latia

In Spanish Colonial architecture, one of a number of light, relatively straight saplings, usually about 3 feet (1 m) long, that has been stripped of its bark and laid across log beams (vigas) of a structure, either diagonally so as to create a herringbone ceiling pattern or laid at right angles to the vigas. A matting of reeds, placed over the latias, is then covered with a layer of tamped earth, dried mud, or adobe mixed with grass, to serve as a roof.