94 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



Wetting decreased the strength 27 per cent. However, accord- 

 ing to King, the residents of Disdis, Benguet state that the rope 

 is preferably used during the rainy season. 



Stercidia oblongata is a small or medium-sized tree reaching 

 a diameter of 70 centimeters. The leaves are alternate, smooth, 

 oval, 12 to 30 centimeters long, rounded at the base, and pointed 

 at the tip. The flowers are yellowish white, 5 to 6 millimeters 

 long, and are borne on compound inflorescences. The fruits are 

 inflated, hairy, about 5 centimeters long, 3.5 centimeters wide, 

 with a leathery covering, and contain four to six seeds which 

 are about 1.5 centimeters long. 



This species is widely distributed at low altitudes in the 

 Philippines. 



STERCULIA PHILIPPINENSIS Merr. Bani'lad. 



Local names: Bannakdlaii (Ilocos Sur) ; banilad, hanikad, (Mindoro, 

 Guimaras) ; malagasdha (Laguna), 



The bark of this tree is used for making rope. 



Sterculia philippinensis is a tree reaching a height of 30 meters 

 and a diameter of 65 centimeters. It has very large, heart- 

 shaped leaves up to 35 centimeters in length. The flowers are 

 small, pink or red, and are borne in considerable numbers on 

 compound inflorescences. The fruits are large and red. 



This species is widely distributed in Luzon and the Bisaya 

 Islands. 



STERCULIA STIPULARIS R. Br. BONOTAN. 



Local names: Bisong (Nueva Vizcaya) ; bonotan, rapok (Ilocos Norte); 

 bungdt (Cagayan) ; labndi (Itneg, Abra) ; malagasdha (Tayabas). 



The strips of bast of this species are perforated with small 

 holes so that they have a sieve-like appearance. The color is 

 uniform ochraceous-buflf. Rope made from it has very little 

 strength, but is used considerably. It is said to be durable 

 during the wet season and is employed particularly for making 

 hog traps. King found the rope to have a tensile strength of 

 268 kilos per square centimeter, increased 37 per cent by wetting. 



Stercidia stipidaris is a medium-sized tree. The leaves are 

 alternate, hairy, pointed at the tip, rounded at the base, wider 

 near the apex than near the base, and 10 to 30 centimeters 

 long. The flowers are white and purple, and are borne on com- 

 pound inflorescences. The fruit capsules are large, red, and 

 inflated. 



This species is widely distributed at low altitudes in the Phil- 

 ippines. 



