Selected Indigenous Plants

from Southern Tagalog

Region of the Philippines

Fredric M. Odejar, Ryan Rodrigo P. Tayobong, Maria Charito E. Balladares, Fernando C. Sanchez, Jr., Norma G. Medina and Bryan V. Apacionado

Crop Science Cluster, College of Agriculture , University of the Philippines Los Baños Laguna

INDIGENOUS PLANTS

plants growing naturally in a location

but can be found elsewhere

adapted to the geography,

hydrology, and climate of the area

IN THE PHILIPPINES..

The Philippines is home to a very rich

variety of flora with potential economic

usage but are underutilized.

Many of these plants are still in the wild,

not knowing the possible use, others

may have been domesticated but mass

production is neglected.

Southern Tagalog Region

of the Philippines

Southern Tagalog Region

of the Philippines Largest Region

in terms of land area (4,626,490 m2)and population (15,354,474)

0 10 20

NCR

CAR

Ilocos

Cagayan

Central Luzon

Southern Luzon

Bicol

Western Visayas

Central Visayas

Eastern Visayas

Zamboanga

Northern Mindanao

Davao

SOCCSKSARGEN

Caraga

ARMM

Population

Total Land Area

Southern Tagalog Region

of the Philippines

Varies in landforms Rich in flora and fauna species

29%

71%

Area

Others

Forest

Benefits of

Indigenous plants

Can be utilized as:

Source of food

Products for health and wellness

Natural preservatives, aroma, and

colors

Raw materials for non-food

products

Most indigenous plants

are underutilized…

Plants in the wild are threatened by

human activities or by the effects of

global warming.

Limited market for fresh and

processed products

Limited knowledge on their possible

uses, method of propagation,

production and processing practices

UTILIZATION AND

PROMOTION OF

INDIGENOUS PLANTS

Research on other possible form of

utilization (increase economic value)

Form of conservation of indigenous

species

Commercialization of these plants can

create new sources of livelihood

List of Collected PlantsScientific Name Common Name

Abelmoschus manihot Lagikway

Ardisia eliptica Tagpo

Begonia sp. Begonia

Canna indica Canna/Tikas

Eleocharis dulcis Apulid

Ficus pseudopalma Niyog-niyogan

Momordicacochinchinensis

Gac/ Balbasbakiro

Passiflora foetida Prutas Baguio

Pongamia pinnata Bani

Talinum fruticosum TalinumTithonia diversifolia Wild Sunflower

Tagpo (Ardisia elliptica)MORPHOLOGY An evergreen shrub that can grow to a height of 5-6m Leaves are alternate with an elliptical shape. Flowers are star-like clustered at the base of the upper

leaves.

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Batangas and Marinduque

Potential UsesCan be used as an ornamental shrubProduces edible berriesPlant parts can be used to prepare

traditional medicines

Bani (Pongamia pinnata)MORPHOLOGY Smooth tree growing to a height of 8 to 25 meters. Leaves are compound and flowers have purplish-pink

color Pods are woody, smooth, and oblong with a single seed

DISTRIBUTIONQuezon, along seashore of Laguna

Potential UsesPlant parts are used as traditional

medicinePossible source of bio-fuel

https://ny.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pongamia_pinnata

Begonia (Begonia sp.)MORPHOLOGY Terrestrial herbs Leaves are simple and alternatingMostly monoecious

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Palawan, Mindoro, Quezon

Potential UsesIn the Philippines, widely cultivated

for its ornamental foliage; andSome varieties have edible leaves or

flowers

Prutas Baguio (Passiflora foetida)MORPHOLOGY Herbaceous vine with slender and rounded stems,

covered with prominent villous hairs Leaves are ovate to oblong-ovate Flowers are solitary with white to pinkish coloration Fruits are dry, inflated ovoid shape

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Marinduque, Rizal

Potential UsesSweetish pulp is edible when ripePlant part are used for traditional

medicine

Wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)MORPHOLOGY is a robust herbaceous and bushy perennial shrub Leaves are greyish green, alternate, petioled, ovate to

orbicular, Flower heads are yellow, large and daisy-like Petals are bright yellow

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Batangas, Quezon

Potential UsesFodderFuel (firewood)Traditional medicinesPesticides

Apulid (Eleocharis dulcis)MORPHOLOGY is a grass-like sedge that is native to Asian countries

including the Philippines It has upright tubular stems produces edible corms

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Marinduque, Rizal, Palawan

Potential UsesCorms are brown with white flesh that

can be eaten raw, boiled, grilled and evenpickled

Talinum (Talinum fruticosum)MORPHOLOGY A fleshy, erect perennial herb Leaves are obovate or spatulate and spirally

arranged

DISTRIBUTIONCavite, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque and

Mindoro

Potential UsesCan be eaten as vegetable salad, stir-fried

greens, sinigang and fried rice.Animal feed pellets

Niyog niyogan (Ficus pseudopalma)MORPHOLOGY It is erect, glabrous, and unbranched Leaves are lanceolate that can grow up to 30in long. Fruits occur in pairs

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Palawan, Mindoro, Quezon

Potential UsesUsed as an ornamental plantYoung shoots are edibleGintaan, noodles

Lagikway (Abelmoschus manihot)MORPHOLOGY Is a fast growing, perennial shrub Leaf shape is inconsistent but generally maintains a

maple-like shape.

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Rizal, Quezon, Mindoro,

Marinduque, Palawan

Potential UsesStarchy substance are used for

making traditional paperIn the Philippines, young leaves are

eaten and used as young shoots

Balbas bakiro (Momordica cochinchinensis)MORPHOLOGY Leaves are alternate with three to five deep lobes. Flowers are pale yellow and solitary in the axils of the

leaves. Large fruits are oblong to round in shape

DISTRIBUTIONCavite, Laguna, Batangas, Marinduque and

Mindoro

Potential UsesIt is used as a natural food colorantContains essential oilsCan be cooked or processed as juice

Balbas bakiro (Momordica cochinchinensis)Nutrition (air dried aril) Lycopene 357.03±17.76 µg/g Β-carotene 110.12±22.84 µg/g Vitamin C 1.25 ± 0.25 %

Removal of fresh aril from the seeds of Balbas bakiro

Canna (Canna indica)MORPHOLOGY Canna is a mesophyte colonial terrestrial plant It produces underground sympodial rhizomes, 7-11

sheathing leaves that are light green in color fruit capsules with dark seeds at maturity.

DISTRIBUTIONLaguna, Batangas, Rizal, Palawan, Quezon

Potential UsesProduces edible rhizomesBurned stem and leaves can be used as

pesticidesCan be used for waste water treatment.

Canna (Canna indica)Processing

Harvested Canna rhizomes were washed, peeled and cut into small pieces beforesoaking in 0.5% sodium metabisulfite to minimize browning. Samples were thendried for 24 hours in an oven at 50º C.

Dried samples were ground using a blender and passed through a 20-mesh sieveto obtain uniformly sized particles.

Canna (Canna indica)Processing

Processed Canna flour

Ingredients in making Arrowroot cookies were used for making Canna cookies

Ingredients Amount for

25% substitution

All-purpose flour 97.5g

Canna flour 32.5

Baking Powder 1 tsp

Egg 1 whole

Butter, softened 1/3 cup

White sugar 1/3 cup

Summary

There are many underutilized

indigenous plants with potential

economic uses

Despite their potential uses they remain

underutilized due to lack of awareness

and limited information.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Department of Agriculture –

Bureau of Agricultural

Research (DA-BAR)

THANK YOU!

MARAMING SALAMAT PO!