Igem-Dagat

Podocarpus costalis C. Presl

A native of Batanes, Arius, also called igem-dagat is a small tree, about 1-5 m high. . Primarily, it is used as an ornament—from home gardens to delicate bonsai trees. Batanes locals mostly composed of the indigenous group known as Ivatans, also use this tree as a Christmas tree, and this plant's fleshy-like receptacle where the seeds form at the end is used in wines and jams.

The DENR and IUCN lists Podocarpus costalis conservation status under the Endangered category, with its population trend decreasing according to their 2013 Red List of Threatened Species. This tree, like the one planted between the University Pool and Tahanan ng Alumni, can grow up to 5 meters tall.

Distribution of Podocarpus costalis C. Presl in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Map created by J. Diongco).

Natural distribution of Podocarpus costalis C. Presl in the Philippines (Map created by J. Dela Cruz and J. Diongco).

Botanical Description of Podocarpus costalis C. Presl

Its scientific name came from the Greek words podos, meaning feet, and carpos, meaning fruit; costalis, on the other hand, came from the Latin word costa, meaning side. Young leaves are up to at least 9 x 1.3 cm, acute or more less rounded at the apex. Adult leaves are linear, 4-7 cm (or as little as 2.5 cm on short side branches) by 5-10 mm, broadly acute or more usually rounded at the apex, narrowing more or less abruptly at the base to a 2-3 mm petiole. The seed-bearing structure is on a 4-6 mm peduncle; the leaflet 1.5 mm long and early caducous; receptacle is 12-15 mm long and is reported to be red when mature. Seed is naked being a gymnosperm and it is only about 6-7 mm.

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