The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for August 2024 is the Kahoy Dalaga, scientifically known as Mussaenda philippica A. Rich. from the family Rubiaceae. The plant is endemic to the Philippines.
Kahoy Dalaga is a shrub or small tree commonly found in thickets of secondary forests at low to medium elevation. Its branches are slender slightly hairy and lenticellate and it is commonly grown as an ornamental plant. It has flowers that are borne in terminals, yellow with hairy petals and cymes. Moreover, Kahoy Dalaga has one enlarged white leaflike, long petioled appendage and fruits that are ellipsoid, green with grayish spots, and finely glabrous or hairy. Its leaves are simple and oppositely arranged, dark green and glossy.
The plant has several uses. It includes use for treatment in dysentery and snake bites, the root and sepals are used for jaundice, the bark is used for stomachache, and the Tambalan healers of Samar use the juice (pounded scrape of the bark ) mixed with lemon extract taken 3 times a day to treat influenza.
For more information, you may view this video link: https://youtu.be/1Zcn3D5T8Xg?si=5P3Tx1Nfu4W637jz
By AALimpiada and ACMalayba