- Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau

RISE
I
Vol. 22 No. 1
Research Infonnation
Series on Ecosystems
January - April 2010
'i
"
\
Some Familiar Philippine
Palms that Produce
High Food Value
and
Tikog
ECOSYSTEMS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
Department of Environment and Natural Resources
College 4031 , Laguna
I
Aside from forest trees that we usually feature in RISE, there are other
plant species that can be propagated for economic and environmental benefits.
Among such plants are palms and tikog.
Dir. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr.
CESOIII
Assistant Editors
Palms are minor forest products that abundantly grow in our forests.
They have numerous economic uses and are known to provide edible fruits and
shoots, buds, alcohol, starch, sugar, oils, fibers, raw materials for furniture making,
handicraft, house construction, ornamental and other uses. Ornamental palms
are planted mostly in school campuses, hospital grounds, building and hotel
parks, and along highways. Palms are also used as indoor plants and serve as
good landscape materials for home gardens.
Ms. Liberty E. Asis
Ms. Marla V. Cambay
This compilation ofHISE serves as a guide for our readers/end~usersin
their quest for information on the characteristics of this Ralm tree, economic uses
and usefulness as an ornamental plant. Nine palm species were included in this
issue.
Dr. Elpidio F. Rimahdo
Dr. Rafael T. Cadiz
Ms. Maria P. Dayan
Tikog is a multipurpose species that grows in marshlands in the
Philippines. Its stalks can be made into mats, handbags, placemats, baskets,
tobacco cases and other novelty items as well as handicrafts.
Ms Irene O. Tenorio!
Mr. Nestor S. Leviste
We hope that the informatioh we are proyiding in this issue will be of use
to those interested in the production of raw materials from. these palm species
and tikog.
Ms. Carmelita G. Reyes
Ms. Flora B. Palicpic
Layout Artists
Mr. Liberato A. Bacod
Mr. Nestor S. Leviste
Collating and Binding
Mr. Eduardo M. Tolentino
~_C_ir_cu_l_a_tio_n
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11
1
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~CIAL
C. AMARO.
Dit:ector
JR..
Some Familiar Philippine Palms that
Produce High Food Value
Compiled
by
Wilma C. Dichoso
Philippine palms
African oil palm
Ambung
Anahaw
Anibong
Burl
Fish tail palm,
Kaong/Sugar palm
Nipa
sago
Takipan
Niog
Nursery practices
Plantation establishment
References
Tikog
Common name
local names
Scientific name
Family'
DesCfiption
Socia-economic benefits and uses
Distribution
Site requirements
PropagatiOn
Site preparation
Di~tance and planting
Plantation establishment
Field planting
Population density
Man-made plantation
Cost and return analysis
Pests and diseases
Glossary of terms
References
African oil palm is a medium to large tree with a total height of 12 m and clear
stem length of 8 m. It bears flowers and fruits profusely. Flowers look similar to
others palms. Fruits are in nuts, and are borne in head-like clusters-at the side
of the palm. The nuts are green when young and turn brown to black upon ripening.
Distribution
The oil palm was introduced to the Philippines from West Africa , in the middle
of the 18th century as an ornamental plant. It is now extensively grown in
.commercial scale in Agusan and in other parts of Mindanao. It grows well in
places with short dry season and ~ith more or less evenly distributed rainfall
throughout the year.
Food: The buds are edible and used in preparing pickles and salads. A wine
similar to tuba can also be extracted from the sap of this paim.
The three principal commercial products are: palm oil, palm kernel, and palm
kernel cake.
Oil palm is grown extensively in Africa since it is in demand in the international
market. Palm oil is obtained from the fleshy mesocarp of the fruitwhich contains
45-55% oil. It is a raw material used in the manufacture of shortening, margarine,
soap. and candles. The oil consists principally of palmetin and olein.
Ninety-eight percent of the solid fatty acid of oil palm is composed of palmetic
acid. The fresh oil has an agreeable odor, bright orange color and consistency
similar to butter. It is used as an edible fat by the natives of Africa. The reddish
brown color of palm oil is due to the presence of carotene - a chemical found in
carrots and is a source of Vitamin K, which is needed by the human body to
prevent failing eyesight and blindness.
process is known as castration. During the first year, bunches are harvested
once a week using a steel chisel. When the palms are older, they are harvested
using a curved knife attached to a long bamboo. Taller palms are climbed with
ladder or rope. One man can harvest 100 - 150 bunches per day.
