RESEARCH INFORMATION SERIES ON ECOSYSTEMS Volume 20 No. 2 May – August 2008 Bonliw and Laneteng Gubat Compiled and Researched by Maria DP. Dayan Rosalinda S. Reaviles and Dolora B. Bandian FOREWORD In this issue of RISE, we are featuring two indigenous forest tree species which are bountiful in relatively cooler parts of Laguna. Bonliw (Polyscias florosa), is a relative of malapapaya (P. nodosa) and can be mistaken for the species. Technically, the species is rare because based on current observations, the species was observed to grow only in Barangay Cueva in Sta. Maria, Laguna and cannot be seen in areas where malapapaya is growing. Based on literature, it was seen growing in some parts of Bicol 30 years ago. Its wood is very much similar to malapapaya and can also be used in the manufacture of popsicle sticks, pallet, toothpick and in veneer making. However, fruit and leaf formation and seed structures are very much different from that of malapapaya. Laneteng gubat (Kibatalia gitingensis) is a straight-boled tree which is being used in carving and in pallet making in Paete, Laguna. Seeds of the species are dispersed by wind and with the presence of favorable conditions, they germinate and regenerate easily. Both trees have the potential as reforestation species in areas with environmental condition similar to the place where they are growing at present. Besides being resistant to pests and diseases, these species will surely outgrow exotic tree species which are commonly used in reforestation activities in the country today. LEUVINA M. TANDUG OIC-Director 2 BONLIW 1. Common name: Bonliw 2. Local names: Bonliw 3. Scientific name: Polyscias florosa Philipps 4. Family: Araliaceae 5. Description The leaves are compound, imparipinnate and crowded at the end of the branches. The leaflets are 11-15 oblong and measures 22 x 8 cm. It has 10-12 pedicels stalk which are umbrella-like and measures 60-65 cm long bearing 8-10 secondary stalks where 6-10 tertiary pedicels are attached. The tree produces 1-10 pedicellate flowers which produces 4-6 fruits. The fruits in drupe form, subglobose with measurement ranging from 10-12 x 6-9 mm. It has a very distinct perianth remnants at the apex. Immature fruits are dark green turn to grayish brown when ripe (fig. 1b). The fruit contains only one (1) seed which measures 8-9 x 6-8 mm, brown in color, round with narrow end at the base. Seedcoat is hard and opaque which is easily detached from the main seed. 6. Distribution As reported by Philipson (1978) the species is native to the Philippines particularly in Mt. Bulusan in Sorsogon, and in Mt. Malinao in Albay. Based on the current survey, natural stands of the species can be found in Brgy. Cueva, Sta. Maria, Laguna which is more than 1,000 m asl. 7. Uses The wood is very much similar to malapapaya which can be used to produce veneer, box, chopsticks, match sticks, popsicle sticks, crates and furniture materials. 8. Site requirements The species thrives well in areas with an elevation of more than 1,000 m asl. It rarely grows in montane forest with 650 m altitude. 9. Propagation: It can be propagated by seeds. 10. Seed Technology Flowering : February- April Fruiting : April-August Fruit/Seed collection : August-October 3 11. Seed extraction and processing Soak the ripe fruits in basin with tap water overnight to soften the pericarp. Macerate the softened tissue to extract the seeds. Wash the seeds thoroughly in running water to completely remove the fruit tissue. Air dry the seeds for two hours before germination. 12. Seed count: 4,500 seeds/kg 13. Seed type: Recalcitrant 14. Seed germination The seed has an epigeal type of germination. Seeds without seedcoat start to germinate two weeks after sowing in moistened paper towels. Seeds with the seedcoat intact germinate 35 days after sowing. Compared with malapapaya, the first pair of cotyledenous leaves are obovate, smooth and with a very distinct midrib and four veins originating from the base. The first two veins near the midrib are more pronounced than the other two (Fig. 1c). The first leaf is entirely smooth and ovately elliptic compared with malapapaya’s serrated leaves with distinct fine soft spines. 15. Seed storage Being a recalcitrant species, bonliw seeds, cannot be stored for a longer period of time. An initial study showed that after one week of storage at room temperature, germination rate was reduced to only 2%. 16. Seed health The seeds are highly susceptible to various species of fungi particularly Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. Application of fungicide reduced fungal infection. 17. Planting distance A 3 m x 3 m spacing is appropriate for plantation purposes. 