408 PHILIPPINE FIBER PLANTS 
The flowers are red and yellow, 1.2 to 1.4 centimeters in length. 
The fruits are somewhat pointed at both ends, 6 to 8 centimeters 
in length, and 1 to 1.3 centimeters in diameter at the middle. 
They contain numerous, flat seeds to which are attached nu- 
merous, long, silky hairs. 
This species is very common and widely distributed in open 
places in the Philippines. It is a native of tropical America, but 
is now a weed in most tropical countries. 
Genus STREPTOCAULON 
STREPTOCAULON BAUMII Decne. HINGGIU-NA-PUTI. 
Local names: Duktung-dhas (Rizal); hinggiu-kalabdu (Bulacan) ; hing- 
giu-na-puti (Manila) ; mara-ipus (Union) ; sibut-sibitan (Rizal). 
This vine is used for tying purposes. 
Streptocaulon baumii is a woody vine. The leaves are oppo- 
site, round or heart-shaped at the base, pointed at the tip, and 
from 7 to 13 centimeters long. The flowers are numerous and 
very small. The fruit is about 6 centimeters long and 5 milli- 
meters in diameter, cylindrical, and pointed at the tip. It 
contains numerous black seeds crowned with silky hairs. 
This species is widely distributed in the Philippines. 
Family CONVOLVULACEAE 
Genus MERREMIA 
MERREMIA NYMPHAEIFOLIA Hall. f. BULAKAN. 
Local names: Bulak-buldkan (Camarines) ; buldkan (Tayabas, Laguna, 
Mindoro) ; burdkan (Camarines) ; tampinita (Misamis). 
This vine is sometimes used for tying purposes. 
Merremia nymphaeifolia has alternate, heart-shaped leaves, 
which are from 8 to 25 centimeters in length. The flowers are 
large and yellow. 
This species is distributed throughout the Philippines. 
Genus OPERCULINA 
OPERCULINA TURPETHUM (L.) Manso. 
Local names: Burdkan (Ticao); kamokamotéhan (Rizal). 
This vine is used for tying purposes. 
Operculina turpethum is a pubescent vine reaching a length of 
5 meters or more. The stems are often purplish, prominently 2- 
to 4-angled, and narrowly winged. The leaves are alternate, 
5 to 15 centimeters long, the apex pointed, the base somewhat 
heart-shaped or straight. The corolla is white and 4 centimeters 
long and wide. The capsule is rounded and 1 to 1.5 centimeters 
in diameter. 
This species is found throughout the Philippine Islands. 