Phenology:
Palm kernel oil is obtained from the kernel or endosperm which contains
about 50% oil. It is white.or slightly yellow in color. Palm kernel oil is similar to
the composition of.coconut pit, but is quite different from that of palm oil. It contains
a lower proportion of glycerides ot the lower fatty acids. It is a good ingredient for
soap manufacture.
The palm cake is obtained after extracting the oil from the kernel. It serves as !
a livestock feed.
'
The leaves are used for thatching while the petioles and rachis are used for
fencing.
Other important
Once it starts to flower, it flowers continuously.
Propagation:
Palm oil can be propagated through seeds.
Nursery Practices
When the radicle and plumule are clearly differentiated, the seeds are planted
in raised pre-nursery beds filled with friable, well - drained soil or in trays planted
in larger, black polyethylene bags. Fertilization is necessary depending on the
soil condition and yield level.
Plantation
establishment
The area is cleared completely by removing revegetation. Usually, 12-18 month
old seedlings are outplanted with a planting distance of 30 x 30 feet and should
be done at the onset of the rainy season. Fertilizer recommendation is necessary
depending on the soil condition and yield level.
uses
African palm is more popularly known as an ornamental tree. It is a good
material in lands.caping avenues, parks and highways. It serves as an overstorey
species in agroforestry where other crops can be intercropped during the palm's
early stages. Since palm oil has a fibrous root system, it helps prevent soil
erosion particularly in areas with soil runoff.
Family
name:
Palmae
Description
In Africa, 7.5-15 tons of buncheslha are harvested annually while in Malaysia,
(20-40 tonslha) with a 15-20% recovery of oil per bunch on a weight basis, yields
well over 5 tons of palm oHlhaiannum.
Bunches of palm oil can be harvested at the optimum stage of ripeness. The
under ripe fruits oil have higher fatty acid content. Initial bunches that are produced
when palms are 3-4 years old often have poor quality and are discarded. This
Ambung is an erect and solitary species. The stem is slender, 20 m high and 20
em in diameter. The petiole is long and slender. It is flat above and convex beneath
and very dosely armed with small conical- dentiform spines of which the largest are
5-6 m long, which are usually straight, horizontal and occasionally bent.
The partial inflorescence is twice branched and forms a small box, and convex
externally with very sharp edges. It is erect and almost entirely sheathed by its
own sword form.
Family name: Palmae
Ambung is widely distributed at low-altitude forests like in Pafawan, Balabac.
Mindanao, Basilan, Cebu, and Southern Luzon.
Description
Anahaw is an erect palm that grows 15 - 20 m and 25 cm in diameter. The
smooth, straight, trunk is marked with close, shallow obscure rings which are
actually leaf scars. The leaves are crowded at the top of the trunk and ascending.
The green smooth flattened petiole may have hard black spines. As the petiole
ages, the edges become persistently shredded matrices of fibers. The green
flowers are sessile and 2 m long. The fruit is 1.5 em in diameter, fleshy and yellow
with a hard, round, brown seed inside.
Ambung palm is a good ornamental plant. It contributes a beautiful landscape
when planted on parks and in home gardens.
Propagation:
Ambung palm can be propagated through seeds.
The species is widely distributed, but grows naturally in forested areas and
locally adapted in the archipelago. Most are commonly found in Luzon, Negros,
and Mindanao.
Nursery practices
Sow the freshly harvested seeds evenly on seed boxes. Water them as often
as necessary. When seedlings are developed to about 1 em roots and shoots,
transfer them to a 4 x6 plastic bag containing a mixture of sand, top soil and
sawdust (1:1:1). When seedlings reach the desired height, outplant them during
the rainy season.
Plantation
establishment
Clear the area of vegetation. Dig holes for the seedlings with a 2 m x 2 m
spacing. Plant the seedlings by removing the plastic bags carefUlly. Water and
mulch them with dry leaves around the area.
ANAHAW
Local names:
Abiang (Pamapanga, Pangasinan); ana-au,labig (llocos); anahau
(Bohol, Panay-Bisaya, Tagalog); an au (Pampanga, Ibanag);
bagsang (Samar, Leyte, Visaya); bahi (Visaya); Bail-Iang
(Ibanag); balak (Maguindanao); balong-ulong (Pampanga); buhu,
balan bulno (Bicol); ingaing (Igorot); luyong, tokis (Sambali);
palma brava (Spanish); pilig (Tagalog).
