Thursday, September 2, 2010

Bangkal tree with curious orb like flowers.

The first time that I saw stands of Bangkal (Nauclea orientalis) trees were along an estero, corner of Wilson street and A. Mabini street in San Juan city, Manila. On occasion, I would see this tree on slightly sloping dry land or thickets. The next time I saw this species is along a stream or waterway. Do you get the drift?

I learned from The Free Dictionary by Farlex that the genus "Nauclea" means "small genus of evergreen tropical shrubs or trees with smooth leathery leaves". I thought that the scientific name had something to do with it's flowers. Somehow I was rooting the genus Nauclea with the word nucleus. But turns out that they are two different words. LOL.........

Luckily, I chanced upon it's ever ellusive flowers one sunny morning of August. It was great timing I'll say. Thank you Lord. And thank you for the perfect lighting!

By the way, Bangkal is said to have medicinal and anti-malarial properties, eaten by birds and bats and a source of a bright yellow dye.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heard a testimony that barks used as medicinal cure for various illness such as diabetes, hair growth. He boils bark with water and drinks it as substitute for water. Effect he doesn't take took out his medicine and check-ups are normal since.

Rico said...

Hello! Thank you for sharing this information here. For further information regarding this tree species, please check out the link http://www.stuartxchange.org/Bangkal.html .....Thank you!

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