98 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



that of children. A few cases of phlebitis have been reported 

 as occasioned by its use. The extract is made as follows : 



Sibukao in small pieces 500 grams. 



Boiling water 4J liters. 



Macerate for 24 hours, boil until reduced by half, filter and 

 evaporate the filtrate to a syrupy consistency. Do not use iron 

 vessels. 



Sibukao contains much tannin and gallic acid, and a pecu- 

 liar substance which distinguishes it from logwood, brasilin 

 (C 22 H 20 O 7 ), which gives a red color to alkaline solutions instead 

 of blue or purple. It is a crystalline pigment which may be 

 considered a compound of hematoxylon and fenol. 



Botanical Description. — A very common tree, 12-15° 

 high, with spiny trunk, leaves twice abruptly pinnate. Leaf- 

 lets linear, notched at the apex. Flowers racemose. Calyx 

 boat-shaped. Corolla, 5 petals, the uppermost broad, short, 

 spotted red. Stigma bifid. Pod sabre-like, woody, with 3-4 

 seeds separated by partitions. The wood is well known every- 

 where in the Philippines, being a very important article of 

 commerce, and there is no fear of logwood being substituted 

 for it, as the latter is more expensive, and substitutions are not 

 ordinarily made under such circumstances. In commerce it 

 occurs in large pieces of all shapes and forms, since the branches 

 and trunks are cut into pieces which vary from |-2 meters in 

 length. Its color is reddish-yellow or white with more or less 

 red grain. Blooms in September. 



Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Swartz. (Poinciana pulcherrima, 

 L. & Blanco.) 



Nom. Vulg. — Flores y Rosas Caballero, Caballero, Sp.-Fil.; 

 Barbadoes Flower-Fence, Eng. 



Uses. — The leaves are emmenagogue, purgative like those of 

 senna, and excitant. The bark especially is a powerful emmen- 

 agogue, used in some countries for criminal purposes. The 



