Note 6 — Philippine Ships and Shipbuilding

The banabá (Lagerstrœmia speciosa—Pers.; Munchausia speciosa; Lagerstrœmia flos reginæ—Retz.) grows to a height of thirty to fifty feet, and varies in color from reddish white to dull red. Its flowers are red and very beautiful, and bloom in March. The tree is very common and used for many things, especially for ship and house construction, particularly the red variety. It is strong and resists the elements well. See U.S. Gazetteer and Blanco’s Flora.