182 PHILIPPINE PALMS 
CARYOTA CUMINGII Lodd. PUGAHAN OR FISH-TAIL PALM. 
Local names: Bahi (Mandaya) ; hagol (Bikol) ; patikan (Bisaya) ; pugu- 
han (Manobo) ; pola (Bagobo) ; pugdhan, tagipan (Tagalog). 
This palm is widely distributed in the Philippines. It is 
usually about 6 meters in height and 20 centimeters in diameter, 
with spreading alternate leaves scattered along a considerable 
portion of the upper part of the rather slender trunk. A 
kind of sago is sometimes secured from this palm by the method 
used in obtaining sago from the buri, sugar palm, and the true 
sago palm. Caryota is, however, apparently less utilized for 
its starch than are the other palms just mentioned. This and 
other species of the genus are occasionally used as a source of 
tuba or palm wine. It is claimed that this tuba has a rather 
unpleasant odor and fiavor, for which reason it is gathered 
only when the more desirable palms are not available. The 
fruits are globose, small in size, and with a single seed. The 
pulpy outer covering contains very numerous, stinging, needle- 
like crystals or rhaphides. Blanco states that the mature 
seeds are sometimes used by the Filipinos as a substitute for 
the Areca fruit for chewing. The lower parts of the petiole 
furnish a soft, rather flossy fiber similar to that obtained from 
the sugar palm (Arenga pinnata). The two fibers are called 
by the same name, barok, and are used for the same purposes, 
that is, as tinder, for caulking boats, and formerly, according 
to Delgado, for stuffing pillows. Splints cut from the petioles 
are used in making baskets. This palm, like all other repre- 
sentatives of the genus, is very attractive and is quite commonly 
cultivated for ornamental purposes. It is possible that some of 
our species might be relatively as valuable as the toddy palm of 
India (Caryota urens Linn.) which is extensively used as a 
source of starch, tuba, alcohol, and sugar, although none of the 
Philippine species are thus utilized to any great extent. 
Among the other species of the genus reported from the 
Philippines is Caryota mitis Lour., which has recently been found 
in Palawan and which is now occasionally cultivated in Manila 
for ornamental purposes. This is a slender palm, and the only 
representative of the genus in the Philippines which sends up 
shoots from the base of the trunk. Caryota rumphiana Mart. 
is a magnificent species much larger in every way than Caryota 
cumingii, and is planted in Manila for ornamental purposes. 
Caryota merrillii Bece. is apparently closely allied to Caryota 
cumingii, and Caryota majestica Lodd. to Caryota rumphiana. 
The various species do not appear to have specific local names, 
but are all designated by names quoted under Caryota cumingit. 
