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, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Botanical Profile & Characteristics
Langil is a deciduous tree that grows up to 15 meters tall. Although non-native, it has naturalized in the Philippines and is commonly found at lower elevations on Mount Makiling.
- Bark: Features grayish-brown outer bark marked with distinct lenticels (raised, porous spots that act as tiny breathing pores for gas exchange).
- Leaves: Bipinnate leaves (where the leaves divide into secondary leaflets, creating a feathery appearance) arranged alternately in pairs. The leaflets are obliquely oblong with a prominent gland near the base of the petiole (the small stalk connecting the leaf to the stem).
- Flowers: Produces fragrant, whitish to greenish-yellow flower heads borne on long-stalked peduncles (the main stems or stalks that attach a flower head to the tree).
- Pods & Seeds: Flat pods that turn from green to light brown as they mature. Each pod contains 4 to 12 seeds, with the seeds indented on opposite sides.
Practical & Medicinal Applications
Various parts of the Langil tree serve traditional medicinal functions as well as practical everyday uses:
Medicinal Uses
- Bark & Seeds: Function as an astringent and are used to treat diarrhea and hemorrhoids. In powdered form, bark is used for ulcers, snakebite wounds, flu, and abdominal tumors.
- Seeds & Oil: Applied in treatments for eye ailments and leprosy. Crushed seeds are made into a paste to treat enlarged cervical glands.
- Leaves: Decoctions or extracted leaf juice are used to treat night blindness.
- Flowers: Applied directly to boils for their cooling effect.
Other Uses
- Apiculture & Ornamental: Its fragrant flowers attract bees for honey production, and the tree is also planted as an ornamental.
- Timber & Craft: The wood is utilized for construction, furniture, and paneling.
- Agriculture & Material: Used as animal fodder, while tannins extracted from the tree are used to treat fishing nets.
- Hygiene: In Java, the bark is traditionally used as soap.
References
- Fernando et al. 2004. Flowering Plants and Ferns of Mt. Makiling. AKECU p. 27
- Godofredo U. Stuart, Jr., M.D. / StuartXchange. Philippine Medicinal Plants. Stuartxchange.org/langil accessed online on July 9, 2026
- Pelser, P.B., J.F. Barcelona & D.L. Nickrent (eds.). 2011 onwards. Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. www.philippineplants.org Copyright © 2011, Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines. Last updated: 9 June 2026
- Plants of the World Online. https://powo.science.kew.org/results?q=Albizia%20lebbeck
- World Flora Online. https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000184271
Article by Forester Angela Limpiada, Forester Analyn Malayba, and Ms. Elyza Trisha Arceta