.
Food: Anahaw bud is highly esteemed as a vegetable. Nuts are eaten when
young and green. The rind is tasty when ripe.
Other important
uses
The whole fan palm is used as an ornamental for both indoors and outdoors.
It also serves as expedient watershed protection. The trunk is strong, and is
durable if not exposed to weather condition. It is very ideal for fish pen knot poles,
house posts, and fuel. The harsh outer wood is split into strips/5-1 0 em wide and
used for flooring and panelling. It is highly preferred for the "pingga" or "shoulder
pole" of the Chinese and Filipino pack carriers.
When carved, the outer woqd is used in making handles, fishing rods, bows,
walking sticks; and spear shafts. Whole or split trunks are used as water conduits
in irrigation, as they also make excellent cave troughs. Young leaves or "faffias"
are made into raincoats, hats, fans, and creative works as decorative arrangements.
The older, dark-green or yellowish colored leaves are serviceable for roofing to
thatching materials for huts and houses. Some are made into containers for
water or rice and also sown into soils.
Anahaw starts to flower from March to JUly. The palm starts to bear fruits at
age 10 attaining a 20 em diameter at breast height (dbh) and a 5-8 m height.
Mature fruits are ready for collection from August to September.
Anahaw can be propagated either through seedlings or wildlings. Seedlings
should be raised first in a temporary nursery, potted about 120 cm long and then
set out in the area for planting. For wildlings, they should be directly gathered
under the canopy of anahaw trees in the plantation using a spade or a crowbar.
The root system should be trimmed to its desired length and mud puddled, wrapped
in a wet gunnysack and transported carefully to the planting site.
Seedlings and wildlings should be planted during the onset of the rainy season
to ensure greater survival. The best spacing or planting distance is 6 m to give
allowance for the growing wildlings and enhance faster growth of planted trees in
the stand.
Grown seedlings should be collected from the seedbed when they have
developed 1 cm root and 1 cm shoot. Potting is done in 4 x 6 in polyethylene
bags containing a mixture of 1:1:1 topsoil, sawdust, and sand. When the potted
seedlings are three (3) months old, hardening is done to prepare them for
outplanting.
Anibong is an erect, clustering palm. The trunk is slender, 7-10 m tall, 10-40
cm in diameter, grayish-brown, rather smooth, and with rings of black, flattened
~pines. Leaves are spreading, 2 m long; leaflets pendant; and sheaths are orange
In color with black spines. Spadix are few, clusters, with thick branches. Fruits
are spherical, 14-15 mm in diameter, and with nearly apical remains at the stigma.
Distribution
Anibong palms are abundant in the localities of Laguna, Quezon, Sorsogon
and in some parts of the Visayas region usually in Biliran, Leyte. These are
endemic in the areas mentioned.
Other beneficial uses: The outer portion of the stem can be used for flooring
and handles of agricultural implements. The decoction of the root is drunk for
fever treatment. .
Potted seedlings should be kept under.greenhouse or shed. Watering should
be done every afternoon or as often as necessary. Fertilizer may be applied to the
potted seedlings bas~ on the soil and plant requirement to ensure vigorous growth.
Plantation
establishment
Underbrush the vegetation of the selected site and dig holes enough for the
plant to settle with a 2 x 2 m spacing. Outplant the seedlings during the onset of
the rainy season to ensure a good survival rate.
Seedbeds are prepared for sowing. When seedlings reach the desired height,
these should be transferred to a plastic bag. Seedlings should be outplanted
during the onset of the rainy season for a good survival rate.
The site is prepared by clearing the vegetation area. Dig holes and plant the
seedlings with a spacing of 6 x 6 m. Water and mulch the area with dry leaves to
maintain soil moisture.
BURl
Local names:
Bagatal, taktak (Ibanag, Nueva Vizcaya); buli, buri (Tagalog,
Visaya, Bicol); ibus (Pampanga,
Tarlac); piet (Nueva
Ecjja, Pangasinan); serar(Bagobo);
Pangasinan, Tarlac).
silad (Visaya); silag(lIocos,
the petiole. The stripping must be done on round, unopened leaves immediately
after the leaves are cut out from the palm.
The midribs of young leaves are popularly used as raw materials for the lawn
furniture. Aside from this, midribs are woven into high quality hats and cigarette
cases. The thickness of the midribs ,determines the quality of the material.
