20 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



Bohol, Surigao, and Misamis. LygocUum circinnatum is also 

 known as agsdm in Albay, nitong-puti in Tayabas and Cama- 

 rines, and ndid in parts of Mindanao; LygocUum flexuosum as 

 katdk in Cagayan, nitong-puti in Rizal, nito a dadakkel (Iloko) 

 in Benguet, nitu and kalulung (Ibanak) and sasitang (Iloko) 

 in Isabela; LygocUum japonicum as agsdm in Camarines and 

 karekai (Ibanak) in Isabela, kidot in Cavite, and nitong-puti in 

 Rizal, Cavite and Batangas; LygocUum scanclens as agsdm in 

 Camarines, nito-nitoan in Laguna and nitong-pdrang in Rizal; 

 and LygocUum semihastatum as anton in Albay, The com- 

 monest and most widely known and used species is LygocUum 

 circinnatum. 



Splints prepared from LygocUum are used in the manufacture 

 of baskets, hats, and fancy boxes. In several provinces nito 

 splints are combined with buri or some other fiber to make 

 various fancy articles such as cigarette cases or pocketbooks. 

 The effect is very pleasing, particularly when the nito is black. 



The species of LygocUum are slender, climbing ferns. The 

 climbing portion is the leaf, which is of indefinite growth and 

 length. The genus LygocUuyn is distinguished from all other 

 Philippine ferns by these characteristics of the leaves. 



Family GNETACEAE 



Genus GNETUM 

 GNETUM GNEMON L. BaGO. 



Local names: Bdgo, magatungdl (Lanao, Cotabato) ; ktigitas (Butuan) ; 

 hdgo or bdgu (Bataan, Tayabas, Camarines); bandgo (Bisaya) ; human 

 (Davao) . 



The bark of this tree is made into rope. The fruits are edible 

 when cooked, while the young leaves are cooked and eaten as a 

 vegetable. 



Gnetum gnemon is a tree reaching a height of about 10 meters. 

 The leaves are opposite, oval, 10 to 20 centimeters in length, 

 and usually pointed at both ends. The fruits are red, ovoid or 

 ellipsoid, and about 2 centimeters long. 



GNETUM INDiCUM (Lour.) Merr. (G. latifolium BL). 



Local names: Edging (Butuan); bids (Rizal); kalidt (Benguet); knlidd 

 (Cagayan); kulidt (Pampanga, Bataan, Rizal, Lanao). 



The bark is used for tying purposes and for making rope. 

 The vine is also utilized as a source of drinking water in the 

 forest. The fruits are edible when cooked. 



Gnetum incUcum is a coarse vine. The leaves are large, 

 pointed at the apex, usually rounded at the base, and from 10 



