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Common Name: Balete
Scientific Name: Ficus elastic
Balete (pronounced bah-le-te) is an awesome tree belonging to the so-called ficus family. It comes in a number of types or genera, such as Ficus Benjamina, Ficus Microcarpa, Ficus Rotondifulia, Ficus Retusa, Ficus Philippinensis, etc. . Some are wild, others domesticated. It is the wild type (e.g., balete) that is interesting, at least to me.
Some people don't like wild balete. I do. They say it is host to a variety of spirits and demon-like creatures (dili ingon nato, so say the Visayans, meaning "things not like us"). In it live mystical creatures, or maligno, according to Filipinos, like kapre,dwende, and tikbalang. Are these the reasons for our grades?? Hahaha I hope these mystical creatures help us to graduate “ON” time or “IN” time.
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Common Name: Cactus
Scientific Name: Cactaceae
Cacti are succulent plants that live in dry areas (xeric environments). They can survive long periods of drought (a lack of water). Just like UP students who can survive all the “challenges” in UP.
Cacti have many adaptations that allow them to live in dry areas; these adaptations let the plant collect water efficiently, store it for long periods of time, and conserve it (minimizing water loss from evaporation).
Cacti have a thick, hard-walled, succulent stem - when it rains, water is stored in the stem. The stems are photosynthetic, green, and fleshy. The inside of the stem is either spongy or hollow (depending on the cactus). A thick, waxy coating keeps the water inside the cactus from evaporating.Many cacti have very long, fibrous roots, which absorb moisture from the soil. Some, like ball cacti, have shorter, more compact roots that absorb dew water that falls off the cactus.
Instead of leaves, most cacti have spines or scales (which are modified leaves). These spines and scales do not lose water through evaporation (unlike regular leaves, which lose a lot of water). The spines protect the cactus from predators (animals that would like to eat the cactus to obtain food and/or water). Areoles are circular clusters of spines on a cactus. Flowers bud at an areole and new stems branch from an areole.
(3)
Common Name: Carabao Grass
Scientific Name: Paspalum conjugatum
A gregariously spreading stoloniferous grass. Leaves are narrow lanceolate, flat and thin, glabroous, 8 to 20 cm long, 5 to 15 mm wide. Spikes are two, terminal, slender and 6 to 12 cm long. The spikelets are imbricate, 1.2 to 1.4 mm long, pale-green, plano-convex, the empty glumes with long, soft, white marginal hairs.Grass is found in abundance in open waste places and settled areas, about towns, along trails, streams throughout the Philippines.
Considered a weed but sometimes planted as a coarse ground cover grass.
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Common Name: Gumamela
Scientific Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis Linn
About 300 species are found worldwide. Its beauty makes it one of the most widely cultivated of flowers, in brilliant huers of red, orange, or purplish-reds, with short-lived but continuing blooms.
· An erect, much-branched, glabrous shrub, 1 to 4 m high.
· Leaves: glossy green, ovate, acuminate, pointeed, coarsely-toothed, 7 to 12 cm long, alternate, stipulate.
· Flowers: solitary, axillary, very large. Outermost series of bracteoles 6, lanceolate, green, and 8 mm long or less. Calyx green, 2 cm long, lobes ovate. Petals commonly red, obovate, entire, rounded tip, and imbricate. Stamens forming a long staminal tube enclosing the entire style of the pistil and protruding out of the corolla. Ovary 5-celled, styles 5, fused below.
· Fruits: capsules, loculicidally 5-valved, but rarely formed in cultivation
Ornamental cultivation throughout the whole country.
Cuttings used for propagation.
