A402 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 
Wetting decreased the strength 27 per cent. However, accord- 
ing to King, the residents of Disdis, Benguet state that the rope 
is preferably used during the rainy season. 
Sterculia oblongata is a small or medium-sized tree reaching 
a diameter of 70 centimeters. The leaves are alternate, smooth, 
oval, 12 to 30 centimeters long, rounded at the base, and pointed 
at the tip. The flowers are yellowish white, 5 to 6 millimeters 
long, and are borne on compound inflorescences. The fruits are 
inflated, hairy, about 5 centimeters long, 3.5 centimeters wide, 
with a leathery covering, and contain four to six seeds which 
are about 1.5 centimeters long. 
This species is widely distributed at low altitudes in the 
Philippines. 
STERCULIA PHILIPPINENSIS Merr. BANiLAD. 
Local names: Bannakalau (Ilocos Sur); banilad, banikad, (Mindoro, 
Guimaras); malagasadha (Laguna). 
The bark of this tree is used for making rope. 
Sterculia philippinensis is a tree reaching a height of 30 meters 
and a diameter of 65 centimeters. It has very large, heart- 
shaped leaves up to 35 centimeters in length. The flowers are 
small, pink or red, and are borne in considerable numbers on 
compound inflorescences. The fruits are large and red. 
This species is widely distributed in Luzon and the Bisaya 
Islands. 
STERCULIA STIPULARIS R. Br. BoNOTAN. 
Local names: Biséng (Nueva Vizcaya); bondtan, rapok (Ilocos Norte) ; 
bungat (Cagayan); labnai (Itneg, Abra); malagasdha (Tayabas). 
The strips of bast of this species are perforated with small 
holes so that they have a sieve-like appearance. The color is 
uniform ochraceous-buff. Rope made from it has very little 
strength, but is used considerably. It is said to be durable 
during the wet season and is employed particularly for making 
hog traps. King found the rope to have a tensile strength of 
268 kilos per square centimeter, increased 37 per cent by wetting. 
Sterculia stipularis is a medium-sized tree. The leaves are 
alternate, hairy, pointed at the tip, rounded at the base, wider 
near the apex than near the base, and 10 to 30 centimeters 
long. The flowers are white and purple, and are borne on com- 
pound inflorescences. The fruit capsules are large, red, and 
inflated. 
This species is widely distributed at low altitudes in the Phil- 
ippines. 
