Tree of the month (PART 1) - Loktob

Duabanga moluccana Blume

Family Name: Sonneratiaceae

Local names

Adha, adka, karauan, luktub (Bik.); agas, banabang-bugtong, binuang, buluang, loktob, lokton, luktub, malapalikpik (Tag.); arik, kadig (Ibn.); bukag, kadil, kadir (Ilk.); bugukan (God.); daha (Mbo., P. BIs.); dapul (Ting.); hoi (Bon.); Iloilo (P. Bis.); kadel, karig (Neg.); lamod (Bag., Mag.); luktub (Sul.).

Distribution

It is found in disturbed (open sites) in mixed dipterocarp, swamp and sub-montane forests up to 1500 meters in altitude. Usually found on alluvial sites and along rivers and streams. It is also found in Mindoro, Palawan, Leyte, Panay, Negros and Luzon.

Method of propagation

It is propagated easily by seeds.

Morphology

A very large emergent tree grows more than 30 m high, attaining a dbh of 100 cm or more. Bole is very long, the first branch occurring at about 18-20 cm from the ground, straight, prominently cylindrical, distinctly tapering. Buttress plank, symmetrical type, high to more than 1 m, spreading to 3 m. Branches ascending, few, short, rounded.

The crown is small, sparse and open, almost rounded. Bark surface greenish-brown with yellowish, purplish and black lenticels that are surrounded by purplish horizontal slits, flaking and shedding irregularly into thin flakes whose underside is blackish purple and shiny, leaving greenish and yellowish-brown scars on the bole; inner bark pale or dull brown, woody with fine fibers, exuding a watery sap very sparingly.

The leaves are simple, opposite, distichous, glabrous,14-23 cm long x 5-7 cm wide, base cordate, apex acuminate, blade oblong-ovate, dark green, glabrous and dull on upper surface, grayish-green, dull and glabrous beneath; young twigs grayish-brownish or green, glabrous and dull, semi-quadrangular, old twigs purplish-brown, shallowly winged at the nodes and internodes. Flower yellowish. Fruit is ovoid-oblong, capsule, 2.5-3 cm long, 4-valved.

Contemporary use

The wood is used for house construction, rafting, heavy logs, fish net floats, boxes, firewood, furniture, veneer, bancas or dugout canoes and light construction. The bark produces a black dye when boiled in water.

Data about native tree species are featured by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. For comments and suggestions, e-mail [email protected].