BANABA TREE
Contents
Category: Plants (Trees)
District of Makato
Background Information
A. Another Common Name: Queen`s Crape-myrtle, Queen`s Flower
B. Scientific Name: Lagerstroemia speciosa
C. Classification According to Growth Habit: Tree
D. Classification According to Origin: Native
E. Habitat: Land
F. Site Collected/Sighted: Makato Integrated School
G. Indicate Visibility:Visible in some barangays
H. Indicate Seasonability: Perennial
Morphology
- 1. Flower
- Lagerstroemia speciosa is a species of Lagerstroemia native to tropical southern Asia. It is a deciduous tree with bright pink to light purple flowers. The name "Queen's Flower" is derived from the specific epithet 'reginae' or 'flosreginae', which means "imperial or flower of the queen".
- The flowers are produced in erect panicles 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) long, each flower with six white to purple petals 2–3.5 cm (0.79–1.38 in) long. It has simple leaves with, glabrous, large, elliptic, or oblong-lanceolate.
- Flowering occurs 3–5 years after planting and the main flowering season is April–June with a second flush in July–August. The fruits ripen in November–January.
- 2. Leaves
- The leaves are simple, deciduous, oval to elliptic with stout petioles, 8–15 cm (3.1–5.9 in) long and 3–7 cm (1.2–2.8 in) broad, with an acute apex.
- Lagerstroemia speciosa leaves are utilized in the Philippines as a folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes and kidney diseases. In laboratory experiments, leaf extracts are reported to stimulate glucose uptake in a dose-dependent manner in similar ways to insulin.
- The leaves of the Banabá and other parts are used widely in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan as a tea preparation. Banabá herb is one of the 69 herbal plants promoted by the Philippine Department of Health (DOH). In Vietnam, the plant's young leaves are consumed as vegetables, and its old leaves and mature fruit are used in traditional medicine for reducing glucose in the blood. The seeds have narcotic properties.
- 4. Fruiting
- The fruits are ellipsoid or sub-globose woody capsules. They are green at first, but later turn brown and finally black. The fruits hang on to the trees. It is easily raised through seeds. It grows best on rich deep alluvial loams and prefers warm, humid, and moist soils, and can withstand water logging.
- 5. Special Notes
- Often fluted, bark creamy-brown to light grey, smooth and peeling in papery flakes; inner bark pale brown and fibrous. Simple, opposite, broadly ovate to oblong, somewhat leathery, with prominent abaxial veins. Young leaves emerge glossy red, turning pinkish and then finally green.
Common Uses and Scope of Use
- Edible
- The plant's young leaves are consumed as vegetables, and its old leaves and mature fruit are used in traditional medicine for reducing glucose in the blood.
- Ornamental
- It is also widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical areas. The leaves of the Banabá and other parts are used widely in the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan as a tea preparation.
- Medicinal
- Giant Crape Myrtle's seeds are narcotic, bark and leaves are purgative, roots are astringent, stimulant, and febrifuge (fever removal). Decoction of leaves is used in diabetes. In Manipur, its fruit is used locally applied for the apathy of the mouth.
Stories Associated with the Plant
Makato Integrated School is a school located in the heart of the municipality of Makato and is considered a central school covered with varied species of trees. These trees give shade to learners when they study and play. Parents enjoy the coolness when they visit their children and teachers find the convenience of whole days’ work and relaxation of tired eyes from their green and lofty foliage. Among these trees are the Banaba, native Indian Mango, Mabolo, Balikbikan, Talisay, acacia, mahogany and so many to mention.
The oldest tree here is a pair of Banaba trees towering 30 feet in height and giving a welcoming ambiance at the entrance gate of the school. This was planted 11 years after the school was founded in 1918.
In a conducted interview with the old folks living nearby the school, they declare that these Banaba were the first trees preferred to be planted in school because it was considered medicinal that can save them from sickness since they could not pay the doctors fee before and doctors and hospitals were rare and far to be reached during the world war.
It was in 1929 when these trees were spread on the campus during the leadership of Mr. Rufino Timtiman. Due to the construction of classrooms, these trees were cut off and only a pair of almost 90 years of age banaba at the gate exist today. The other pair is almost dying but we are trying to revive it every day. More trees abound during the time of Ms. Cresenciana Tonel in the 1970s when teachers who wanted promotion are required to plant trees in their Master of Arts in Teaching Elementary Agriculture (MATEA).
As of today, our campus pride is these trees that brought us to be awarded as Region 6 winner in most sustainable and eco-friendly school in 2015 sponsored by DENR.
Significance
Aesthetic
Parents enjoy the coolness when they visit their children and teachers find the convenience of whole days’ work and relaxation of tired eyes from their green and lofty foliage.
Scienctific
The tree serves as a medicinal plant for the community and neighboring barangays.
Social
The tree gives shade to learners when they study and play. It helps them in building their friendship and trust. It also serves as a natural and cool shade during school programs and a waiting area for learners for their daily routine in coming in and going to school. It also protects the security guards and Barangay Tanods from rain and the severe heat of the sun for they stay underneath every day.
Socioeconomic
In a conducted interview with the old folks living nearby the school, they declare that these Banaba were the first trees preferred to be planted in school because it was considered medicinal that can save them from sickness since they could not pay the doctor’s fee before and doctors and hospitals were rare and far to be reached during the world war.
Conservation
- A. Status
- The tree is vulnerable because some students who are playing nearby may harm it without noticing it.
- B. Constraints/Threats/Issues
- Some students are picking the leaves and barks of this tree that’s why the school principal decided to build a cement box to avoid them from destroying this plant.
- C. Conservation Measures
- The Makato Integrated School staff are making all the means to preserve this tree like putting cement boxes to avoid the students and other living organisms to harm this tree. The School Principal instructed the janitors to look at and monitor this tree every day.
References
- Key Informant/s
- ANA S. ANDRADA, PhD
- Principal II, Makato Integrated School
- Reference/s and Other Resources
- https://www.superbrands.ph/MONA_books/2019/MOMA2019.html#p=100
- Name of Mappers
- JAYMON E. BRUTO
- Teacher III, Quirico T. Tabanera Elementary School
- Language Editor
- ANJHIELYN MAE C. CAHILIG
- Master Teacher I, Makato Integrated School
- Layout Artist
- MA. CHRISTINE B. TEJADA
- Teacher II, Makato Integrated School
- Content Evaluator
- JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE
- Teacher III, Regional Science High School
- DENNIS E. BONTOGON
- Master Teacher III, Kalibo Pilot Elementary School
- Approved
- RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD
- Education Program Supervisor, Araling Panlipunan
- Date Profiled
- June 29, 2023
