PHILIPPINE NATIONAL TREE.

NARRA tree (Pterocarpus Indicus) - there are two forms enumerated in Justo P. Rojo's book, Revised LEXICON OF PHILIPPINE TREES.

- Narra (Pterocarpus Indicus forma Indicus) with smooth seed pods
- Prickly Narra (Pterocarpus Indicus forma Echinatus) with prickly seed pods

Both recognized forms are highly regarded as ornamental trees and prized for their much sought lumber to be used as furniture, construction and decorative elements for houses or decorative items which require the use of wood. Although I believe that there may be other forms which we may not be aware of. Some species possess characteristics of having broad leaves, narrow small leaves, upright acute stems, drooping stems, whitish-yellowish-orange-red colored lumber and even flowers may differ from yellow variants to orange colored flowers. I have even heard of a local from Laguna speak of a Narra tree called "Puting Narra" or white Narra tree, which is very fast growing in my observation compared to others. Whichever it is, I hope that experts will be able to distinguish and classify them accordingly since it is our National Tree.

The Narra tree is an indigenous tree. This means that it is also native and can be found in other countries as well. Does this mean that other countries can also declare it as their national tree? There are endemic (found only in a specific area or country) trees that can be found in the Philippines that deserve equal or higher recognition than the narra tree such as the White and Red Lauan, Mangkono and Bagras, but why is Narra still our national tree? The only reason I can think of is because the Narra tree can be found throughout the Philippines, it is an ornamental tree that produce clusters of bright yellow or orange flowers and that it is a widely used lumber especially in the furniture industry.

In your opinion, is the Narra tree deserving to be our Philippine National Tree? Please share your comments and suggestions below.