
The species is named
Nearly all lines in this poem are lifted from the translated Flora de Filipinas, a botanical guide to Filipino native flora published in several editions from 1837 to 1883. The Flora was written by Fr. Manuel Blanco, an Augustinian priest and botanist. All in all, the books contain information on over a thousand plants, each accompanied by meticulously illustrated watercolour plates. Scholars have hailed The Flora “the queen of Philippine books” and “the crowning glory of Philippine art and science in the colonial era.”
after its fragrance. The shrub is native to the islands even though it does not
bear a proper name, thus letting everyone name it whatever they desire. The indios then
convert them quickly into rosary beads.
Deer voraciously feast on its leaves. Its roots prove
efficacious when boiled or administered to those suffering. It is used in some places
for illumination, although not very bright. The seeds infused in wine cause
grogginess and numbness such that one becomes insensitive to blows. This herb calms all
hysterical attacks and restores memory. The male flowers are turned
into sweets. The incised mature stems’
juices cause hallucinations. This is a plant with white flowers that the indios do not
know. When not climbing, this plant creeps easily on
land. It is called such because of its
malodorous scent and the dirty name given to it. The indios have
named this plant as if a tear of milk had dropped on it from the Blessed Virgin. The flowers
open exactly at one o’clock in the afternoon. When
placed under a pillow it induces sleep. The hulls of galleons were fashioned from this lumber for its
quality of repelling bullets of any metal.
Rubbing hands with the small tree’s bark enables one to handle any
snakes, spiders, or scorpions without risk.
Termites cannot penetrate its wood. One has lost an eye simply
upon touching it. The indios, who wander as
vagabonds in the forests and abhor
work, sate themselves with this miserable food. Its dark-skinned
exterior bark is somewhat rough. The natives are addicted to anything sweet.
Young children eat its raw seeds while still tender. In certain dishes it imparts agreeable
zest.