Native wild edible : Nauclea orientalis

Specimen : Wild trees

Habitats : Riverbanks, creek banks and waterways

Local name : Bangkal

Trade names : Leichhardt Pine, Yellow cheesewood

Botanical name : Nauclea orientalis

Family : Rubiaceae

Specimen height : 8-15 meters

Leaf : Ovate, apex acute, base acute to obtuse; Firm, glossy green with prominent veins

Flower : Round, yellow or orange with white spikes

Fruit : Aggregate; Unevenly shaped, greenish brown to
yellow brown

Fruiting season : Fruits seen from July to January

Traits : Conical in form; Evergreen; Fast growing; Medium-sized tree;Water-logging tolerant; Wind hardy

Recommendations : Agroforestry; Erosion control; Honey tree; Living fence; Nurse tree; Ornamental tree; Pioneer species for reforestation purpose; Public gardens; Riparian management; Roadside tree; Shade tree; Timber belt; Urban greening; Windbreak; Wildcrafting

Used for : Fruits are edible but not palatable; Yellow dye obtained from the bark; Bark and leaves have medicinal uses; Wood for light constructions, interior works, furnitures (when properly dried), veneer and plywood, novelties, musical instruments and carving; Pulpwood; Firewood and charcoal

Native range : Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), New Guinea to Australia

National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines

Threats : Conversion of woodlands to agricultural, commercial or residential plots; Cutting of wild trees for timber, firewood and the production of charcoal

Further readings :

Philippine Woods : Principal Uses, Distribution & Equivalent Woods in Asia Pacific (A. Ella, A. Tongacan, R. Escobin & F. Pitargue)

Revised Lexicon of Philippine Trees (J. Rojo)

World Agroforestry http://www.worldagroforestry.org/af/treedb/AFTPDFS/Nauclea_orientalis.pdf (431)