Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Endemic to Philippines |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Tree to 10m tall, often with solitary spines on the trunk. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves trifoliate, oblanceolate - elliptic, terminal leaflet 6-12cm long by 3-5cm wide, lateral leaflets much smaller, 2.5 -5cm long by 1.2 2.5cm wide. |
| Flowers | Flowers white, fragrant. |
| Fruit | Mature fruits large, oblong-ovoid, to 10cm long by 6cm wide. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: In Philippines, the juice from the fruit is used in folk medicine to treat skin complaints. It is also used to help rid dogs of ticks. Others: Studies have shown that extracts from this species has anti-plasmodial properties. Essential oil extracts from this species has also been demonstrated anti-tuberculal activity (in vitro). |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
| Thematic Landscaping | Bird & Wildlife Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Trunk, Large Heavy Fruits |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils |
| Pest(s) | Chewing Insects, Sucking Insects |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Marcotting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green - Light Green |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31980 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6382 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |