362 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 
the Singhalese for making string, rope, mats, and a coarse kind 
of cloth. It is generally prepared by retting, or by simply beat- 
ing and washing. 
Sansevieria zeylanica is an herb with erect, fleshy, flat, 
pointed leaves which are mottled with gray, and are .4 to 1.5 
meters in height. The flowering shoot is up to 80 centimeters 
in height. It bears numerous, pale, straw-colored flowers 
which are usually tinged with green, and are from 2.5 to 3 
centimeters in length. 
This species is widely distributed in the Philippines. It is 
frequently cultivated for ornamental purposes, and is occasionally 
half wild. 
Family AMARYLLIDACEAE 
Genus AGAVE 
AGAVE CANTALA Roxb. MAGUEY. 
This species was introduced into the Philippines by the 
Spaniards at an early date. In the Philippines, maguey is most 
extensively grown in the Ilocano provinces, Luzon, and the is- 
land of Cebu. Most of the plantations are on a small scale, 
and modern methods of cultivation are scarcely used. The 
fiber is, for the most part, extracted by retting the leaves, 
usually in salt water, which unfortunately detracts from its 
value. A considerable amount is, however, exported. The 
chief use of the fiber is in the manufacture of binder twine, 
rope, etc. In the Philippines it is used locally for textiles, 
cordage, for making fish nets, hammocks, slippers, and some 
types of baskets. 
AGAVE SISALANA Perrine. SISAL. 
This species is very similar to the maguey plant and in the 
Philippines is usually confused with it. It was not introduced 
into the Philippines until about 1905, but is now widely dis- 
tributed. Its culture, treatment, and fiber are generally similar 
to that of Agave cantala. The fiber is, however, much more 
valuable than that of Agave cantala. 
Genus CURCULIGO 
CURCULIGO RECURVATA Dryand. ABANG-ABANG. 
The hill people of Camarines use the fiber of this species 
for making false hair. According to Heyne * several species 
of this genus are reported to give 2 tough fiber which is used 
by Dyaks for cordage, and in Borneo for sacking and clothing. 

* Heyne, K., De Nuttige Planten van Nederlandsch-Indié, Volume 1, 
page 187. 