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Common Name: Guyabano
Scientific Name: Annona muricata Linnaeus
Guyabano is a fruit tree cultivated throughout the Philippines. It is abundant on Mt. Banahaw. The fruit The Guyabano fruit is an excellent source of vitamin B and C, and is known to have pectoral and febrifuge properties. Guyabano is a small, upright evergreen tree, 5-6 m high, with large, glossy, dark green leaves. It produces a large, heart-shaped, edible fruit that is 15-23 cm in diameter, is yellow-green in color, and has white flesh inside. Guyabano is indigenous to most of the warmest tropical areas in South and North America, including the Amazon and Asia. The fruit is sold in local markets in the tropics, where it is called guanabana in Spanish-speaking countries and graviola in Brazil. The fruit pulp is excellent for making drinks and sherbets and, though slightly sour-acid, can be eaten out of hand.
All parts of the Guyabano tree are used in natural medicine in the tropics, including the bark, leaves, roots, fruit, and fruit seeds. Different properties and uses are attributed to the different parts of the tree. Generally, the fruit and fruit juice are taken for worms and parasites, to cool fevers, as a lactagogue (to increase mother's milk after childbirth), and as an astringent for diarrhea and dysentery. The crushed seeds are used as a vermifuge and anthelmintic against internal and external parasites, head lice, and worms. The bark, leaves, and roots are considered sedative, antispasmodic, hypotensive, and nervine, and a tea is made for various disorders toward those effects
(6)
Common Name: ipil-ipil
Scientific Name: Leucaena leucocephala
Small plant up to 8 m high; leaves alternate, twice compound, 15-25 cm, base of petiole enlarged; leaflets 9 to 18 pairs, 7 to 12 mm long, linear-oblong, unequilateral; flowering stalks axillary, 3.5 to 5 cm long; flowers in dense globule heads 2 to 3 cm in diameter, white; fruit a pod, strap-shaped, flattened, 12 to 18 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide, papery, green turning brown and splits open along two edges when mature, several fruits develop from each flower head; seeds obovate, 5 to 8 mm long, 3 to 5 mm wide, shiny, brown
(7)
Common Name:Kalumpang
Scientific Name: Sterculia foetida
(a.k.a EBAK Tree)
Sterculia is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It was previously placed in the now obsolete Sterculiaceae. Members of the genus are colloquially known astropical chestnuts. The scientific name is taken from Sterculius of Roman mythology, who was the god of manure; this is in reference to the unpleasant aroma of the flowers of this genus (e.g.,Sterculia foetida).
Sterculia species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the leaf-miner Bucculatrix xenaula, which feeds exclusively on the genus. Gum karaya is extracted from Sterculia species, and is used as a thickener and emulsifier in foods, as a laxative, and as a denture adhesive.
(8)
Common Name: Kantutay
Scientific Name: Lantana camara Linn.
Lantana camara is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to the American tropics.It has been introduced into other parts of the world as an ornamental plant and is considered aninvasive species in many tropical and sub-tropical areas.[5]
L. camara is sometimes known as "Red (Yellow, Wild) Sage", despite its classification in a separate family from sage (Lamiaceae), and a different order from sagebrush (Asterales).
(9)
Common Name: makahiya
Scientific Name: Mimosa pudica
The 'sensitive plant', Mimosa pudica, also known as 'humble plant', or 'touch-me-not', is a source of fascination to adults and children alike. When you gently touch the narrow fern-like leaflets they almost instantaneously fold together and the leaf stalk droops. This sometimes sets off a chain reaction, with several leaf stalks falling on top of one another, causing the collapse of a whole section of foliage, or perhaps the whole plant. When left to its own devices, the plant gradually returns to normal, this taking up to about half an hour. This touch-induced movement of leaves is known scientifically as thigmonasty, and is thought to be a defensive mechanism against grazers. At night, the leaves will also fold and bend in movements known asnyctonastic movements (reaction to absence of light).
Similar to the situation with the Venus fly trap, some authorities say that it may be unwise to stimulate the plant too often, as it appears that some specimens react less quickly, and therefore less efficiently under such circumstances. The scientific name of 'Sensitive Plant', Mimosa pudica is derived from the Greek, Mimosa meaning 'a mimic' which alludes to the sensitivity of the leaves; and the Latin pudica, meaning bashful, retiring or shrinking.