Buri is the largest and the most common palm found in the Philippines. It has
a straight trunk with a dia.meter of 1 m and a height of 20 m. It has very large,
round fan-shaped leaves. The outer part is split into 100 narrow segments. The
petiole measures 2 - 3 m long with its two margins aligned with black spines. The
plant lives up to more than 30 years during the collection of large quantities of
starch in the trunk.
The two known varieties of buri are the red or "linbahon" and the white or
"Iupisan". These two are differentiated by the color of the petioles.
Buri grows throughout the Philippines at low and medium altitudes. Bu'ri is
cultivated in some provinces, but in some areas buri grows naturally and
abundantly.
A comparatively small amount of alcohol results from the spontaneous
fermentation of the sap which may also be converted into sugar. Other parts of
the buri palm such as seeds and stems are made into different products. Mature
seeds are used as buttons, playing marbles, and rosary beads. The stem has a
strong potential as a building material.
The sap is obtained in two ways. The more common method cuts an
inflorescence near its base, protecting the surface from the sun and rain and
collecting the sap which flows from the incision. The other method is applied on
young palms which have not flowered.
The crown of the plant is cut diagonally as far as the heart. The sap begins to
flow steadily and rapidly within 4 days. In both methods. re-clipping is done daily
to maintain the steady sap. The rate of the sap ~ow varies according to the
thickness of the slice removed.
.
Sap protection
Food: Buri buds are eaten cooked or raw as salads. The kernels of the young
fruits are processed into sweets. The trunk of the buri tree contains agoed quality
of starch even during its growing stage. The starch is collected when the tree
dies. Buri sap is one of the sources of the fermented drink locally known as
"tuba". The fresh sweet sap is a good source of beverage and can be made into a
good cidar when fermented. Fermentation takes place within 32 hours after the
sap is obtained.
Sugar is made from the buri sap through boiling. Sap is boiled for 6 hours
after which, the kettle is removed from the fire and the contents are stirred until
the sugar granulates. It is, then-ladled out and molded.
Nursery practices
Other beneficial uses - because of its varied uses, buri can be ranked next to
coconut and nipa in economic and industrial importance. The leaf is the most
important part of the buri palm. The petiole yields the so-called "buntal fiber" of
which the Lucban hats are made. The coarser fibers of young buds are twisted
into ropes. The mature leaves are used for covering tobacco bales, while the ribs
are used for making brooms.
The raffia fiber, obtained from the unopened leaf or shoot, are used in making
cloth, good quality hats, mats and bags. This fiber is striped from the outer part of
The prepared seedbeds should be exposed to full sunlight. Sow the treated·
seeds at 2 cm deep at 2 em along rows and 8 cm between rows. Garden soil with
compost is used. Water as often as necessary. Mulch with rice hay. Seeds
without the hilar germinate after 30 days while the seeds with hilar will germinate
in 60 days.
Clear and brush the area of existing vegetation. Staking and preparation of
planting boles are done with a 6 x 6 m spacing. Brush the whole area every three
(3) months. Apply fertilizer, if necessary.
occasionally used as a source of tuba or palm wine but of inferior quality. Fibers
from the petiole are used as tinders for caulking boats. Splints cut from the
petioles are used in making baskets. The outer part of the trunk is split and made
into a very durable slat flooring.
Phenology:
Fish tail palm flowers continuously until exhausted.
Propagation:
Fish tail palm can be propagated through seeds.
Nursery practices
Local names:
Pugahan (Tag.); lulung pugahan (Tag.); anivung (Ibanag); anibong
(Ibanag, Uqcos, Tag.); bahi (Mandaya); balikan (Cebu, Visaya);
datipan (Tag.); Hagal (Bicol); tagipan (Pampanga); puguhan
(Manobo); patikan(Panay Bisaya, Sulu); pola (Bagobo); takipan
(Sulu).
'
Sow the seeds in a row in seedbed and water them as often as necessary.
Once the seeds germinate and the shoots and leaves are one inch in length,
transfer them to a 4 x 6 in polyethylene bag. The seedlings are placed in a
shaded area to adaptto the environment and can be outplanted when the desired
height had been reached. This can be done during the.onset of the rainy season
for a good survival rate.
.
