Palaquium philippense

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

Palaquium philippense
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Ericales
Family: Sapotaceae
Genus: Palaquium
Species:
P. philippense
Binomial name
Palaquium philippense
(Perr.) C.B.Rob.

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 southern 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.

References
  1. World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Palaquium philippense". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 1998: e.T33335A9777642. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33335A9777642.en. Retrieved 16 December 2017.


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