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Common Name: Paco
Scientific Name: Diplazium esculentum
Vegetable fern (Diplazium esculentum) is an edible fern found throughout Asia and Oceania. It is probably the most commonly consumed fern. The young fronds are stir-fried as a "vegetable" or used in salads. It is known as paco in the Philippines, and linguda in northern India, referring to the curled fronds. They may have mild amounts of fern toxins but no major toxic effects are recorded. D. esculentum is sometimes grown as a house plant.
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Common Name: Pansit-pansitan
Scientific Name: Peperomia pellucid
An annual herb, shallow rooted, may reach 40 cm high, with succulent stems. Leaves are alternate, heart-shaped and turgid, as transparent and smooth as candle wax. Tiny dotlike flowers scattered along solitary and leaf-opposed stalk (spike); naked; maturing gradually from the base to the tip; turning brown when ripe. Propagation by seeds. Numerous tiny seeds drop off when mature and grow easily in clumps and groups in damp areas.
An annual herb, favoring shady, damp and loose soil.
Often grows in groups in nooks in the garden and yard.
Conspicious in rocky parts of canals.
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Common Name: Pasaw
Scientific Name: Corchorus olitorius L.
While perhaps better known as a fiber crop, jute is also a medicinal "vegetable", eaten from Tanganyika to Egypt. Dried leaves were given me by an Egyptian friend who had brought them with him to this country. They are used in soups under the Arabic name "Molukhyia." In India the leaves and tender shoots are eaten. The dried material is there known as "nalita." Injections of olitoriside markedly improve cardiac insufficiencies and have no cumulative attributes; hence, it can serve as a substitute for strophanthin.
Annual, much-branched herb 90-120 cm tall; stems glabrous. Leaves 6-10 cm long, 3.5-5 cm broad, elliptic-lanceolate, apically acute or acuminate, glabrous, serrate, the lower serratures on each side prolonged into a filiform appendage over 6 mm long, rounded at the base, 3-5 nerved; petioles 2-2.5 cm long, slightly pubescent, especially towards the apex; atipules subulate, 6-10 mm long. Flowers pale yellow; bracts lanceolate; peduncle shorter than the petiole; pedicles 1-3, very short. Sepals ca 3 mm long, oblong, apiculate. Petals 5 mm long, oblong spathulate. Style short; stigma microscopically papillose. Capsules 3-6.5 cm long, linear, cylindric erect, beaked, glabrous, 10-ribbed, 5-valved; valves with transverse partitions between the seeds.
(13)
Common Name: Periwinkle
Scientific Name: Littorina littorea
The Common Periwinkle (Minor) is generally described as a perennial vine or forb/herb. Its most active growth period in the spring and summer . The Common Periwinkle (Minor) has dark green foliage and inconspicuous blue flowers, with conspicuous fruits or seeds. Leaves are retained year to year. The Common Periwinkle (Minor) has a long life span relative to most other plant species and a moderate growth rate.
The Common Periwinkle (Minor) is easily found in nurseries, garden stores and other plant dealers and distributors. It can be propagated by bare root, container. Note that cold stratification is not required for seed germination and the plant cannot survive exposure to temperatures below -33°F. has medium tolerance to drought and restricted water conditions.
(14)
Common Name: Saging
Scientific Name: Musa paradisiaca L.
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruitthey produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red. Almost all modern edible parthenocarpic bananas come from the two wild species – Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. The scientific names of bananas are Musa acuminata,Musa balbisiana or hybrids Musa acuminata × balbisiana, depending on their genomic constitution. The old scientific names Musa sapientum and Musa paradisiaca are no longer used.
Banana is also used to describe Enset and Fe'i bananas, neither of which belong to the aforementioned species. Enset bananas belong to the genus Ensete while the taxonomy of Fe'i-type cultivars is uncertain. In popular culture and commerce, "banana" usually refers to soft, sweet "dessert" bananas. By contrast, Musa cultivars with firmer, starchier fruit are called plantains or "cooking bananas". The distinction is purely arbitrary and the terms 'plantain' and 'banana' are sometimes interchangeable depending on their usage.
