Habitats : Secondary forests, ridges, grasslands, wastelands and roadsides
Local name : Alagaw
Botanical name : Premna odorata
Family : Verbenaceae
Specimen height : 4-8 meters
Fruiting season : Matured fruits observed from April to June
Traits : Bushy; Drought tolerant; Evergreen; Fast growing; Small tree; Tolerant of infertile soils; Tolerant of occasional water-logging
Recommendations : Agroforestry; Backyards; Edible gardening; Farms; Green manure; Hedging; Homegardens; Nurse tree; Pioneer species for reforestation purpose; Public spaces; Roadside tree; Shade tree; Urban greening; Wildcrafting; Windbreak
Used for : New leaves are used in flavoring Filipino dishes like Pinaksiw; Leaves are used as food wrap; Leaves, flowers and roots have various uses in traditional medicine; Fuelwood
Native range : South Asia, China, Japan, Taiwan, Southeast Asia (including the Philippines) and Australia
National conservation status : Not threatened
Possible threats : Clearing of woodlands for agricultural, commercial or residential use; Indiscriminate cutting of wild trees for fuelwood production
Further readings :
Bureau of Plant Industry Medicinal Plants Publication - Premna odorata http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/pdf/a/alagau.pdf
E-Prosea - Premna odorata http://www.proseanet.org/prosea/e-prosea_detail.php?frt=&id=392 (351)