18. Ecological status Based on the survey and seed collection activities conducted in 2006, the species is endemic only in Brgy. Cueva, Sta. Maria, Laguna although 30 years ago it can be found in Bicol areas. Stands of the species were not found in Luisiana and Cavinti, Laguna and in Lucban, Quezon which are dominated by malapapaya or Polyscias nodosa. Unlike malapapaya with no regeneration below the canopy inspite of thousands of fruits/seeds that fall on the ground, many germinants of bonliw were found and collected below the canopy. Due to its close similarity to malapapaya and based on the interview conducted, the species is now endangered because the farmers who cut trees do not know that this species exists. By merely looking at the stand, the species can be mistaken for malapapaya. 4 19. Pests and diseases No available information on pests and diseases of the species based on the observations and the literature searched were gathered. However, some microfungi were identified on seeds namely; Fusarium solani, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus and Penicillium spp. 20. References Philipson. 1978. Polyscias nodosa. Blumea (24)1. p. 170. Sosef, M.S.M. Hong, L.T. and S. Prawirohatmodjo (eds). 1998. Plant Resources of South East Asia No., 5(3) Timber trees: Lesser-known timbers. Backhuys. Leiden, the Netherlands. 859 pp. Rojo, J.P. 1999. Revised Lexicon of Philippine Trees. Forest Products Research and Development Institute, DOST, College, Laguna. 484 pp. 5 a b c d Photos taken by Mr. Gino Laforteza Figure 1. (a) Stand of Polyscias florosa ;(b), fruits and seeds, (c), germinants, and (d) wildlings 6 LANETENG GUBAT 1. Common name: Laneteng gubat 2. Local name: Laneteng gubat 3. Scientific name: Kibatalia gitingesis (Elmer) Woodson Syn K. blancoi (Rolfe) Merr. Vallaris gitingensis (Elm) Merr. Kickxia blancoi Rolfe; K. gitingensis Elmer K. alborea F. Vill., Villaris ingistifolia Merr. K. merrilli Merr. K. macregori elm. 4. Description An evergreen tree that grows to a height of 18-20 m. Laneteng gubat is a straight bole tree like malapapaya and bonliw. Its bark is mottled. Leaves are opposite, smooth, shinning ovate and pointed at both ends (Fig. 1a). Flowers are white to light green, single or in pairs (Fig. 1b). Fruit is a cylindrical follicle, dehiscent, and measures 16-18 cm x 3.5 mm (Fig. 1c). It is green and turns dark brown to black when ripe. Seeds are brown, pointed or leaked with mound of hairs. Clean seeds measure 15-25 mm x 2 mm (Fig. 1d). 6. Distribution The species is found in secondary and primary forests at low and medium latitudes in Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Batangas, Laguna, Catanduanes, Mindoro, Sibuyan Is., Guimaras, Negros and Leyte. 7. Uses The wood of the species is used for carvings in the nearby town of Pakil and in Paete, Laguna. It can also be used in pallet and furniture making and light construction. The bark contains alkaloids which have medicinal values. 8. Site requirements The species thrives well in areas of high latitude (1,000 m asl) but can also be found in primary forests at low and medium latitudes. It can survive in sandy-loam type of soil with low pH of 5.6. 8. Propagation: It can be propagated by seeds. 9. Seed Technology Flowering : May-June, October-November Fruiting : November-February, July-October Fruit/Seed collection : January-February, November-December Place of collection : Brgy. Cueva, Sta. Maria, Laguna 7 10. Method of collection Collect the fruits when dark green turns to brown-black in color or before the follicle/fruits ruptures. Use bamboo poles with scythe and then handpick the follicle/fruits. 11. Method of extraction Extract the seeds manually from the ripe follicle or dry the closed follicle to get the seeds. Remove the hairy mound of hairs before testing. 12. Seed count: 33,000 seeds/kg 13. Seed type: Intermediate 14. Seed germination The seed has an epigeal type of germination. Seeds collected from the ground start to germinate after one week of sowing in 1:1:1 ordinary garden soil (OGS), coconut coir dust, and dried humus; while seeds extracted from follicle germinate 3-4 weeks after sowing in the same potting medium. Complete germination was noted after 1 and 3 months, respectively. 15. Seed storage Seeds can be stored in bottles up to 60 days with only 35% germination. Beyond two months, seeds no longer germinate. 16. Seed health Storage fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. were found on stored seeds of the species. 17. Seed dispersal: By wind 18. Planting distance A 3 m x 3 m spacing similar to malapapaya can be applied. However, laneteng gubat is slow growing compared to malapapaya. 19. Pests and diseases In the nursery and plantation, minimal infestation of leaf sucking insect and leaf spot disease were noted. 20. References De Guzman, E.D., R.M. Umali and E.D. Sotalbo. 1986. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna: Dipterocarp and Non-dipterocarp.