They are native to tropical South and Southeast Asia, and are likely to have been first domesticated in Papua New Guinea Today, they are cultivated throughout the tropics.They are grown in at least 107 countries,[primarily for their fruit, and to a lesser extent to make fiber, banana wine and as ornamental plants.
(15)
Common Name: Santan
Scientific Name: Ixora coccinea Linn
A shrub; native of western India and Sri Lanka; widely dispersed to other tropical countries including the W African region.The shrub is ornamental, usually with red flowers crowded in terminal racemes, but many varieties and cultivars with yellow or pink.
Ornamental plant is an erect and smooth shrub, growing to a height of 2 to 3 meters. Leaves are stalkless or on very short stalks, oblong, 5 to 9 cm long, heart-shaped or round at the base and blunt at the tip. Flowers are many, pink or red, and borne in terminal, stalkless or shortly stalked hairy cymes. Corolla tube is slender, 2.5 cm long; lobes are spreadiing and oblong, about half the length of the tube. Fruit is reddish, almost round, about 5 mm diameter.
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Common Name: Sapin-sapin
Scientific Name: Blechum pyramidatum
Sapin-sapin is an erect or ascending herb. Stems are often prostrate and rooting below, about 20 to 50 cm long and sparingly hairy or nearly smooth. Leaves are thin, ovate, 5 to 10 cm long, entire as to margin or nearly so, pointed at the tip, and widened at the base. Flowers are small, white, and borne in spikelike, terminal inflorescences, occurring mostly in pairs, each pair subtended by a leaflike, ovate, persistent, 1- to 1.5 cm long bract and two smaller brancteoles. Calyx is 4 to 5 mm long, hairy, and divided into 5 linear lobes. Corolla is tubular, hairy, slightly curved, about 1.3 cm long, and slightly exserted from the bracts. Capsule is ovoid, somewhat compressed and about 6 mm long.
Common in waste places, in open thickets, on and about old walls, in and around towns at low altitudes throughout the Philippines.
Introduced from Mexico.
(17)
Common Name: Snake plant
Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata
The snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata), also called mother in law’s tongue, has thick, leathery leaves that stand two to four feet tall. It is native to Brazil and Africa, but is also a popular outdoor plant in many southern U.S. states. It’s most popular use is as an indoor, decorative plant. Its leaves are variegated with light-colored blotches, and are often bordered with a yellow trim. Can be neglected for extended periods without any adverse effects. It thrives in sun or shade, but should not be kept in an environment below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Removes contaminants from air and produces large amounts of oxygen.
(18)
Common Name: Zigzag plant
Scientific Name: Pedilanthus tithymaloides
Ornamental shrub with thick, succulent zigzag stems.
The red flowers are slipper-shaped, up to 1cm long and clustered towards the top of the stems.
The leaves are large, thick, alternate, elliptic in shape, up to 6cm long and wide, pointed at the tip and rounded at the base, falling readily from the stems, making the plant appear almost leafless. The sap is a skin irritant. Ingestion can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Eye contact with sap is likely to cause pain and redness.
(19)
Common Name:Bougainvillea
Scientific Name: Bougainvillea glabra
Paper Flower (Bougainvillea glabra), also known as lesser bougainvillea, is the most common species used for bonsai. It has shiny green, slightly hairy leaves and magenta coloredbracts. Bougainvillea, a native of Brazil is an evergreen, climbing woody vine. Tiny white flowers usually appear in clusters surrounded by colorful papery bracts, hence the name paper flower. Single and double flower forms are available. The woody trunk tends to be twisted and the thin stem have sharp thorns and dark green leaves. Bougainvilleas can be easily grown as a hedge, an arch or a tree on the ground and in pots. Bougainvilleas available in a variety of species, is ideal for bonsai.
