·RISE

I
Vol. 22 NO.2
Research Information
Series on Ecosystems

May -August 2010 I

I'
Bagalunga
(Melia dubia cav.)
a multipurpose tree species
I
11
and
II
II Kalukoi (Ficus callosa Willd.)
I and Malambingan
Broussonetia luzonica (Blanco) .1.

for Boat Making I 1

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_______________ ~ ==.1Ii

ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU

. Department of Environment and Natural Resources
College 4031 , Laguna
Dir. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.
CESO III
This issue of RISE presents information on three forest tree species
which do not only have potentials for environmental restoration but also provide
livelihood opportunities for the people.

Bagalunga (Melia dubia Cav.) is an indigenous species which has diverse

uses ranging from timber production to ecological rehabilitation/protection. It is
Ms. Liberty E. Asis
also suitable for agroforestry. Trees can grow very fast, depending on the site
Ms. Marla V. Cambay condition 1., like in the Visayas where the species abounds.

Dr. Elpidio F. Rimando Kalukoi (Ficus callosa) and malabingan or malambingan (Broussonetia
Dr. Rafael T. Cadiz luzonica) are fast-growing species. Both possesshiQhlypri~6dwoodfor dug-
out canoes or boats, especially in the Visayas and Mihdan?o. Kalukoiwood is
Ms. Maria P. Dayan
light and resistanttorn~rine borer, while malambingani~ resistant to~at.f:}~.
Planting of these species is recomll)ended as a means of livelihood ror'e;Qastal
communities especially for people's organizations undertheCoa~tal 9nvironment
Program on Community-Based Forest Management PrograJT!ofth601£~R
Ms Irene O. Tenorio!
In Bohol, kalukoi timber from Surigao sells at P3,OOOa piece. It is used
Mr. Nestor S. Leviste
mainly for boat making. Kalukoi wood can be harvested when it matures at 8-10
years. This can be shortened if appropriate silvicultural techniqlies are applied.
Ms. Carmelita G. Reyes
Ms. Flora B. Palicpic We hope that theinformation in this publication will serve as a guide for
people interested in the establishment of plantation of the abovementioned tree
Mr. Liberato A. Bacod species for economic and ecological reasons.

Mr. Nestor S. Leviste

//1
i
CIAL C. AMARO, JR.
Director
 Bagalunga
(Melia dubia cav.)
a multipurpose tree species

PhQtOCOllrte$y of Dr. Eugene Bautista ofERDS Re~()n 8

 Common name: Bagalunga, China berry (English)

Table of Contents Local names: Agalunga, bagalunga (Central Visaya); bagalunga, paraiso
(Visaya.); balangago, gango, Iintana, maliba, maluggayan,
Page Page sili-sili (Tag.); bulilising (Uk.); mamabuaya (Chab.);
Bagalunga mangulingan (Lan.); pulau (Mangyan).
Common name 1 Environmental requirements 2
Local names 1 Phenology 2 Scientific name: Mefia dubia Cav.
Scientific name 1 Seed technology 3 Family: Meliaceae
Family 1 Nursery practices 3
• Description 1 Plantation establishment 3
Distribution 1 Care and maintenance 3
Uses 1 Pests and diseases 3 A fast-growing and indigenous tree reaching up to 15 m tall and 50 cm in
Habitat 2 Growth rate 4 diameter. Depending on the site condition, the tree can reach up to 30 m in
References 4
total height and 110 cm in dic;meter. The bole is irregular. Its crown is open,
while the bark is dark gray, smooth when young, and b~come fissured when
Kalukoi
6 mature. Leaves are deciduous and dark green. Twigs are green and smooth.
Common name 6 Uses
6 Habitat 6 Flowers are in clusters. The petals are hairy, white, numerous and fragrant.
Local name
Scientific name 6 Environmental requirements 7 The mature fruit has a hard endocarp, yellow in color, in capsule which
Family 6 Phenology 7 contains two to five seeds. .
Description 6 Seed collection & germination 7
Distribution 6 Growth rate 7

Malabingan, malambingan China berry tree grows throughout tropical Asia, Africa and Australia, and
Common name 9 Habitat 10 widely distributed in the Philippines. It is indigenous to Eastern Visayas
Local name 9 Environmental requirements 10 Cebu, Negros Provinces in Central Visayas and Eastern Mindanao where it
Scientific name 9 Propagation 10 is now being cultivated.
Family 9 Seed collection 10
Description 9 Germination 11
Distribution 10 Plantation establishment and
Uses 10 growth rate 11
• Wood
References 11
For timber production, wall board, wall panelling, door panel, furniture,
farm implements, jalousies, flooring, boxes and crates, house
construction, turnery, dug-out canoes, decorative veneers, and firewood .

