258 WILD FOOD PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



The tubers are poisonous, but are rendered edible by being 

 sliced and kept in running water from 36 to 48 hours. 



Dioscorea hispida is a climbing vine and is characterized by 

 compound leaves v^ith three very large leaflets. The young 

 stems, petioles, and leaflets are hairy. The flowers are small, 

 pale yellow, and are borne on compound inflorescences, which 

 are usually large. The fruits are about 5 centimeters long and 

 divided into three thin lobes, which are more than twice as long 

 as wide. 



This species is distributed from the Mountain Province of 

 Luzon to Basilan. It is common in the central provinces of 

 Luzon and also in the northern part of Mindanao. It is rarely 

 cultivated. 



DIOSCOREA LUZON ENSIS Schauer. Pakit. 



Local names: Aribu-bu, kamdngog (Union); kirini, mayathang (Rizal) ; 

 paket or pakit (Laguna) ; ubag (Bulacan). 



The long, slender, underground tubers are collected and pre- 

 pared in the same manner as potatoes. 



Dioscorea luzone^isis is a twining vine with somewhat arrow- 

 shaped leaves. The flowers are small, and occur on spikes which 

 grow in clusters from the axils of the leaves. The fruits are 

 divided into three thin, somewhat semi-circular lobes, and con- 

 tain thin, winged seeds. 



This species has been reported only from the island of Luzon 

 and is found in the following provinces: Ilocos Norte, Bontoc, 

 Lepanto, Union, Bulacan, Zambales, Rizal, Laguna, and Ba- 

 tangas. It is not cultivated. 



DIOSCOREA PENTAPHYLLA L. LiMA-LIMA. 



Local name: Lbna-limd (Rizal, Manila vicinity); sapang (Bisaya). 



The large, starchy tubers are eaten like potatoes. 



Dioscorea pentaphylla is a vine growing from stout, under- 

 ground tubers. The stems bear scattered, small spines. Small 

 tubers are found in the axils of the leaves, which are compound, 

 with usually five to seven leaflets. These are pointed at the tip, 

 smooth or nearly so, and 8 to 15 centimeters long. The flowers 

 are small, yellowish white, somewhat fragrant, and borne in 

 large numbers on compound, axillary inflorescences. 



This species is common and widely distributed in the Philip- 

 pines, but is not extensively cultivated. 



