172 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



Genus ZEA 

 ZEA MAYS L. CORN. 



Local name: Mais (Spanish-Filipino). 



A decoction of the fresh or dried stalk, as well as that of 

 the stigmas, is a diuretic much used by the natives of the 

 Philippines, 



Distribution : Cultivated throughout the Philippines. 



Family CYPERACEAE 



Genus KYLLINGA 



KYLLINGA MONOCEPH ALA Rottb. BUSIKAD. 



Local names: Aniiang, inuthd (Tagalog) ; bagi-bdgi, piingos (Samar) ; 

 basikad, botoiicillo (Laguna) ; borsa ulu dadakkel (Union) ; bosbotones, 

 busikad (Bisaya) ; katutu (Cotabato) ; malaapnUd (Pampanga) ; mustra 

 (Tayabas) ; ftudsnd (Bisaya). 



The rhizome yields a decoction employed as a diuretic. Mixed 

 with oil, it is externally employed to combat certain forms of 

 dermatosis. 



Distribution : Common and widely distributed throughout the 

 Philippines. 



Family PALMAE 



Genus ARECA 

 ARECA CATECHU L. BUNGA or BETEL PALM. 



A description and figure of this species and its local names 

 are given in the section on palms. 



The seeds, besides being chewed, are also much employed 

 externally as an astringent. The tender seeds are said to be 

 purgative, and the ripened ones grated are a vermifuge. Some 

 care must be taken in grating, as the seeds contain poisonous 

 elements. 



ARECA HUTCHINSONIANA Becc. PiSA. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on palms. 



The raw terminal bud is given to children to be eaten as a 

 vermifuge. 



Genus ARENGA 

 ARENGA FINN ATA (Wurmb) Merr. KAoNG or Sugar palm. 



A description and figure of this species and its local names are 

 given in the section on palms. 



The unripe fruit is edible, but when ripe is said to be a violent 

 poison for dogs. The fuzz of the petioles is used as a hemos- 

 tatic and cicatrizant. 



