IM\H U8EFITL PLANTS OF (JUAM. 



Sago. See Cnclitrorrnn amironnn an<l Cycan drdnalis. 

 Sagru ((tuani). See Mdnmlit unindinacen. 

 Saguerus ganiuto. Same as Saguerns pinnalns. 



Saguerus pinnatus. Black-fiber palm. 



Fuiuily I'liiR'iiioiireae. 

 Local namrs. — Cabo negro {(Tuam, I'liilippines); Gomuto (Malay Archipelago). 



A large palm witli uiiccnially pinnatiseet leaves and a stout trunk, which in clothed 

 above with tlie (il)r<)us sheaths (if dead li'aves. Segments of the leaves grouped in 

 fascicles of 4 or 5, linear, sword-shaj)ed, 2-loI)ed, or variously dentate at the apex, 

 white or silvery beneath; mid-veins prominent; nerves parallel; margins recurved at 

 the base, and one or both of them auricled, the lower auricle the longer; petiole 

 plano-convex with spiny margin; sheaths short, reticulate-fibrous, the margin cre- 

 uate; spadix large, witii sliort, rellexed peduncle and elongated, slender, pendulous 

 branches; spathes numerous, attached to the peduncle, deciduous; bracts and bract- 

 lets broatl; flowers brownish, fruit a yellowish brown 8-seeded drupe, of the size of 

 a small apple, very acrid. The stem, when young, is entirely covered with sheaths 

 of fallen leaves, and black horse-hair like fil)ers, which issue in great abundance 

 from their margins; but as the tree increases in age, these drop off, leaving a colum- 

 nar stem or trunk. In the Malay Archipelago the thickest fibers are used by the 

 natives as styles for writing on other palms. The finest fibers are known in Eastern 

 commerce as "gonuito" or "ejoo" fiber, and are much used for making strong cord- 

 age, particularly for cables and standing rigging of vessels, whence the name "cabo 

 negro," applied to the tree in the Philippines. They are not pliable enougli for 

 running rigging or for tine cordage. They need no preparation but spinning or 

 twistihg. No ropes of vegetable fiber are so imperishable when subjected to 

 repeated wetting as those made of cabo negro fiber. At the base of the leaves there 

 is a woolly material used in calking ships and stuffing cushions. 



The saccharine sap of this palm in the Malay Archipelago is used for making toddy 

 and sugar. This is obtained in great abundance by cutting the spadices of the flowers 

 in the same wa)' as those of the coconut palm are cut in Guam for the same purpose. 

 (See Cocoif niinfern). When fresh the sap is like sweet cider; by fermentation it 

 becomes intoxicating, and is then distilled into a rum or brandy resembling the aguar- 

 diente of Guam. 



The cabo negro has been introduced into Guam from the Philippines. It grows 

 well, but it has been planted in only one or two spots on the island. At Aniguag, a 

 village between Agaiia and Punta Piti, there is a tine specimen on the inland side of 

 the road. 



Refekences: 



Saguerus pinnatus Wurmb, Verb. Batav. Gen. 1: 35L 1779. 



Arenga sttrcliarifera Labill. Mem. Inst. Par. 4: 209 1801 (ex Ind. Kew. ). 



Saguilala (Philippines). See Cordyline terminalis and Phyllaurea variegata. 



Saguing (Philippines). See Musa paradisiaca. 



Sagus amicarum. Same as Coelococcus amicarum. 



Sakate (Guam). General name applied to grasses and foreign plants. 



Salai maya (Philippines). "Si)arrows-nest." See Dadyloctenium aegyptiacum. 



Sambag, Sambagui, Sambalagui (Philippines). See Tamarindus indica. 



Sampagas (Philippines). See Jasuiinum sambac. 



Sampagita (Guam). See Jasminum sambac. 



Sampalok (Philippines). See Tamarindus indica. 



Sandalwood, false. See Ximenia americana. 



Sandalwood, red. See Adenanthera pavonina. 



