94 



in the Bicol Peninsula ^ and their Bicol name, "amlong," 

 has come into general school use. In the Bicol Provinces 

 they speak of white, brown, and black amlong, implying 

 that the part used — central part of the air root (central 

 cylinder) — stays white or becomes brown or almost black 

 in color after removal from the surrounding tissue.- 



The length of these air roots varies; many of them are 

 15 m. or more long. They usually originate from various 

 parts of the stem and grow toward the ground. Normally, 

 they never branch, but if a root is injured new branches 

 are formed above the injured or broken part. Because of 

 the fact that the roots do not develop branches, they are 

 preferred to jointed vines as a basketry material. 



The leaves of aroids vary in length from 1 dm. to over 

 1 m. and are generally arranged alternately on a climbing 

 stem several centimeters in diameter. They are rather 

 thick, not as fleshy as the leaves of maguey, but considerably 

 thicker than ordinary plant leaves. In many Araceae (the 

 family to which amlong belongs) the leaves are at first 

 entire, but later become deeply indented. Both stamens 

 and pistils of the flowers may or may not be borne on the 

 same thick, fleshy, fingerlike organ called a spadix. A kind 

 of hood called a spathe usually surrounds the spadix. 



In general, it is not difficult to recognize in the forest 

 plants having air roots (aroids) . It is, however, often hard 



^ The Philippine Craftsman, Vol. I, No. 1, 1912, Philippine 

 Baskets, page 12: "The manner in which these materials (air roots, 

 certain vines, nito, irao, palm petioles) came to be used is interesting. 

 The children in the public schools of Polangui, Albay, had been making 

 bamboo baskets, as that was supposed to be the cheapest material 

 and the one easiest of access. But as the ribs always broke at any 

 point where they were sharply bent, teachers and pupils were urged 

 to find some cheap material that would not have this fault. They 

 began looking about and asking the older people. As a result certain 

 air roots which had previously been employed as a tying material 

 were found satisfactory for basket making. Banban was also brought 

 into school use. When banban became scarce, it was found that palm 

 petioles could be substituted for it. Polangui baskets have therefore 

 derived their name from this town. Baskets of this type were gotten 

 out in 1910 by a Filipino teacher, Pedro Espinas." 



' An example of each kind will be briefly discussed under these 

 colors for amlong. 



