Broussonetia luzonica (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Broussonetia luzonica (Blanco) Bureau

Family: Moraceae

Synonyms

• Allaeanthus luzonicus Fernandez-Villar.

Vernacular names

• Philippines: himbaba-o, babayan (Tagalog), baeg (Ilocano), balong-kadios (Bisaya).

Distribution

The Philippines (from northern Luzon to Mindanao).

Uses

Flower spikes and leaves are eaten cooked. They are sold on local markets. A weak rope can be made from the bark.

Observations

• Tree up to 15 m tall.
• Leaves ovately oblong, 5-15 cm long, with pointed apex.
• Inflorescence with many small flowers on long spikes.

In thickets and secondary forest up to 1100 m altitude.

Selected sources

13, 61, 86.