30 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



usually forms a stand immediately back of the beach. It is 

 never found very far inland. Under favorable conditions it 

 reaches a height of 5 to 6 meters. The size and length of the 

 leaves vary greatly. 



This pandan is of comparatively little economic value. The 

 leaves are split into strips and this material is used, to a limited 

 extent, for making mats or, when bleached, for weaving hats. 

 The longer leaves are sometimes utilized for weaving coarse, 

 temporary baskets. Material from a form of this species is 

 extensively used in Formosa and Liukiu for making imitation 

 Panama hats. 



The lower part of the mature fruit is covered by a yellowish- 

 red pulp. This is rarely eaten, although its flavor is excellent. 



Family GRAMINEAE 



Genus ANDROPOGON 



ANDROPOGON HALEPENSIS var. PROPINQUUS (Kunth) Merr. Batad- 



BATARAN. 



Local names: Aroro (Camarines) ; batdd (Bukidnon) ; batdd-batdran 

 (Tagalog) ; uginai (Bukidnon). 



The stalks of this grass are split into strips and occasionally 

 utilized in making hats. 



Andropogon halepeTisis is a coarse, perennial grass reaching 

 a height of 3 meters. It has stout, cylindrical, solid stems, 

 broad leaves, and open panicles. 



This species is found in thickets and open, damp places, and 

 is common and widely distributed in the Philippines. 



ANDROPOGON ZIZANIOIDES (L.) Urb. MoRAS or Vetiver. 



Local names: Amoi^a (Cebu) ; amoras (Ilocos Norte); anias or anias 

 de moras (Pampanga) ; anis de moro (Ilocos Sur, Abra, Pangasinan) ; 

 geron, giron (Iloilo) ; ilib (Pampanga) ; mora or moras (Pampanga, Tar- 

 lac, Rizal, Manila, Laguna, Camarines, Albay, Sorsogon, Antique, Cebu, 

 Occidental Negros) ; rhnodas (Capiz) ; rimora (Zambales) ; limoras (Ca- 

 marines) ; tres moras (Capiz). 



The roots are used for weaving fans which are prized on 

 account of their agreeable odor. For this purpose the roots 

 are prepared by dipping them in water for about 20 minutes 

 and then pounding them with a light, wooden club to remove 

 the outer portion. They are then pressed and woven into fans. 

 These are sometimes sold in oriental curio shops in America as 

 "sandal-root" fans. 



The stalks are used in making hats. For this purpose flower 

 stalks of suitable size are selected, and the inflorescence and 



