Kleinhovia hospita

What we grow

Sep 062012

Specimen : Wild trees

Habitats : Riverine and coastal forests

Local name : Tan-ag

Trade name : Guest tree

Botanical name : Kleinhovia hospita

Family : Malvaceae

Specimen height : 8-10 meters

Fruiting season : Rainy months

Traits : Drought tolerant; Evergreen; Prolific fruiter; Salt-spray tolerant; Shade tolerant; Small to Medium-sized tree

Recommendations : Coastal stabilization; Erosion control; Farms; Home gardens; Honey tree; Living fence; Nurse tree; Ornamental tree; Public spaces; Riparian management; Roadside tree; Shade tree; Timber belt; Urban greening; Windbreak

Used for : Bark and leaves have insecticidal properties and have been used to erdicate head lice; Leaves, steeped in hot water, or its juice is used as eyewash; Bark fiber used for cordage; Wood for small construction, poles, house rafters, small wooden items, household implements, wooden shoes, floats and for other industrial uses; The hard, twisted part of the trunk is used as tool handles; Pulpwood; Fuelwood and charcoal

Native range : India, the Mascarene archipelago, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines), Papua New Guinea, Australia to Polynesia

National conservation status : Not threatened in the Philippines

Threats : Indiscriminate cutting of wild trees for fuelwood and charcoal production; Clearing of woodlands for agricultural, commercial or residential use

(Note : Given the name “Guest tree” on account of this tree being the host or residence of various epiphytes, lizards and snakes on its natural habit)