44 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



for the manufacture of sleeping-mats, floor mats, and to a less 

 extent for hats, slippers, tobacco cases, cushions, etc. The 

 stems are used either whole or split. After being gathered 

 they are bleached for several days by spreading in the sun. 

 They cannot be woven when too dry as they are then brittle. 



Fimbristj/Us glohulosa is widely distributed in the Philippines 

 and although of somewhat local occurrence, is frequently found 

 in great abundance. It occurs at low altitudes in the settled 

 areas, and grows in low, wet, sw^ampy places and in rice lands. 



In favorable habitats it is said to attain sometimes a height 

 of 3 meters, but is usually less than half this height. This 

 species is much more common in the central and southern 

 Philippines than in Luzon. It is claimed that when once 

 established in rice lands, it is difficult to eradicate; but in spite 

 of this it would seem that, in some places, its cultivation would 

 be justified as a source of material for mats. 



Genus RHYNCHOSPORA 



RHYNCHOSPORA CORYMBOSA (L.) Britt. RaGIU. 



Local names: Agds (Bisaya, Bikol) ; bdrm-bdriu, ragiii-diu, ragiu, 

 rakido, piso-piso (Bikol). 



In the provinces of southern Luzon this sedge is utilized to 

 some extent in the manufacture of mats, sandals, baskets, and 

 screens. The stems are used either whole or split. From an 

 economic standpoint this plant is probably of little value. 



Rhynchospora cor^ymbosa is a coarse sedge, about 1 meter in 

 height. The stems are distinctly triangular and the leaves broad 

 and long. This species is widely distributed in open, wet places 

 at low and medium altitudes. 



Genus SCIRPIODENDRON 



SCIRPIODENDRON GHAERI (Gaertn.) Merr. Gaas. 



Local name: Gdas (Bisaya). 



In Leyte the leaves of this sedge are used to some extent in 

 making hats, but the material is apparently of inferior quality. 



Scirpiodendron ghaeri is the largest and coarsest sedge in the 

 Philippines, greatly resembling a narrow-leaved pandan in ap- 

 pearance. The leaves are from 1 to 4 meters in length and 

 very numerous. The edges are armed with numerous short 

 spines. The fruits are distinctly ridged, over a centimeter in 

 length, and borne in compact clusters subtended by large leaf- 

 like bracts. The plant is gregarious and often found in large 

 quantities in open ravines, along small streams, in swamps at 

 low altitudes, and sometimes around the borders of lakes. 



