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 the Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Moluccas, New Guinea, Sulawesi, and Thailand. This climbing woody liana (a woody vine) is commonly found in primary forests at low to medium altitudes. At the Makiling Botanic Gardens, it is located at 200 meters above sea level near the creek banks.
Distinctive Features
Growth Form: Kabatete is a climbing woody liana that uses other trees for support as it grows upward through the forest canopy.
Leaves: The leaves are simple and alternately arranged along the stem. They are dark green and glossy on the upper surface and lighter green underneath.
Fruit: The fruit is a large, hanging woody capsule with a 3-valved opening. Inside, the fruit contains many winged seeds piled in rows and cushioned in a soft, spongy layer. The fruit is green when young and turns brown as it matures.
Seeds: The seeds are winged, about 2 centimeters long, and light brown in color with clear or transparent wings. These wings allow the seeds to glide through the air when released from the fruit capsule.
Nature’s Glider
The winged seeds of kabatete represent one of the most sophisticated seed dispersal mechanisms in the plant kingdom. When the mature fruit opens its three valves, the lightweight seeds with their transparent wings are released and can glide considerable distances on air currents. This aerial dispersal strategy allows the plant to spread its offspring across the forest, increasing the chances that seeds will find suitable growing conditions away from the parent plant.
The soft, spongy layer inside the fruit capsule protects the precisely arranged seeds until they are ready for dispersal, ensuring they remain undamaged and aerodynamic when the time comes to take flight.
Ornamental Value
Kabatete is used as a landscape plant because of its fascinating fruits and seeds. The large, woody capsules hanging from the vine create visual interest, and the remarkable winged seeds appeal to those interested in plant adaptations and natural design. The plant’s climbing habit and glossy foliage also contribute to its ornamental appeal.
Important Safety Note
The plant is considered non-edible for humans and is said to be poisonous. This is an important reminder that not all plants, even those with attractive features, are safe for consumption.
Observing Kabatete at Makiling
When you visit the Makiling Botanic Gardens, you can find kabatete growing near the creek banks at 200 meters above sea level. If you’re fortunate enough to see the plant when its fruits are mature and opening, you might witness the remarkable sight of winged seeds being released. Even without seeing the seeds in flight, examining the large woody capsules and observing how the seeds are arranged inside offers insight into the plant’s ingenious dispersal strategy.
The simple, glossy leaves provide year-round visual interest, while the distinctive fruits make this vine easy to identify once you know what to look for.
As our Plant of the Month for April 2026, kabatete reminds us that plants have evolved remarkable strategies for reproduction and survival. The transparent wings of its seeds, so delicate yet so effective, represent millions of years of adaptation to forest life—a perfect example of form following function in the natural world.
The Makiling Botanic Gardens showcases a different plant species each month to highlight botanical diversity and the ingenious adaptations plants have developed. Visit us to discover more about the remarkable plants in our collection and the ecosystems they call home.