Common
name,: Kaong or sugar palm
Local name:
Fish tail palm is an erect solitary tree: Its trunk is 5-8 m tall and 10-20 em in
diameter. Lea~s are scattered along the upper part of the trunk, spreading up to
1.5 m lon~ petiole., Leaflets are-numerous and erect, while the apex is irregular
and promment/ytoothed.lnflorescence
is pendulous and up to 80 cm long. Spikes
are numerous, slender, and up to 50 em long. Male flowers are 6-7 mm dull
purplish and yellow. Fruits are spherical, purple, fleshy and 12-17 mm. in diameter.
The seed has a chestnut brown polished surface.
Fish tail palm is widely distributed in the Philippines usually in Luzon areas.
It ,is mostly found in Apayao, La Union, Rizal, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva
Vlscaya, Laguna, Quezon, Mindoro and Palawan. It is also found in Guimaras
Island,Panay Island and Mindanao area.
Food: The young shoot bud or "ubod" is edible. A kind of sago is sometimes
acquired from this palm.
Other beneficial
uses:
Fish tail palm is used as an ornamental plant.
It is
Scientific
Bagatbat (Negros Oriental); batbat, ebiok-ibiok (Bohol); vabo
negro (Spanish/Pilipino): habiok (Capiz); hibiok (Camarines,
Albay, Capiz, Antique); igok (Antique); irok (Zambales, Cavite,
Tayabas, Mindanao); kaong (Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna);
kauing (Bataan); onnau. unau (Misamis, SUrigao); Rapitan (1I0c0s
province).
name: Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr.
Sugar palm is a tall tree reaching a 15 m height and 40 em diameter. It has
long ascending pinnate leaves up to 8.5 m in length \,'lith 100 or more pairs of linear
leaflets. At maturity, huge fruit clusters begin to appear. The male flower, in dense
cluster of 4 ft long and is purple and has unpleasant odor. The female flower duster
are longer than the male and ripen very slowly into glossy brown, plum sized fruit.
Each new flower cluster is borne on a leaf axil. When flowering reaches the lowest
leaf axil and the fruit ripens, the entire spectacle ends and the plant dies. Since
each flower takes about 2 to 5 years to become a ripe fruit, and the fruit are always
available on the trees during this period. Arenga pinnata or Kaong has numerous
crowded green nuts which turn yellow when mature. Fruits are about 5 em in
diameter and contain 2 - 3 seeds.
The palm is widely distributed at low and medium altitudes, in ravines along
streams, and areas under semi-cultivation. Since it is naturally a sylvan species
and its fruits are scattered by wild hogs and fruit bats, it can be occasionally
found in virgin forests.
The palm is generally cultivated in most islands and provinces. It was an
introduced species that has become naturalized. It is usually found growing in
Luzon areas (Rizal, Cavite, Bataan, Laguna, Quezon and in Polillio Island), Biliran,
and in Mindanao areas.
Food~· The buds, either raw or cooked make fine salad. The immature seeds are
also edible. They are boiled with sugar and eaten as sweets. These can be
stored and preserved in bottles. Boiled starch and sap can be used to feed hogs.
Other beneficial uses: Sugar palm yields sugar, starch, fermented drink, alcohol,
and thatching and fibrous materials that are used in industrial work and cottage
industries. The leaves are used for thatching roofs. The midribs of the leaflets are
usually used for round brooms and woven into coarse baskets.
Splits prepared from the petioles are used in making baskets, basketryworl<.s or
tables, stands, screen, boxes, and other light pieces of furniture. The most important
industrial yield of this palm is the black tough fiber locally known as "yumor or "cabo
negrd'. This fiber is produced at the base of the petioles and is used in manufacturing,
cleaning brushes ar:ldthatching materials. The fiber is known for its durability. It can
stand long exposure to either fresh or salt water and is also resistant to fire.
Starch is extracted from the trunk by cutting down the tree. Then, the interior
fibrous parts of the trunk are cut into small pieces. These chips are then crushed,
pulverized, washed with water several times, and then finally dried under the sun.
The estimated yield per tree is about 50-75 kg starch.
The sap tapping process follows. An inflorescencestalk is selected and beaten
with a stick or wooden mallet for a short period each day to loosen the sap from
the tissue. This beating extends about 2 - 3 weeks. The stalk is then cut off at the
base and the sap exuded and is caught in a hallow joint of bamboo. A thin slice is
removed from the cut end off the stalk once or twice each day during the period of
sap flow. Sap yield varies depending on climatic conditions, age of the tree, and
length of time the sap has been flowing out.
