The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) highlights Langil (Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth.) as the Plant of the Month for July 2026. Belonging to the family Fabaceae, this tree is native to regions across South Asia and Southeast Asia, including the Andaman Islands, Bangladesh, the East and West Himalayas, India, Myanmar, Nepal,…
Belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae), the Nervilia pudica is endemic to the Philippines, meaning it cannot be found naturally anywhere else in the world! What’s in a Name? If you look closely at its structure, its name tells a story. The genus name Nervilia comes from the Latin word…
Among the trees growing at the Makiling Botanic Garden, few capture the imagination quite like balsa — a giant that can soar to 30 meters tall, yet produces one of the lightest and most versatile woods known to humanity. Getting to Know Balsa Native to the Americas, balsa (Ochroma pyramidale)…
This month, the Makiling Botanic Gardens features a remarkable climbing plant known for one of nature’s most elegant seed dispersal mechanisms: kabatete (Alsomitra macrocarpa (Blume) Roem.), a member of the Cucurbitaceae family that produces winged seeds capable of gliding through the forest canopy. Where It Grows Kabatete is native to…
This month, the Makiling Botanic Gardens features a versatile climbing vine that has served communities across the tropics in multiple ways: pukingan (Centrosema molle Mart. Ex Benth.), a member of the Fabaceae family native to the United States of America that has spread across tropical regions worldwide. Growth Habit and…
This month, the Makiling Botanic Gardens features a plant that might assault your nose before catching your eye: kantutan (Paederia foetida L.), a vine from the Rubiaceae family with a pungent reputation and a long history of traditional uses across Asia. A Name That Tells a Story The scientific name…