 
Balatong aso (Philippines). See Cassia occidentalis. 
Balidcag (Visayan). See Dioscorea aculeata and D. sativa. 
Balibago (Philippines). See Pariti tiliacewm; in the Guam vernacular called 
‘*pago.”’ 
Balimbing (Philippines). See Averrhoa carambola, 
Baliskug (Visayan). See Clerodendron inerme. 
Baliti (Philippines). See Ficus sp. 
Balloon vine. See Cardiospernum halicacabum. 
Balokbalok (Philippines). See Lobelia koenigii. 
Balogo (Visayan). See Lens phaseoloides. 
Balones (Philippines). See Lens phaseoloides. 
Balonggai (Visayan). See Moringa moringa. 
Balsam, Garden. See Impatiens balsamina. 
Balsam-pear. See Momordica charantic. 
Balsamina (Spanish). See Momordica charantia, 
Balubad (Philippines). See Anacardiimm oecidentale. 
Balunggai (Philippines). See Moringa moringa. 
Bamboo. See Bambos blumeana and Bambos sp. 
Bambos blumeana. THORNY BAMBOO. 
Family Poaceae. 
LocAL NAMEs.—Piao tituka, Piao lahe (Gauam); Cauayang tinie (Philippines) ; 
Cafia espinas, Cafia macho (Spanish ). 
A handsome bamboo armed with sharp recurved spines, forming impenetrable 
thickets in moist places, and often attaining the height of 50 feet. Stems growing 
in clumps; hard, smooth, glossy green when growing, walls thick, nodes not promi- 
nent; flowers produced at long intervals, the plants dying after the seeds have 
matured, 
This plant was introduced from the Philippines. It is much stronger and more 
durable than the common spineless pico, and is used by the natives in building 
houses (Plate XX), ranchos, and inclosures. Fresh canes stuck in the ground often 
take root. Large canes cut into lengths of 6 to 8 feet with the septa removed are 
used as water vessels (see Plate II; young carabao loaded with bamboo vessels filled 
with water), and single joints are used as flower pots and for collecting the sap of 
the coconut, as described under Cocos nucifera. The stem split into slats about an 
inch wide is used for making platforms in farmhouses, upon which the natives 
sleep, and also for inclosures under these platforms for the protection of young 
chickens from rats, cats, and lizards. 
REFERENCES: 
Bambos blumeana Schult. f. Syst. '7?: 1348. 1830, as Bambusa blumeana, 