12
RISE
Tuba is a fermented kaong sap. Sap fermentation begins in the bamboo tubes
where the sap is collected. Sap distillation produces alcohol.
Sugar is made from kaong by Qoilingits sweet unfermented sap. To avoid
rapid fermentation, a different sap receiver (bamboo joint) is used each day to
collect the sap. Putting crushed ginger or chili pepper in the receiver also prevents
rapid fermentation. Generally; sap is thickened to a desired consistency by boiling
in an opened kettle. The right consistency is reached if the liquid solidifies when
dropped on a cold surface. The sugar produced is brown, similar to the sugar of
buri palms.
Propagation:
Sugar palm can be propagated through seeds.
Nursery I?ractices
Allow the pericarp to soften first by drying (tunder the sun for 7 days. Wash the
seeds and sun dry them for about a week. Soak the seeds in water. Sow the seeds
in a row on the seedboxes. Water them as often as necessary until the seeds
germinate. When shoots and leaves are about 1 in, transfer them into plastic bags
with a mixture of sand, sawdust and garden soil (1:1:1) and place them under a
shaded area. The seedlings are then Qutplanted during the rainy season as soon as
the desired height is reached to ensure a good survival rate.
In establishing a plantation, one should clear the area of vegetation. Dig a
planting hole enough for the seedlings to settle with a spacing of 2 x 2 m. Dried·
leaves are mulched in the plant to maintain moisture content of the soil. Brush
the area every (3) months to make sure that the plant has no vegetation competition.
Fertilize if needed.
Local names:
Anipa, pinok, tata (Ibanag); lasa, pawid (Tagalog); nipa (SpanishPl.); pinog (ltneg); saga (Sambali); sasa (Pampanga, Tagalog).
Description
The rootstock of nipa is stout. Leaves are found at the ends of the rootstock,
5 - 10m long wide, the petiole is stout; leaflets are up to 1 m long and 2-7 m wid.e
numerous, rigid, and slender. Male inflorescence is brown, and up to 1 m In
height. Peduncles of the female inflorescence is stout, 1 m high and fruits are ~
cm in diameter. Carpels are 10-14 em long numerous, dark-brown, striate, smooth'
and 10-14 cm long. Seeds are hard, white and edible.
In a single year, salinity regimes in nipa stands vary every season. Plant
density is normally 2,500 palms per hectare or more. The best planting season
!or nipa is from May to July. The period of development is complete within a span
of four years. During this period, nipa is ready for sap extraction or leaf harvesting.
'---
Local names:
Nipa is widely distributed in the Philippines. It is also found in India, Malaya
SA_G_O
J
Ambolong, ambulong, bagsang, lumbal, lumbia, lumbiag, sagu
(Visayas); lumbia (Bagobo).
up to Tropical Australia.
Economic
uses
Food: Immature fruits are edible. They are boiled with sugar and can be eaten as
sweets. These can be stored and preserved in bottles.
Other beneficial uses: Nipa has many uses. One cut stalk can be a source of
thatching material and wrapper. The sap is a source of alcohol, wine, sugar, ~nd
vinegar. Leaflets are used in making raincoats, sun hats, baskets, and n1pa
shingles.
A stalk of nipa usually gives a continuous sap flowing daily for about 3 months
(Melana 1980). Each palm can yield as much as 43 Ii of sap during the entire
season. From this, a plant can also yield 6.14 Ii of lambanog. Nipa wine contains
50% alcohol. Out of 4.00 Ii of lambanog per hectare, 2,002.5 Ii of alcohol can be
obtained. If a flower stalk produces 43 Ii of sap in the entire season at a sugar
content of 17%, then a plant can yield 12.31 kg of sugar per season.
Sago palm has 6 - 9 pinnate leaves in long and very thick, stems which grow
in clumps. The tree has maximum height of 25 m and diameterof40 cm.Afully
grown tree can have a clear stem length of 20 m. The trunk resembles that of
burL Fruits are in clusters, scaly, round and golden brown, jf mature. Sago .
palms grow well in the Philippines. There are two types: those with spiny leaves
and without spines.
As early as 1918, Brown reported the abundance of sago palm in Central
and Southern Philippines. Specific areas where this plant has been spotted
include Cebu, Negros, Panay, Bohol, Siquijor and many parts of Mindanao.
Phenology
Nipa palm can be propagated through seeds.
