362 WILD FOOD PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



Genus RHODOMYRTUS 

 RHODOMYRTUS TOMENTOSA Hassk. 



The fruit is surrounded by a small pulp which is edible. 



Rhodomyrtus tomentosa is a shrub. The leaves are opposite, 

 3 to 7 centimeters in len^h, leathery, pointed at the base, rounded 

 or slightly pointed at the tip, and with the under surfaces hairy. 



This species is found only in northern Luzon and the Babu- 

 yanes Islands. 



Family ERICACEAE 



Genus VACCINIUM 

 VACCINIUM MYRTOIDES (Blume) Miq. (Fig. 77). 

 Local name: Gat mo (Benguet). 



The fruit is a blueberry very similar to the blueberries of 

 America. It has an excellent taste and makes fine preserves 

 and pies. 



Vaccinium myrtoides is a shrub. The leaves are alternate, 

 leathery, 2 to 2.5 centimeters in length, pointed at the tip, and 

 rounded or pointed at the base. The flowers are small, and 

 v/hitish or purplish. 



This species is distributed from Luzon to Mindanao and is 

 common in Benguet, Luzon. 



VACCINIUM WHITFORDII Merr. Katmo. 



Local names: Fafalong (Bontoc); katmo (Benguet); lusong (Lepanto) ; 

 parukapol (Neva Ecija). 



The fruits are produced singly in the axils of the leaves. They 

 are small, black, juicy, subacid, sweet, and of good quality. 



Vaccinium ivhitfordii is a shrub or small tree 1 to 5 meters 

 in height or taller. The leaves are about 1.5 centimeters in 

 length and 5 millimeters wide. The flowers are small and red. 



This species is found in the northern part of Luzon, particu- 

 larly in the Mountain Province, and also in Mindoro, Leyte, 

 and Occidental Negros. It is not cultivated. 



Family MYRSINACEAE 



Genus ARDISIA 

 ARDISIA BOISSIERI A. DC. Tagpo. 



Local names: Apiot (Agusan) ; kanai (Palawan); katagpo (Batangas) ; 

 katatbum, pataktol (Pampanga) ; kolagpiing-puld (Zambales) ; liputing- 



