karagumoy plants

Karagumoy with a scientific name Chlorophora Excelsa (also known as Pandan leaves) Grows wild on the mountain area and seacost. Karagumoy shrub is also called “screw pine” because of its pineapple-like leaves in a corkscrew pattern. It dries unevenly so it is used in irregular weaves and the uneven dyeing produces color variations.
For a long time it has supported the livelihood of people from different Barrios. It was the time when the plant was abundant. Unfortunately nowadays Karagumoy is hard to find and feared to lose its kind.

The name of the plant (karagumoy) is used by the blogger to uphold the importance of this plant at the same time encourage people to plant and continue to support its industry. This serves as a call to each and everyone of us to look back and trace what this plant have contributed to our culture and environment.

This is a friendly information and reminder from Karagumoy.

photos by Chris Allan Bandola
taken on: March 12, 2009 at Pili, Bacacay Albay