110 THE MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



at the base. Corolla salver-shaped, persistent, with border 

 having 4 small lobules. Stamens 8, fertile. Ovaries 4, free, 

 each with 1 many-ovuled cell. Styles same length as the sta- 

 mens. Stigmas awl-shaped. Four seed vessels, each with 1 

 compartment containing many oblong seeds. 



HABITAT. Common in all parts of the islands. 



COMBRETACEJE. 



Terminalia Catappa, L. (T. molucana, Lam.; T. mauricimui, 



Blanco.) 



NOM. VULG. Talisay, Tag.; Almendro, Sp.-Fil.; Talisay, 

 Banilak, Nato, Hitam, Vis.; Kalisay, Pam.; Lugo, Pandan, 

 Hoc.; Indian Almond, Indo-Eng. 



USES. The kernel is edible and has a very agreeable taste. 

 It yields about 50 Jfe of a fixed oil, sweet and savory. If left 

 for some time, it deposits an abundance of stearin. It closely 

 resembles oil of sweet almonds for which it, as well as the oil 

 of Pili (Canarium commune, L.), which we have already de- 

 scribed, makes a good substitute. 



The trunk bark is astringent and in decoction is used for 

 atonic diarrhoea and as a lotion for ulcers. 



DECOCTION. 



Bark (ground and pounded) 12 grams. 



Water 150 " 



Simple syrup 40 " 



To be given by the tablespoonful in 24 hours. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. A tree, 6-8 m. high. Branches 

 horizontal and radiating from the trunk. Leaves purplish, 

 bunched, cleft at the base, sometimes transversely ovate, some- 

 times oval, notched, glabrous. Petiole very short. Flowers 

 axillary, racemose, with a scale at the base of the peduncle, some 

 hermaphrodite and others lacking pistils. Staminate flowers : 

 calyx downy within, with 5 lobes. Corolla wanting. Stamens 



