358 USEFUL PLANTS OF GUAM. 



leaves abruptly bipinnate; leaflets sessile, close, membranous, oblique-oblong; sta- 

 mens much exserted; petals broadly spreading, on long claws; pod thin, flat, smooth, 

 6 to 8-seeded. 



Universally cultivated in the Tropics; its native countrj' not clearly known. In 

 Guam it is common in gardens and growing along fences. It remains in bloom all 

 the year. The leaves are said to be purgative and have been used as a substitute for 

 senna. In the West Indies a decoction of the leaves and flowers is used as a remedy 

 in fevers. The wood makes excellent charcoal. In India ink is made from the 

 charred wood. 

 References: 

 Poinciana puhherrima L. Sp. PI. 1 : 380. 1753. 

 Caesalpinia pulclierrima Swartz, Obs. 166. 1791. 

 Poisonous plants. 



Among the plants containing poisonous principles may be mentioned the following: 



Abrus abnis. — Kolales halom-tano; seeds. 



Annona muricata. — Laguand; root a flsh poison, leaves anthelmintic. 



Annona reticulata. — Anonas; leaves anthelmintic. 



Annona squamosa. — Atis; seeds, leaves, and unripe fruit kill insects. 



Areca cathecu. — Betel nut; active principle of nut antheln intic. 



Asclepias curassavica. — Asuncion; juice anthelmintic. 



Barringtonia racemosa. — Langasat; seeds a flsh intoxicant. 



Cacara erosa. — Hikama; seeds stupefy fish. 



Crinum asiaticiun. — Piga-palayi; juice used in the East Indies as antidote for 

 snake and arrow poisons, and after eating poisonous fishes. 



Cycas circinalis. — Fadan; fresh seeds poisonous. 



Erythrina indica. — Gabgab; juice of leaves anthelmintic. 



Herpetica alata. — Acapulco; leaves and flowers used as a remedy for ringworm. 



Jatropha curcas. — Tubatuba; seeds poisonous. 



Lens pliaseoloides. — Gogo; in Ceylon crushed leaves used for stupefying flsh. 



Iieucaena glauca. — Tangantangan; when eaten by animals causes hair to fall out, 



Manihot manihot. — Mandiuka; fresh root contains prusslc acid. 



Uelia azedarach.. — Paraiso; anthelmintic and insecticide. 



Pancratium littorale. — Lirio; juice of bulb poisonous. 



Pangiiun edule. — Eauel; seeds poisonous when fresh. 



Polanisia icosandra. Same as Cleome riscosa. 

 Polanisia viscosa. Same as Cleome tnscosa. 



Polianthes tuberosa. Tuberose. 



Family Amaryllidaceae. 



Loc.\L names. — Azucena, Amiga de noche (Guam); Nardo, Amiga de noche 

 (Mexico). 

 Cultivated in pots and in the gardens of many of the natives. 

 Refebences: 

 Poliantlm tuberosa L. Sp. PI. 1: 316. 1753. 

 Polygonaceae. Buckwheat family. 



This family is represented in Guam by the following species and by Aiitigcmon 

 leptopus. 

 Polygoniun sp. 



A species of Polygonum called "mamaka" by the natives grow^i along the banks 

 of streams and in marshy places. It is possibly P. barbalum L. 

 Polypodium adnascens. Same as Ojclophorus adnascens. 

 Polypodium irioides. Same as Microsorium irioides. See Ferns. 

 Polypodium punctatum. Same as Microsorium irioides. See I^hTis. 

 Polyporus. See Fitngi. 

 Pomegranate. See Punica granalum 



