COMMON NAME:
Molave
LOCAL NAMES:
tugas (Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Samar, Leyte, Butuan, Bukidnon, Zamboanga); tugas lanhan, tugas pan (Bohol, Mindanao)
DISTRIBUTION:
Common in both secondary and open primary forests at low to medium altitudes throughout the Philippines; very common and widely distributed in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor and in areas with corraline or limestone soil.
PROPAGATION:
By seeds and cuttings.
DESCRIPTION:
Habit:
Medium to large tree growing 25- 35 m high and 150 cm dbh; bole irregular, short, crooked, fluted; buttress thick, low, medium to moderately large; intolerant to shade; with a spreading crown; partially sheds its leaves during the latter part of the dry season.
Leaves:
Trifoliate but simple at seedling stage; opposite or whorled; ovate to lanceolate; 0.5- 1.5 cm long; base obtuse or broadly rounded, apex acute to acuminate; largest leaf located at the center; upper surface dark green, lower surface light green; petiole 10 cm long; closely related to lingo-lingo (Viticipremna philippinensis) but latter has 5 leaflets.
Flowers:
Petals bluish to lavender, terminal to subterminal; male and female borne on different stalks.
Fruit:
Berry, rounded, dark blue to blackish when ripe, 1-seeded, 0.5-0.8 cm in diameter.
Bark:
Outer bark light brown to gray, smooth to slightly fissured, peels off when mature; inner bark pale yellow to bright orange.
USES:
Wood:
One of the hardest woods, used in general construction where strength and durability are required; ideal for high-value furniture, door panels, jambs, carvings, novelty items, railroad ties and bridges.
Leaves:
Used as fodder.
Ecological:
Used for shelterbelts and planted in reforestation projects in the Philippines.
Medicinal:
Wood and bark have curative effects on wounds and poisonous bites; wood extract used to treat diarrhea, jaundice and swelling of tissues.
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