45 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



used either entire or split. Amlong is white, brown, or black, 

 depending on the species from which it is obtained. Brown 

 and black amlong can be bleached by treating with a solution 

 of sodium peroxide. 



Genus EPIPREM N UM 

 EPIPREMNUM spp. 



This genus is very similar to Raphidophora in appearance and 

 in the situations in which it grows. Material secured from 

 the air-roots is used for weaving baskets. It is apparently 

 mostly white. 



Epipremnum is distributed from Luzon to Mindanao. 



Genus POTHOIDIUM 



POTHOIDIUM LOBBIANUM Schott. Balongkahinai. 



Local names: Ariman (Cagayan) ; balongkahinai (Negros Occidental); 

 baralta (Cavite, Rizal, Batangas) ; magutapilak (Butuan) ; nialagaydmav 

 (Zambales). 



TMs- species is used as tying material for fish corrals. It is 

 collected in considerable quantities in Negros and some of it 

 reaches the Iloilo market. 



Pothoklium lobbiciniim is very similar in appearance to Pothos, 

 and grows in similar situations. It can be distinguished from 

 Pothos by the fact that the inflorescences are compound, while 

 those of Pothos are simple. 



This species is apparently common and widely distributed in 

 the Philippines. 



Genus POTHOS 



POTHOS spp. (Plate XVI). 



Local names: Bagi, malagaydman (Tayabas) ; bagii-baldnak (Samar) ; 

 mala-ang lako lakop (Samar) ; palipe (Camarines) ; tibdtib (Bulacan) ; 

 uarat-uarat (Camarines). 



The different species of Pothos are vines which climb up the 

 trunks of trees and produce numerous, long, tough, aerial roots 

 which are uniform in diameter and frequently straight. The 

 central cylinders of these aerial roots are extensively used in the 

 Philippines in making coiled baskets. The color varies from 

 white to brown or even black, depending on the species. 



This genus is characterized by its peculiar leaves ; the petioles 

 being, for the most part, leaf-like. In some species they are 

 broader and longer than the blades and in others smaller than 

 the blades. The joint between the blade and petiole is, however, 

 always very evident. 



Pothos is distributed in forests throughout the Philippines. 



