Ifit March 2017 bijuga Native of

fit is a medium to large with tremendous cultural importance on IGuam. It is resistant and valued for its dense, dark . Once the most important source of timber for homes and construction, it was named the territorial tree of Guam in 1969. Ifit thrives in a range of habitats from limestone forest to swamp edges, but large are not common due to development and demand for wood. Other Common Names: Bendora, Borneo , Go Nuoc, Ife-lele, Ifet ifil, Ipil, Kayu besi, Kwila, Lumpaw, Marabow, Merbau, Moluccan , Praduu thale, Tat-talum, and Vesi. Synonyms: Afzelia bijuga, Albizia bijuga, Intsia retusa, Macrolobium bijugum, Eperua decandra Family Name: Ifit flowersa. Appearance

Distinctive feature: Ifit has stalked pinnate compound leaves, typically with 2 pairs of thin leathery leaflets oppositely arranged. Leaf Ifit fruitb. Shape: Broadly ovate to obovate, oblong or subfalcate Arrangement: Alternate Type: Compound (even-pinnate) Ifit leavesb.

Flower Size: Moderately large, entire panicle may be 2.5-4 in. in diameter. Color: Petals are usually white with a red center, but may be pink or red. Flowers have distinctive green sepals. Shape: Small bell Arrangement: Flowers are clustered on branch terminals.

Flowering period: Throughout the a b Ifit seeds . Ifit seedlings . year

College of Natural & Applied Sciences USDA is an equal University of Guam | Unibetsedåt Guahan opportunity employer and provider. Habit Space requirement: 10-40 ft. Typical height: Guam’s Ifit trees Growth rate: 1-3 ft. per year References and Resources are usually 22-40 ft. high, and rarely Growth direction: Upwards exceed 80 feet. Marler, T. and J.H. Lawrence. 1994. Ifit: Fertilizer: For calcium-deficient soils Intsia bijuga, the Territorial Tree of Fruit (usually more acidic, < pH5), add Guam. College of Agriculture and Type: Dehiscent dry fruit (legume/pod) dolomite or calcium sulfate. If the soil Life Sciences, University of Guam. Size: Each 3-12 in. oblong pod needs more phosphorus, add super- 2 p. phosphate or rock phosphate for contains up to 8 flat seeds. Raulerson, L. and A. Rinehart. optimum yield. Color: Light to dark brown when 1991. Trees and Shrubs of the mature. Pruning: Regular thinning is Northern Mariana Islands. Coastal recommended to eliminate knots Resources Management, Office of Number of seeds: 1-8 seeds per pod and crooked stems. When the tree is the Governor, CNMI. 120p. Edible: Seeds may be eaten after between 8-20 years old, pruning should Stone, B.C. 1970. The Flora of Guam. careful preparation. They are be done after thinning to produce Micronesica, Vol. 6. University of traditionally soaked in salt water for 3-4 longer clear boles. It prunes naturally in Guam. 657p. days before boiling. closer spaces and branches out more in wider spaces. Vogt, S.R. and L.L. Williams. 2004. Common Flora and Fauna of the Growing Your Own Mariana Islands. 158p. Risks http://www.fao.org/docrep/005/ac775e/ PROPAGATION AC775E04.htm Form: Seeds, seedlings, and bareroot Near surface roots: Ifit has a deep http://www.guampedia.com/guam- Seed collection: Pods and seeds root system. trees-ifit/ may be collected from the tree or the Limb breakage: Low https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/ ground. Seeds may be stored for years. Special considerations: None pg_inbi.pdf Seed treatment: To speed www.binhi.ph/database germination, nick or file seed coat www.guamlegislature.com opposite the hilum (scar) and soak for Pests: Psyllid, Insnesia glabrascuta, 12-24 hours. feeds on new leaves, stems, and www.tropical.theferns.info flowers. Severe infestations may www.worldagroforestry.org Germination time: Clipped and prevent flowering. soaked seeds usually emerge within 6 days. Untreated seeds may not emerge Photo Credits for weeks. How to Use This Plant a. Forestry & Soil Resources Division, Planting depth: Plant seeds about 1 Guam Department of Agriculture in. deep with hilum pointing downward. Ifit was once widely used for homes and furniture on Guam, and large trees b. Christine Bucayu-Laurent Pre-planting: Average seedling have been over-harvested. Today, Ifit height is 10-16 in. for outplanting. The is prized by carvers and is used for seedling should have a woody base of Contributors furniture and tools as well. about 0.5 in. diameter. Christine Bucayu-Laurent, James R. Agroforestry: Coastal protection, Special hints: Ifit has very long Hollyer, Adrienne Loerzel, and Ilene windbreak, coastal soil stabilization, tap root system. When potting, use Iriarte. ornamental, living fence, and nitrogen- sterilized garden soil and larger plastic fixing. bag and place under shade until robust Acknowledgements Wildlife: Bird nesting, host for enough to be outplanted. Special thanks to John “Bart” Lawrence epiphytes and native lizard species Pollinators: Beetles, flies, and bees. for his valuable contribution in the Medicinal: The bark is used to treat completion of this factsheet. urinary conditions, rheumatism, Production Conditions dysentery and diarrhea. An infusion of the bark is also given to women after Notes pH value: Neutral or has alkaline delivery. This publication is an update of: acidity (6.1 – 7.4+) Other uses: The bark is used to Iriarte, Ilene. 2006. Ifit. Guam Water: Moderate make dyes and tannins, while seed oil Department of Agriculture. 2pp. produces an insect repellent. Salt tolerance: High Wind tolerance: High For Further Information Soil characteristics: Light, medium, Forestry & Soil Resources Division and heavy soils Guam Department of Agriculture Phone: (671) 735-3949/51 Light: Full sun, shade tolerant as well Fax: (671) 734-0111 163 Dairy Rd, Mangilao, Guam 96913 http://forestry.guam.gov/http://forestry. guam.gov/