70 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



Family SAPOTACEAE 



Genus PALAQUIUM 

 PALAQUIUM spp. 



The Philippine species which yield gutta-percha are described 

 in the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



Gutta-percha is official in many pharmacopoeias. 



Family LOGANIACEAE 



Genus STRYCHNOS 



STRYCHNOS I GNAT 1 1 Berg. (Fig. I). St. IGNATIUS Bean. 



Local names: Iganod or igasiid (Samar, Leyte, Surigao) ; kahalonga, 

 leite, San Ignacio (Surigao). 



The seeds are official in the British, Mexican, and Spanish 

 Pharmacopoeias. They are a source of strychnine. The de- 

 mand for Saint Ignatius beans is small and the supply irregular. 

 If there were a greater demand, they could probably be collected 

 in considerable quantities. 



Strychnos ignatii is a large, woody, forest vine. The leaves 

 are opposite, oval, pointed at the tip, pointed or somewhat 

 rounded at the base, prominently three-veined, and 8 to 20 cen- 

 timeters in length. The fruit is rounded, pale yellowish and 

 brown, and 10 centimeters or more in diameter. It contains a 

 number of seeds, which are embedded in a soft pulp, having a 

 squash-like odor. The fresh seeds are greenish straw-color, with 

 a somewhat satin-like appearance. 



This species has been reported from Samar, Leyte, Surigao, 

 Agusan, and Lanao. It is a native of, and is confined to the 

 Philippines. 



Family CONVOLVULACEAE 



Genus OPERCULINA 

 OPERCULINA TURPETHUM(L.) S. Manso. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on fibers. 



The roots and stems are official in the British, French, Mex 

 ican, and Spanish Pharmacopoeias. 



Family LABIATAE 



Genus OCIMUM 

 OCIMUM BASiLICUM L. Balanoi or SwEET BASIL. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



The upper part of the plant is official in the French and 



