70 MINOR PRODUCTS OF PHILIPPINE FORESTS 



Family SAPOTACEAE 



Genus PALAQUIUM 

 PALAQUIUM spp. 



The Philippine species which yield gutta-percha are described 

 In the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



Gutta-percha is official in many pharmacopoeias. 



Family LOGANIACEAE 



Genus STRYCHNOS 



STRYCHNOS IGNATII Berg. (Fig. I). St. IGNATIUS Bean. 



Local names: Igasod or igasud (Samar, Leyte, Surigao) ; kabalonga, 

 leite, San Ignacio (Surigao). • 



The seeds are official in the British, Mexican, and Spanish 

 Pharmacopoeias. They are a source of strychnine. The de- 

 mand for Saint Ignatius beans is small and the supply irregular. 

 If there were a greater demand, they could probably be collected 

 in considerable quantities. 



Strychnos ignatii is a large, woody, forest vine. The leaves 

 are opposite, oval, pointed at the tip, pointed or somewhat 

 rounded at the base, prominently three-veined, and 8 to 20 cen- 

 timeters in length. The fruit is rounded, pale yellowish and 

 brown, and 10 centimeters or more in diameter. It contains a 

 number of seeds, which are embedded in a soft pulp, having a 

 squash-like odor. The fresh seeds are greenish straw-color, with 

 a somewhat satin-like appearance. 



, This species has been reported from Samar, Leyte, Surigao, 

 Agusan, and Lanao. It is a native of, and is confined to the 

 Philippines. 



Family CONVOLVULACEAE 



Genus OPERCULINA 

 OPERCULINA TURPETHUM(L.) S. Manso. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on fibers. 



The roots and stems are official in the British, French, Mex- 

 ican, and Spanish Pharmacopoeias. 



Family LABIATAE 



Genus OCIMUM 

 OCIMUM BASILICUM L. Balan6i or SwEET Basil. 



A description of this species and its local names are given 

 in the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



The upper part of the plant is official in the French and 



