100 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 



The flowers are red and j^ellow, 1.2 to 1.4 centimeters in length. 

 The fruits are somewhat pointed at both ends, 6 to 8 centimeters 

 in length, and 1 to 1.3 centimeters in diameter at the middle. 

 Thej^ contain numerous, flat seeds to which are attached nu- 

 merous, long, silky hairs. 



This species is very common and widely distributed in open 

 places in the Philippines. It is a native of tropical America, but 

 is now a weed in most tropical countries. 



Genus STREPTOCAULON 

 STREPTOCAULON BAUMII Decne. HiNGGfu-NA-PUTl. 



Local names: Duktung-dhas (Rizal) ; hing yiu-kalabdu (Bulaean) ; hing- 

 gm-na-puti (Manila); mara-ipus (Union); sibut-sibutan (Rizal). 



This vine is used for tying purposes. 



Streptocaulon baumii is a woody vine. The leaves are oppo- 

 site, round or heart-shaped at the base, pointed at the tip, and 

 from 7 to 13 centimeters long. The flowers are numerous and 

 very small. The fruit is about 6 centimeters long and 5 milli- 

 meters in diameter, cylindrical, and pointed at the tip. It 

 contains numerous black seeds crowned with silky hairs. 



This species is widely distributed in the Philippines. 



Family CONVOLVULACEAE 



Genus M ERR EM I A 

 MERREMIA NYMPHAEI FOLIA Hall. f. BULAKAN. 



Local names: Bulak-buldkan (Camarines) ; buldkan (Tayabas, Laguna, 

 Mindoro) ; burdkan (Camarines); tampinita (Misamis). 



This vine is sometimes used for tying purposes. 



Merremia mjmphaeifolia has alternate, heart-shaped leaves, 

 which are from 8 to 25 centimeters in length. The flowers are 

 large and yellow. 



This species is distributed throughout the Philippines. 



Genus OPERCULINA 



OPERCULINA TURPETHUM (L.) Manso. 



Local names: Burdkan (Ticao) ; kmnokarnofehan (Rizal). 



This vine is used for tying purposes. 



Operculina turpethum is a pubescent vine reaching a length of 

 5 meters or more. The stems are often purplish, prominently 2- 

 to 4-angled, and narrowly winged. The leaves are alternate, 

 5 to 15 centimeters long, the apex pointed, the base somewhat 

 heart-shaped or straight. The corolla is white and 4 centimeters 

 long and wide. The capsule is rounded and 1 to 1.5 centimeters 

 in diameter. 



This species is found throughout the Philippine Islands. 



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