Palaquium philippense

Taxobox


status = VU | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ericales
familia = Sapotaceae
genus = "Palaquium"
species = "P. philippense"
binomial = "Palaquium philippense"
binomial_authority = (Perr.) C.B.Rob.
synonyms =

"Palaquium philippense" is a species of plant in the Sapotaceae family. It is endemic to the Philippines. It is threatened by habitat loss.

ource

* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/33335/all "Palaquium philippense"] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 23 August 2007.

According to Blanco's book (1845), Palaquium Philippense, one of the tallest forest trees is also known as Palacpalac. It evolved from the Pampango term Palakpalak, a name used in reference to malakmalak. Malakmalak is a tree reaching a height of about 25 meters and a diameter of about 80 centimeters. The leaves are usually 16 centimeters or more in length. The lower surfaces are about 1.5. centimeters in length, and are borne on long stalks in small clusters. The corolla is white, the calyx brown and velvety. this species is very common and widely distributed in primary forests at low and medium altitudes from northern Luzon to sounthern Mindanao. It is cultivated at the Lamao Experimental Station.

The fruit of this species is oval, similar to chico in appearance, about 3 to 4 centimeters or more in length, with an edible pulp of good flavor, and contains a single seed. Blanco mentioned that the seeds yield limpid, odorous oil which is employed in food as an illuminant. It is also called Palaquium oleiferum Blanco, a species apparently confined to the Philippines.