Salago is the Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for March 2020. The “salago” or scientifically known as Wikstroemia ovata C.A. Mey belongs to family Thymeliaceae. It is generally found in Borneo and Philippines.
The salago is also known as round-leaf salago and bootlace bush. It is a source of durable fiber made into ropes, G-strings, tapis and used as fiber constituent to strengthen paper products. Its leaves yield a volatile oil and resin which are considered emeto-cathartic and laxative.
TRIVIA: Salago fibers are used in the manufacture of high grade paper used in bank notes, cheques and specialty papers.
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by: Angela A. Limpiada and Analyn C. Malayba