Molave/Mulawin
Vitex parviflora A. Juss.
Vitex parviflora A. Juss.
Molave is known for its blue, hairy, and small flowers. This species is natural in the province of Bohol and is considered to be the most economically important species. Since the wood is known to be hard and durable, timber is generally used for making furniture, bridge posts as well as connectors of railways. The wood is also used as a source of firewood, while the leaves are used as fodder. The bark and wood are also used in local medicine, as a styptic, emetic, antitoxic, as well as treating jaundice and dropsy.
Due to the numerous uses of this plant species, the DENR Administrative Order 2017-11 has declared Molave as an Endangered species. In the Philippines, Mulawin can be found naturally in different provinces within the islands of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. However, because of the excessive and uncontrollable deforestation in our native forests, the population of this species continues to decline.
In relation to this, did you know that our Sintang Paaralan helps in saving such species? In fact, we have our own Molave trees planted inside the campus! These trees can be found near the Interfaith Chapel facing the Nutrition and Dietetics building as well as inside the Lagoon near the amphitheater.
Distribution of Vitex parviflora A. Juss. in the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (Map created by J. Diongco)
Natural distribution of Vitex parviflora A. Juss. in the Philippines (Map created by G.A. Bautista and R.M. Roque)
Botanical Description of Vitex parviflora A. Juss.
The name Vitex parviflora came from the Latin word vieo meaning ‘to weave’, parvus meaning ‘small’, and flores meaning ‘flower’. Molave or Mulawin is a Philippine native tree species that may grow from a medium sized to fairly large tree that has a bark with smooth surface, shallowly fissured or flaky, and exhibits a pale grey to pale yellowish-brown color. Leaves of this species are oppositely arranged, compounded and glabrous on the abaxial surface.