14 PHILIPPINE BAMBOOS 



cies of Philippine bamboos by the fact that it grows in large 

 clumps, the basal portions of which are surrounded to a height 

 of from 2 to 3 meters by a densely interlaced thicket of very 

 spiny branches, which make access to the culms exceedingly 

 difficult. The function of these spiny branches, apparently, is 

 to protect the delicate young shoots from herbivorous animals. 

 This species is illustrated in Plates V to VII. 



The splints from green stems of this species are used exten- 

 sively in the manufacture of baskets and hats, it being the 

 most valuable species for hatmaking. It also has some com- 

 mercial possibilities for paper pulp. The basal portions of the 

 culms have been used as heads for polo mallets and for shuttles 

 on hand looms. 



Distributed in southern China, Indo-China, Malay Peninsula, 

 and Malay Archipelago. 



BAMBUSA VULGARIS Schrad. Kawayan-kiling. 



Common names: kawayan-kiling, kawayan bayugin, kawayan hobero, 

 taiwandk, teivandk (Tagalog) ; bulinaa, burirau, lunas, sinambdng (Bi- 

 saya) ; kaboloan (Bikol). 



This is a clump-forming spineless bamboo, which reaches a 

 height of about 17 meters or more and a diameter of about 12 

 centimeters. The stems are smooth, usually yellowish or yel- 

 lowish-green. It is usually smaller than Bambusa spinosa and 

 has thinner walls. This species is illustrated in Plates VIII 

 to X. 



Kawayan-kiling is one of the building bamboos and is gen- 

 erally utilized in the regions where it grows for the various 

 purposes, such as house construction, bridges, furniture, for 

 which the coarse erect bamboos are adapted. It is much inferior 

 to Bambusa spinosa. Like the spiny bamboo, it is probably not 

 a native of the Philippines, but was purposely introduced in 

 prehistoric times on account of its general utility. The variety 

 striata Gamble is occasionally cultivated in Manila and in other 

 large towns for ornamental purposes ; it is readily distinguished 

 by its culms being bright yellow with a few green stripes. This 

 form is a native of China or Japan, but is now widely distributed 

 in cultivation. 



The native country of Bambusa vulgaris is so far unknown; 

 it is cultivated and half wild in Asia, Africa, and America. 



Genus CEPHALOSTACH YUM Munro 

 CEPHALOSTACHYUM MINDORENSE Gamble. Bakto. 



This species is rare and known only from Mindoro. It is a 

 climbing species well characterized by having its flowers in 



