Agoho
Casuarina equisetifolia L.
Embedded Files
Casuarina equisetifolia, or Agoho in the Philippines is a perennial woody tree belonging to the family Casuarinaceae, the beefwood family. It occurs to places with climate of semi-arid to subhumid. It is common in the regions of Aklan, Aurora, Bukidnon and Quezon.
Agoho’s conservation status is of Least Concern (IUCN, 2019). It has been called the “best firewood in the world” for it ignites readily even when green, and ashes retain heat for long periods and also produces high quality charcoal. As a timber, it is used in house posts, rafters, electric poles, tool handles, among other woodworks. Its root extracts are used for treatment of dysentery, diarrhea and stomachache. Since it is salt tolerant and can grow in sand, C. equisetifolia is used to control erosion along coastlines, estuaries, riverbanks and waterways (Orwa, et al., 2009).
The sole Agoho tree existing inside the campus was said to be found together with other old trees along the Pasig River, long before PUP transferred to the NDC compound at Sta. Mesa in 1971. That was like, so long ago! How fascinating is that? To think that this tree still thrives up to this day are like silently witnessing all the things that had happened to our beloved University.
Distribution of Casuarina equisetifolia L. in the Polythecnic University of the Philippines (Map created by J. Diongco).
Natural distribution of Casuarina equisetifolia L. in the Philippines (Map created by D. Pelisan and K. Resullar).
Botanical description of Casuarina equisetifolia L.
Casuarina is from the Malay word ‘kasuari’, from the supposed resemblance of the twigs to the plumage of the cassowary bird. The name is derived from the Latin equinus - pertaining to horses, and folium - a leaf, in reference to the fine drooping twigs which are reminiscent of (coarse) horsehair. These trees are tall evergreen tree to 30 m, the branches often drooping, sulcate, green, with 6–8 scalelike leaves. Internodes 5–7.5 mm long on the branchlets, only 2.5 mm on main shoots. Main shoots minutely hairy, with small, recurved scales ca 2.5 mm long, usually 8 in a whorl. Male spikes usually numerous, terminating the branches on which the female "cones" are borne lower down, cylindric to fusiform 12–24 mm long. Female "cones" sub globose to ellipsoid, 10–20 mm in diameter.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse