278 WILD FOOD PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Family BASELLACEAE 



Genus BASELLA 



BASELLA RUBRA L. LiBATO. 



Local names: Libdto (Tagalog) ; alogbuti (Bisaya) ; aroghdti (Bikol). 



The leaves of this species make a very good substitute for 

 spinach. 



Basella rubra is a juicy, branched, smooth, twining, herba- 

 ceous vine which reaches a length of about 10 meters. The stems 

 are green or purplish. The leaves are somewhat fleshy, pointed 

 at the tip, and 5 to 12 centimeters long. The flowers are pink, 

 about 4 millimeters long, and are borne on spikes which grow in 

 the axils of the leaves and are 5 to 20 centimeters long. The 

 fruit is 5 to 6 millimeters long. 



This species is found throughout the Philippines in waste 

 places. 



Family NYMPHAEACEAE 



Genus NELUMBIUM 

 NELUMBIUM NELUMBO Druce. Baino or LoTUS. 



Local names: Bdiiio' (Tagalog) ; beno" (Laguna) ; linga-ling (Cagayan) ; 

 Sana (Cotabato). 



The large seeds are contained in a cone-shaped structure, 

 and when nearly mature are eaten either raw or roasted. 



According to Crevost and Lemarie,* in Indo-China, the roots 

 of this species are commonly sliced and eaten raw with meats. 



Nelumbium nelumbo is a perennial, aquatic herb with large, 

 rounded leaves and large, attractive, pink, red, or white flowers, 

 which stand out of the water. 



This species has been reported from Cagayan, Laguna, Albay, 

 Camarines, Mindoro, Cotabato, and Davao. It is very common 

 in some parts of Laguna de Bay. The flowers are sold in Manila. 



Genus NYMPH AEA 

 NYMPHAEA PUBESCENS Willd. PulAu. 



Local names: Lduas, puldii (Laguna). 



The fleshy rhizomes of this plant are eaten as a vegetable. 

 The seeds are also used as food. 



Nijmphaea pubescens is a perennial, aquatic herb about 1.5 

 meters in height. The leaves arise from the base of the plant 



* Cat. Prod, de I'lndo-Chine, page 174. 