Nursery practices
Clear the site of any unwanted vegetation and debris. Mature seeds can be
directly planted in the field. Bury half of the seeds with the larger apical portion
on the ground. Germinated seeds are planted with the swollen portion facing t~e
ground. The first two leaf shoots emerge from these swollen portions. The seeds
should be planted in holes 1.7-2.0 m apart. To enhance prOduction, a wider
spacing of 380 seeds/ha to 500 seeds/ha is recommended.
It grows in valley and along creeks and abundant in freshwater swamps. It
does not thrive well in salty brackish water. There is no updated information on
the current extent and distribution of sago palm throughout the country. However,
it can be found in Luzon areas usually in Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Batangas, and
Bicol provinces.
Food: The trunk contains plenty of starch deposits with a high food value. A
healthy mature tree may have about 6-7 m long trunk containing starch. During
World War II, sago starch served as a good substitute for rice and corn (staple
food) in places where this plant abounds. At present, the starch also serves as
substitute for flour and has a high demand in the world market. Sarawak (an
island in Borneo) is the a chief exporter of sago starch.
The pith can also be toasted and eaten although 'the taste is somewhat
bitter. The shoot in some other palms is also edible. Sago palm can be extracted
and made into wine, vinegar, or sugar.
Sago can be propagated by suckers and produced abundantly at the bases
of the trunk or by seeds. Suckers with unopened buds are best used as planting
materials. While Brown (1918) reported that this palm used to be cultivated in
some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. He gave no detail on how it was planted
and maintained.
Nursery practices
As roofing materials, the thatches made from sago leaves last for about 15-20
years or twice as long as those made from nipa leaves. This compensates for the
difficult work in assembling the prickly sago leaves. The pricks can be avoided by
using crude gloves or mittens made of thick cloth.
In the Philippines, no mechanized method has been developed for the
extraction and processing of sago starch. Those that have been documented
were crude manual methods including the account of Brown (1918). The tree is
felled and crushed. Macerated oil is washed in troughs; the starches suspended
in water; and then allowed to settle.
After several washings, the starch is dried, then stored for use. Sometimes
the pith is cut into ~trips and dried. The dried strips are pulverized in mortars and
then washed as needed.
If seeds are freshly collected from the palm, allow the pericarp to soften by
drying them under the sun for 7 days and remove the pericarp. Wash the seeds
and sun dry them for about a week. Soak sago seeds in tap water for 7 days. The
seeds will germinate within 15 days after placing them in a jute sack. In potting,
the seeds are buried with the apical portion in downward position in the solI.
Plantation establishment
Clear the planting site from debris, shrubs and other unwanted vegetation.
Plant the seedlings in hole prepared with a spacing of 6 x 6 m or 8 x 8 m. In the
absence of potted seedlings, suckers could be potted and transplanted after 1-2
months of hardening. Potting of suckers with unopened buds is done by earthballing to minimize root damage. During outplanting, dig holes as big as the pot
for added compaction and protection.
TAKIPAN
Macaraeg (1984) has also documented in detal! the method employed by the
inhabitants of Zamboanga peninsula in extracting sago starch. The trunk of the
felled tree is cut into 3-4 sections then split into halves. The halves are then
positioned such that their flat sides (exposing the pith) are up. With the aid of a
heavy wooden mallet, a worker pounds on the spondy pUlp of the pith inch by
inch. The freshy pith is crushed while seated in a piece of board or slat placed
across the rim of the hair trunk. This is done to expose its starch content..
The crushed pipe is then washed and pressed repeatedly on an elevated
platform. The floor of the platform serves as a sieve. Flooring is made either of
sticks or split palm fronds laid parallel to each other. A mat of woven rattan nylon
or fabric is bid over this flooring. The crushed pith is placed on this platform and
generously watered and treaded on. In the process, starchy water is sieved dOV'fn
into a container placed under or near the platform. To produce high quality starch,
clean water to washed out starch must be used and utmost sanitation must be
practiced.
Takipan is a large, solitary, erect palm. The trunk measures, up to 15 m tall,
and 17-40 cm in diameter. Leaves are large, up to 3.5 m long; petioles sheathing,
thick, rigid, the edges have fine black hairs. Leaves are numerous, 20-46 cm
long, straight on the lower side, curved and irregularly toothed on the upper,
shinning deep green above and paler beneath. Inflorescence is very large, up to
2m long, the peduncles curved and 10 cm in diameter. Spathes are large, the first
spathes up to 40 cm long and the largest is 1 m long.
