Astilbe philippinensis (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Astilbe philippinensis A. Henry

Family: Saxifragaceae

• Philippines: hagman, kauan (Igorot), tugtugi (Bontok).

The Philippines (northern Luzon).

The leaves, sometimes mixed with a little tobacco, have been used by the Igorot for smoking.

A perennial herb 30-90 cm tall, with indumentum of brown hairs. Leaves alternate, 2-3-ternate but the upper division often 5-foliolate; leaflets leathery, ovate-lanceolate, 8-15 cm × 2-6 cm, double serrate, with scattered bristles, base oblique, apex long acuminate. Inflorescence paniculate, small and lax, broadly pyramidal, glandular hairy; flowers sessile or shortly pedicellate; sepals 5, 1.5 mm long; petals 5, spatulate, 3 mm long, reddish, rounded at apex; stamens 8-10; carpels 2, adhering at base. Fruit a small capsule with a short beak. A. philippinensis is a characteristic element of the upper pine region at 1200-2300 m altitude.

14, 29, 37, 46, 47.

M.S.M. Sosef