292 WILD FOOD PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Genus PACHYRRHIZUS 

 PACHYRRHIZUS EROSUS (L.) Urb. SiNGKAMAS. 



A description of this species and its local names are given in 

 the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



The roots are large, fleshy, and turnip-shaped. They are eaten 

 either raw or prepared in a variety of ways. The fruit is some- 

 times used as a vegetable. 



Genus PHASEOLUS 

 PHASEOLUS LUNATUS L. LiMA BEAN OR Patani. 



Local names: Bulai patani (Manila vicinity); katakut (Bontoc) ; parda 

 (Ilocos Norte) ; patani (Ilocos Norte, Bontoc, Pampanga, Rizal, Batangas, 

 Camarines). 



A form of the ordinary patani or lima bean with dark-colored 

 seeds is common in thickets in some parts of the Philippines. 

 The seeds are sometimes edible, but may be poisonous, deaths 

 having occured from eating them. 



Phaseolus lunatus is a slender, smooth, annual, herbaceous 

 vine reaching a length of 4 meters or more. The leaves are 

 somewhat rounded at the base and pointed at the tip. The 

 flowers are greenish or pale yellow, and borne on long stalks. 

 The pods are oblong, somewhat curved, 6 to 12 centimeters long, 

 about 2 centimeters wide, and contain 1 to 4 large seeds. 



Genus PITHECOLOBIUM 

 PITHECOLOBIUM DULCE (Roxb.) Benth. (Fig. 32). Kamachile. 



Local names: Damortis (Bontoc, Union, Pangasinan) ; kamachile (Ma- 

 nila, Camarines) ; kamanchile (Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Manila, Tayabas) ; 

 komontres (Abra). 



The pods are often twisted spirally, red when ripe, 10 to 18 

 centimeters long, and about a centimeter wide. They contain 

 six to eight seeds surrounded by whitish, sweet, edible pulp of 

 good flavor. 



Large quantities of the bark of this species are gathered for 

 tanning purposes. 



Pithecolobium dulce is a tree 5 to 8 meters in height. The 

 branches are armed with short, sharp spines found at the bases 

 of the leaves. The leaves are twice compound with four leaflets, 

 which are 1 to 4 centimeters in length. The flowers are white, 

 and in dense heads which are about a centimeter in diameter. 



This species is a native of tropical America, but is now thor- 



