Narra Tree

Category: Siginificant Immovable
District: Nabas

Background Information

A. Other Common Name: Narra Tree

B. Scientific Name: Pterocarpus Indicus

C. Classification According to Growth Habit Tree

D. Classification According to Origin: Endemic

E. Habitat: The natural habitat includes seashores, tidal creeks, and rivers, where Narra plants can grow by seeds or cuttings.

F. Site Collected/Sighted: Nabas Elementary School Ground

G. Indicate Visibility: Visible in some barangays

H. Indicate Seasonability: Perrenial

Description

Morphology

1. FLOWER: Narra wood is highly prized for its durability and reddish color. It bears a profusion of fragrant golden-yellow flowers from February to May which easily fall to the ground after being pollinated by bees.
2. LEAVES: Narra leaves contain flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants that provide health benefits to humans, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic benefits.
3. FRUITING: The Narra Tree contains small fruits covered by membranous wings (Pod) of (4-6) cm in diameter. The pod is disc-shaped which is hairy when young and later turns smooth. In the center part of the fruit, there may be one or two monocotyledonous seeds. The curious winged fruit stays on the tree for months.
4. FRAGRANCE: Narra is a graceful tree with drooping branches that toss in the trade winds. Short-lived flowers usually appear in April or May for a day or two. The tree is a shimmering mass of fragrant yellow blooms, which then fall off nearly all at once.
5. SPECIAL NOTES:

Common Uses and Scope of Use:

Ornamentals

Remarks: Narra is considered a national tree as it symbolizes the strong personalities of the Filipinos like its hard work. Its sturdy branches and huge trunk give shade to people and animals. On summer days, between early February to late May, these trees bloom and the yellow flowers scatter on the grounds where it is ornamentally planted. People admire these trees because they withstand the test of time.</p>

Medicinals

Remarks: Different parts of the Narra Tree have medicinal uses, such as the decoction of the bark used to treat boils, skin ulcers, and prickly heat. A light infusion of the leaves is also used to control fever. Root extract is used on syphilis sores.

Stories Associated With The Plant

The Narra Tree of Nabas Elementary School is enormous, reaching heights of 20 meters to 30 meters with a circumference of seven to eight meters in diameter. The trunk at its base is approximately four meters with an asymmetrical corrugated design. The Narra bears many long branches that are at first ascending, but eventually arch over and sometimes droop at the ends.

The Narra Tree is believed to be more than a hundred years old and is considered a centennial tree. It has witnessed the different milestones of Nabas Elementary School like its first operation. Nabas Elementary School was established in 1911 and celebrated its founding anniversary in April 2011. Before the school was established, the Narra tree was already a distinguishable feature of the land.

From a personal view, this writer still remembers the elementary days with this Narra tree. Pupils played under its branches during recess time, while sharing each other’s baon. Now that this mapper is already a teacher, the childhood memories with the Narra tree are still very vivid.

The tree is believed to be enchanted; thus, no one has dared to cut its branches or get the falling branches. Individuals passing by the area utter to the unseen: “tabi tabi “meaning “let us pass”. There are so many different stories associated with the Narra tree. According to some, this Narra tree is the home of kapre, elves, and a white lady. The people who had seen the entities were the former janitors of the school. Even now, stories still exist for some people who personally witnessed them. Even the neighboring people testified that the Ceres bus suddenly stopped at the closed gate of the school during evenings when somebody alighted out of nowhere.

The following are excerpts from Centennial Note of FAITH MARIE S. VILLARUEL - Head Teacher II of Toledo Elementary School:

Our Alma Mater in its’ Centennial Year like the Narra Tree is strong, vibrant, and committed to helping its’ pupils find themselves and develop their potential to the fullest.

The Narra Tree-Majestic, Massive, Overpowering Epitome of a True Firm Foundation. It grew steady, sturdy, and loyal with time. It grew as a silent witness to all the fond memories of childhood and all the changes that have been made in the threshold of Nabas Elementary School 100 years ago.

The ages have been working in this Narra Tree and man can only mar it. What you can do is keep it for your children, your children’s children, and all who come after you.

Similarly, our job as loyal stewards of Nabas Elementary School is to protect and preserve all that is very special about this place, so the future generations can experience what all of us experienced at the portals of our alma mater-a first class education where friendships are born and grow stronger every year.

Significance

Historical

The Narra tree is an icon of Nabas Elementary School that stands strong to this day. It has witnessed the school’s first operation. According to Mr. Joseph S. Pingoy, a Head Teacher at Solido Elementary School, the tree has witnessed the school’s very first operation. Mr. Pingol’s house is adjacent to the Primary Grades Building, where the Narra tree stands. His late mother frequently told him and his siblings that their great-grandfather planted the Narra tree in the school because it is a landmark of their property.

Aesthetic

People admire this tree upon entering the school. Its broad branches serve as a canopy to birds and its nest and even people resting at the benches to feel the freshness of summer afternoon. For over a century, the Narra tree has been a symbol of innumerable wondrous things and usually withstands disasters as well as other time-related consequences. Its towering, sturdy trunk and branches symbolize the magnificent ideals of its founder. Its strength signifies the community's strong and enduring persistence in its demand for quality and contemporary education. Its golden flowers signify its crown of glory.

Conservation

Status:

(Indicate if the plant is critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or other threatened species)

Constraints/Threats/Issues:

The Narra tree is too old, and the branches suddenly fall from its tree which may cause accidents.

Conservation Measures:

(Describe the conservation measures taken at the level of the community, provincial, and/or national) With the fear of something undesirable happening, the school surrounded the Narra tree with concrete fences to prohibit children from playing under it because they may be accidentally struck by its fallen branches.