The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for December 2022 is the Balakat Gubat, scientifically known as Balakata luzonica (Vidal) Esser. The plant is from the family Euphorbiaceae and is endemic to the Philippines. C. Ridsdale provided the translation of Balakat gubat as “shoulder tree”.
Balakat Gubat is a large tree with simple alternate glossy leaves and dark reddish brown bark. Its flowers are yellowish–white in color and are numerous in leaf axils while its fruit is a one-seeded berry-like fleshy drupe almost circular in shape.
This tree’s wood is used for construction in the form of plywood and particle board.
By: AALimpiada and ACMalayba
To view the video dedicated to this tree, click this link: https://youtu.be/or3SrYCH7j4