• Ecological rehabilitation/protection
Soil fertility improves because of its high biomass. It regenerates easily
and protects watershed areas because of its tendency to grow densely.
• Agroforestry
It is planted as a component of the home garden and shade for abaca
plantation.
• Medicinal
Bark can cure skin diseases and open wounds. Leaves when boiled can
cure stomach ache. Fruit is an anthelmintic and serves as remedy for
colic.
• Insecticidal
Leaves, when dried' and burned, drive away mosquitoes. They are also
used as insecticide for chicken and hog pests. The seed oil was reported
to have an insect repellant value like that of neem (Azadirachta indica) .
• Other uses
Researchers in Maasin, Leyte have found that Bagalunga is a good
reforestation species. Leaves hasten the ripening of bananas. Seeds
are being manufactured intor~sary beads and bracelets.
M. dubia cav. can be found growing along beaches, narrow alluvial plains,
in calcareous and non-calcareous, hills, and in undulating to sloping landscape.
It grows with shrubs and other pioneering tree species 'in grassland and
abandoned clearings tt)at are developing towards a second-growth forest.
Usually, it comes out after an area is burne~
Rainfall - 600-1000 mm less evenly distributed throughout the year
Elevation - 5,230 mm sea level, found also in elevations as high as 1,000
m in Java
Soil - sandy loam to clay and clay-loam soils with pH of 5.3 to 8.35,
.low to high in nitrogen and phosphorous, deficient in potassium
and poor to fairly rich in organic matter
Flowering is from May to December. Seed collection is from August
to December.
2 ~SE
• Seed source - Busay, Babatngon, Tolosa in Leyte; seeds are available
year round .
• Seed collection method - tree climbing or use of bamboo poles and
scythe. Cut the branches that have mature fruits.
• Seed extraction and processing - Soak the ripe fruit in tap water,
break the stones, extract the seeds.
• Seed count - 500 seeds/kg
• Seed storage - Stored seeds in polyethylene bag at room temperature
(28°C) can remain viable for 14 months. When stored at a temperature
of 5°C, seeds can have a prolonged viability of 6% MC.
• Pre-treatment - Crack the stones carefully using pliers to break the
endocarp. Soak the seeds immediately in tap water for 24 hours.
• Sowing - Sow the seeds in piastic trays or seed bed with fine sand.
• Potting - Transport the seedlings in plastic bags with sterilized
ordinary garden soil (OGS) + humus + Biotab.
• Shading - Immediately before transplanting, plac-e the seedlings in
a shaded area for 3 weeks before hardening.
• Watering - Water the seedlings regularly.
• Weeding - Weed once a month or as the need arises.
• Hardening - Harden for 4 months in full sunlight to simulate actual
field condition.
Nursery-grown seedlings are recommended for plantation establishment.
It grows faster compared to direct seeding. The spacing is 3 m x 3 m.
Outplanting is done at the onset of the rainy season. The plantable height is
14 to 25 cm. This gives a high percent of survival.
 Spray appropriate fungicide/insecticide when the seedlings are attacked
by pests/diseases. .

Place Height (m) Diameter (em) Age (yrs.)

Tolosa, Leyte 15.0 51 8

Maasin, Leyte 9.5 36 5
Matalon, Leyte 19.69 16
Kalukoi (Melia dubia cav.) and
Malambingan (Broussonefia luzonicCi
EROB, DENR. Undated. DENR Recommends. Reforestation Pocket Series
1b. Indigenous Reforestation Species.
(Blancol for Boat Making
Hensleigh, T.E. and B.K. Holaway. 1988. Agroforestry species for the
Philippines. AJA Printers. p. 223.
Compiled by
Quisumbing, E. 1978. Medicinal plants of the Philippines. Katha Publishing
Co., Inc. p. 485.

Ramilo, V. 2003. Phenology of Bagalunga (Melia dubia CaY.). Unpublished

Terminal Report. ERDB-DENR Region 9. Zamboanga City.

_____ .2003. Storage condition for Bagalunga (Melia dubia CaY.).

Unpublished Terminal Report. ERDB-DENR Region 9. Zamboanga City.

_____ . 2003. Production of quality planting stock for Bagalunga (Melia

dubia CaY.). Unpublished Terminal Report. ERDB-DENR Region 9.
Zamboanga City.

Nasayao, E. E.; L.Z. Nasayao; M.A .. Zara and E.V. Ulep. 1992. Bagalunga:
Melia dubia Cay. towering with purposes. Canopy International. Vol. 18
no. 5. pp. 9-12.
Local names: hindang (Leyte and Surigao); taloot or manyupay
(Cebu and Negros Oriental)

Kalukoi is a large tree with a diameter at breast height (dbh) of 55 cm

and a height of 29 m (merchantable at a height of 17 m). Crown is conical to
spreading especially in the open. Inside the forest, the tree is generally taller,
nearly cylindrical, with a narrow crown concentrated at the top. Leaves are
simple, forming a whorl with a heart-shaped base and the margins almost
touching each other. The round fruit measures 2 cm in diameter, greenish
gray and powdery and emanatesfrom the leaf axis in pairs from a slender
individual peduncle measuring 3 cm in length. The inner portion of the fruit,
including the fleshy seed covering is pinkish. Bark is khaki in color, 1 cm
thick. with prominent leaf/branch abscission layers. This fast-growing and
indigenous species bark is whitish and produces a colorless sap that causes
skin irritation and burning sensation. (This may account for the tree resistance
to borer and termite attack).

Widely distributed in the Visayas and Mindanao and in a limited number

in the Bicol region.

In Leyte where the species is thriving well, the trees are harvested for
boat making. Another use is for furniture making.

The tree is typically found along roadsides and in urban areas usually
solitary and rarely in groups.
The highest elevation at which kalukoi has been sighted is about 100 m -. of 16 m and total height of 29 m. As with the tree within the coconut-
as!.
A prolific seeder, kalukoi starts to bear fruit at 2 to 3 years, but produces
viable seeds in 4 to 5 years. It has no definite fruiting season. In Cebu, seed
fall is March to April and July to August.
Collect seeds from rotting fruits that have fallen under the canopy.
Germination is from 15 to 20 days. Percent germination from rotting fruit
is 4 to 50% while those from fresh fruit is 80%. The seeds can be
refrigerated up to 5 months but with germination decreasing to 10%. A
medium sized fruit has 220 tiny brown seeds. The seeds turn brown when
mature. The seedlings go through a grass stage taking 2 to 3 months to
develop bigger leaves. Once the seedlings have produced bigger leaves
(3 cm x 6 em) growth becomes more rapid. The species is susceptible to
damping-off (fungal infestation due to overcrowding, limited sunlight and
over watering). To prevent this, use a seed box filled with fine sand. Using
the broadcast method, sow the seeds at appropriate distances to avoid
overcrowding. For higher germination and robust seedling, allow more
sunlight to penetrate by using a semi-transparent plastic shade.
Kalukoi is a fast growing indigenous species increasing 4 to 5 cm in
diameter and 2 to 3 m in height every year in good sites. At 4 months, a
plantation in San Isidro, Leyte established on a level ground topsoil, had
an average height of 1 m and a dbh of less that 1 cm. In another site, on
a slope made of felled material, two-year trees in the open were found to
have an average dbh of 8 cm and total height of 7 m. Two trees under
shade, which were planted at the same time as those in the open, were
only 3 m tall and 3.5 cmdbh. An eight-yeat-old tree growing among
coconuts and mango trees had a straight bole measuring 25 cm in dbh
and has 10m merchantable height and 14 m and total height, respectively.
Another big tree (reckones to be aqout 20 to 25 years old) within an old
acacia (Samanea saman) stand had a dbh of 55 cm, merchantable height
mango plantation, the bole is nearly cylindrical. In contrast, trees in the
open were not as tall or as cylindrical, exhibiting generally wider crowns,
shorter boles and denser foliage. The species appears to be shade
; tolerant, surviving under heavy canopy and then shooting up rapidly when
it reaches canopy level.
MALABI~GAN,MALAMBINGAN
'
local names: Alibag (Cagayan); alitagtag (Camarines); alokon bong on
(Mt. Province); baeg (Pangasinan); bulbulan (Cebu and
Negros); himbaba-o (Nueva Ecija); kabag (Mindoro);
karud (Misamis); Iiba (Davao); malabingan (Sulu);
i talubang (Siquijor).
Scientific name: Broussonetia fuzonica (Blanco) Bur. var glabra (Wardb.)
Comer
A small to medium-sized tree which grows up to 30 em diameter and
merchantable height of 25 m. Total height reaches up to 27 m. Sqme
trees, however, reach up to 40 em. Leaves are simple and alternately
serrated. The tree is dioecious (having male and female flower in separate
tree). Trees with male flower develop fruits like the male papaya. Male
flower is pendulous, curve to twisted, light green, up to 5 cm long and 5
mm diameter. Fruit is soft and head is covered with fine hairy structures.
The matured fruit with a diameter of about 3 cm contains numerous tiny
ovate brown seeds 2 mm in diameter. Bark is whitish and smooth. It is a
drought- tolerant and fast-growing species.

