Mapping of Significant Natural Resources Category: Plants (Flora)
LOCAL/INDIGENOUS NAME: Agoho Tree
Contents
I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION
A. OTHER COMMON NAME: Agoho Tree
B. SCIENTIFIC NAME: Casuarina Equisetifolia
C. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO GROWTH HABIT: Tree
D. CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO ORIGIN: Native
E. HABITAT: It grows along sandy seashores, extending inland in open sandy valleys along streams.
F. SITE COLLECTED/SIGHTED: Dumatad Elementary School Ground
G. INDICATE VISIBILITY: Visible in all barangays
H. INDICATE SEASONABILITY: Annual
II. DESCRIPTION
A. MORPHOLOGY
- FLOWER: are produced in small catkin-like inflorescences; the male flowers in simple spikes 0.7- 4 cm (0.28- 1.57 in) long, the female flowers on short peduncles.
- LEAVES: are reduced to tiny scales, six to eight in whorls encircle joints of branchlets
- FRUITING: is an oval woody structure 10-24 mm (0.39-0.94 in) long and 9-13 mm (0.35-0.51 in) in diameter.
- FRAGRANCE: No frangrance
- SPECIAL NOTES: It bears a resemblance to coniferous plants due to the production of cone-like fruits and pine- needle-like leaves.
B. COMMON USES and SCOPE OF USE:
(check which are applicable, for scope of use indicate if local, domestic, international, others)
[ ] EDIBLES (indicate if vegetable, fruit, nut, beverage crop, herbs & spices)
Remarks: _________________________________
[X] ORNAMENTALS (indicate if florist, landscape, lawn & turf plants)
Remarks: It can be ornamental if the area along the seashores or extending in valley along streams.
[X] ORNAMENTALS (indicate if florist, landscape, lawn & turf plants)
Remarks: It can be ornamental if the area along the seashores or extending in valley along streams.
[X] MEDICINAL (used as drugs, medicines) Remarks: infusion of branches used as diuretic.
- Bark used as astringent
- Used for stomach aches, diarrhea and dysentery, also used for beri- beri used for cough, ashma and diabetes
[X] INDUSTRIAL CROPS (indicate if used as oils, extractives and resins, insecticides, animal feeds) Remarks: tree makes good fuel-wood. It produces high- quality charcoal. Use for making house timber, poles and rafters.
[X] OTHER USES:
Remarks: Used for making house timber, poles and rafters used to produce paper pulp using neutral sulphate and semi-chemical processes. Used for tanning.
III. STORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE PLANT
The Agoho Tree, according to Ms. Rosine S. Valentin, was planted in 1967 by Mr. Merlo Dela Cruz from Antique, who requested permission from Lolo Ely, the owner of the parcel, so that he may build a home out of lightweight materials there with his family, where the Dumatad Elementary School is now. Farmer Merlo puts up a lot of effort. He grew Agoho trees, peanuts, and corn. For several years Merlo and his family back to his native land in Antique. The Agoho tree was get bigger and taller. Lolo Ely begged the contractor not to cut down the Agoho tree next to the classroom during the construction of the classroom building at what is now Dumatad Elementary School. According to him, Merlo's living legacy is the Agoho tree.
Agoho tree, which is 56 years old and sits in front of a grade I classroom, is still alive and well today. This tree represents Merlo's labor of love and teaches all Dumatadnons and students that the Agoho tree is a part of the school's tradition.
IV. SIGNIFICANCE
Indicate type of significance, e.g. historical, aesthetic, scientific, social, socio-political, socioeconomic, spiritual and then explain
Scientific- it inhabits the ecosystem and creates biodiversity. It provided habitat to our wildlife animals.
Aesthetic- Agoho tree is a large, evergreen tree, tall and straight, up to 20 meters high. Crown is narrowly pyramidal, resembling some of the conifers in appearance. Bark is brown and rough. Branchlets are very slender, about 20 centimeters long, mostly deciduous, composed of many joints.
History- Agoho tree is one of the oldest trees found in Dumatad Elementary School.
Scientific- some parts of Agoho tree is used for medicinal purposes, traditionally treatment for nervous disorders, acne, throat infections, stomach ulcer, constipation, cough, diabetes, diarrhea and dysentery.
V. CONSERVATION
A. STATUS: (Indicate if the plant is critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, other threatened species)
B. CONSTRAINTS/THREATS/ISSUES:
Threat to endangered species, displaces native beach vegetation that provide critical wildlife habitat.
Climate change and severe weather events temperature, drought, and lightning strikes.
C. CONSERVATION MEASURES: (Describe the conservation measures taken at the level of the community, provincial and/or national)
The Dumandatad Elementary School Community is still manage, preserve and conserve the Agoho tree by means of propagating and planting seedlings beside the perimeter fence of school ground not just for beautification but for the heavy rains causes of landslides and strong winds brought by the typhoon.
VI. REFERENCES
KEY IMFORMANTS: MS. ROSINE S. VALENTIN MRS. MEINDA V. TEMPLO Dumatad, Tangalan, Aklan
REFERENCE/S AND OTHER SOURCES: INTERVIEW
NAME OF PROFILER/ MAPPER: JAYPEE P. ALAYON Teacher III Dumatad Elementary School
LANGUAGE EDITOR: DIONADITH GAY H. ISTURIS Teacher III Numancia Integrated School
LAY OUT ARTIST: JOEBEN A. DUMARAN Teacher I Ondoy National High Ibajay West District
CONTENT VALIDATOR: JOSEPHINE P. VICENTE Teacher III Regional Science High School for Region VI
DENNIS E. BONTOGON Master Teacher III Kalibo Pilot Elementary School
APPROVED: RUBY AGNES B. ESTRADA, PhD Education Program Supervisor
DATE PROFILED: June 26, 2023
