Bitaog

Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Bitaog is recognized in the Philippines as being one of the oldest trees—a Centennial tree—with relatively small trunks and spreading branches.

The only Bitaog tree in the entire campus, can be found on the walkway at the side of the open court adjacent to CHK. Since the University's establishment from being the Philippine College of Commerce, this tree has seen the university progress into now, Polytechnic University of the Philippines. Numerous economic importance of this plant includes having an edible fruit, timber used for general purposes, and seed oil and latex occasionally used in dyeing batik cloth in Java, Indonesia. Plus, it is identified as a mangrove associate species, meaning they are mainly distributed in terrestrial habitats, but also occur in mangrove ecosystems.

Distribution of Calophyllum inophyllum L. in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Map created by J. Diongco)

Natural distribution of Calophyllum inophyllum L. in the Philippines (Map created by R. Billete and E.C. Manuel)

Botanical Description of Calophyllum inophyllum L.

Leaves petiole is broadened and flattened toward the bright green blade having an elliptic oblong to obovate shape, the base cuneate to rounded, finally decurrent, and margins more or less undulate, leaf apex rounded to retuse, and lateral veins are prominent on both surfaces. The plants’ inflorescences are found in distal axils, 3–12-flowered. Flowers are 2 cm in diameter with four white obovate petals. The fruits are drupes, 2.5–5 2–4 cm in size, green, globose to obovoid, from which oils are extracted and used in soaps for softer skin.

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