. Sow seeds in seed boxes fiJled with an ant- free germinating medium
as th~ s~eds are eaten by ants. Germination period is 8-10 days.
Germmatlon percent is 30%.

The tree is used to shade abaca plantations and serves asintercrop

in agroforestry. and ro~dside plantation. In Mindanao, the wood is best
known for paneling, furniture and cabinet work, hunstocks, musical .••~on~-y~~r oJd~nal~~.ingan plantation trial (.25 ha) from potted
instrument and general construction. In Visayas, especially in Siquijor. wlldhngs In LIlt-a, Maia,SfqUtlor registered an average diameter and height

Cebu and Negros Oriental, the wood is highly prized for dugout canoes , of 4.25cm and 4.87m. respectively. This indicates that the species is
because of its resistance to water. re~lIy .fast- growing. The survival rate is 85%. The said plantation is
bemg tntercropped with corn.

, httpllwww.oneocean.org/overseas/200003Ificus cal/usa for banca making

It is found at low to medium altitudes and thrives very well in sandy html!.
soil with limited soil moisture and high soil temperature.
I Osmena. L; C.E. Yao and R. Ibanez. Undated. Fieus callosa: Unheralded
species shows promise as livelihood sources for coastal communities.

Malambingan is propagated by seeds and wildlings which is abundant

under the canopy of some trees. The hardy wildlings have high survival
rates. '.. Rojo, J.P. 1999. Revised Lexicon of Philippine trees. FPRDI-DOST,
College, Laguna. pp. 269.

Yao, C.E. 1995. Species trial of some indigenous species in Siquijor.

The Philippine Lumberman. Vol. 41 No.1. p. 21-23.

_____ . 1995. Malabingan for dugout Canoes. The Philippine

Collect the mature fruit indicated by the brownish seeds and less
Lumberman. Vol. 42 NO.4. P 37.
sticky murky sap, otherwise bats and birds will eat all of them. Fruit is
~oakedfor 3-4 days to hasten ripening before maceration. Fruit is then
crushed in fine screen wire to extract the tiny seeds. Sundry the seeds
for 1 day and air-dry for 2 days befor~ storing or sowing ..
To properly update our mailing list, we request you to
provide us with new information on your present
address, if necessary. Please inform ERDB through
the:
The Circulation Officer
Email: f1orapalicpic@yahoo.com
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau
College 4031 , Laguna
To properly update our mailing list, we request you to
provide us with new information 'on your present address,
if necessary. Please inform ERDB through the:
The Director
Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau
College 4031 , Laguna
Tel. Nos. (049) 536-2229; 536-2269; 536-3221;
536-3628; Fax No. (049)536-2850