Description
Spikes are numerous, about 80-150 cm long. Male flowers are 2 cm in
diameter. Petals are oblong-ovate, dull purplish and yellow measures up 10 mm
long. Female flowers with sepals and petals are round. Fruits are grayish and
occasionally tinged red.
Niog is a tall palm reaching a height of 25 m. The trunk is stout, marked with
annular scars and the base is thickened. Leaves are 4 - 5.5 m long, crowded at
the apex of the trunk. The petiole is stout, .1m or more in length and leaflets are
numerous measuring up to 1 m in length. Inflorescence is 1 m long or less. Fruits
vary in shape and size, oblong, ovoid, 3-angled, and 15 - 25 cm long. Albumen
lines up the bony endocarps.
Takipan thrives in primary forest at low and medium altitude and occasionally
cultivated in settled areas. It is widely distributed in Luzon areas like Cagayan,
Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Sorsogon, and Mindoro. In Mindanao areas. It is mostly
found In Agusan, Davao, Cotabato, and also in the province of Negros.
Food: The young shoot bud (ubod) can be eaten raw or cooked.
Other beneficial
Propagation:
uses: The palm is cultivated for ornamental purposes.
Takipan can be propagated through seeds.
Distribution
Coconut palm is widely distributed in the archipelago. probably not a native
of the Philippines but from Polynesia.
Food: Fruits of coconut are edible and can be preserved as sweets. It yields oil
forfood and lard.
Other beneficial uses: It yields timber, fermented anq unfermented drinks,
alcohol, vinegar, and thatching material.
Nursery practices
Seeds are sown in a seedboxes. Water them as often as necessary for them
to germinate. Transfer and pot the seedlings in a plastic bag of 4 x 6 in size and
harden them untifthey are ready for outplanting on the onset of the rainy season.
Plantation
establishment
The area selected should be cleared of vegetation and some other shrubs.
The seedlings are then planted in the hole prepared with a distance of 3 x 3 m.
Dried leaves are mulched in the plant to allow moisture in the soil.
Nursery practices
Mature fruits are stored in one place until they germinate. Once germination
takes place, wait until 4 - 6 leaves appe~r and the roots are already established.
They are ready for outplanting during the onset of the rainy season.
Plantation
establishment
The site selected should be cleared and brushed with vegetation. Dig a hole
enough for the seedlings to settle and make sure that the hole Is deep for the
roots to establish. Spacing is 4 x 4 m for each seedling. MUlch with newly -cut
leaves to allow moisture the soil. Brushing and clearing the area every two months
is adequate.
Brown, W.H. 1954. Useful Plants of the Philippines. Department of Agriculture
and Natural Resources. Technical Bulletin. Bureau of Printing. Manila,
Philippines.
De Guzman, E.D. and E.S. Fernando. 1981. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna.
Vol. 1 NRMC, MNR Quezon City.
Quimbo, L. L. 1988. Nipa (Nypa fruticansWurmb) in retrospect. Diamond Jubilee
Professorial Lecture delivered on June 30, 1988 at UPLB, College, Laguna
Tikog
(Fimbristylis gJobulosa)
Compiled by
Rogelio M. Calinawan
Wilma C. Dichoso
Lucas L. Gonzales
and
Arnel A. Lansigan
RISE RISE
Local names:
Anahunan (Manobo and Cebu); anahuan (Subanon), badangbadang
(liocos
Region);
nuta (Pampanga);
pakupakuan
(Bulacan); sudsud (Bukidnon); tikog (Eastern Visayas, Panay,
Cebu).
Tikog is a sedge plant that usually grows in marshland areas in the Philippines,
especially in Leyte, Samar, Bohol and Mindanao. The plant grows and develops
into clips of several stalks which are 1 to 3 m long and 4 mm wide. These stalks
are the sources of raw materials for the production of mats, handbags, placemats,
baskets, tobacco cases and other novelty handicraft production in Regions 8 and
1O.ln some sites, mature stalk grows up to 1.5 m long and 2 to 3 mm wide.
Tikog has linear concave pinlike leaves with basal attachment. The stems or
stalks are pliant, pithy, tufty, shiny and smooth. Tikog's inflorescence is apical,
simple or compound with 1 to 40 spikelets, borne in small branching stalks
clustered into dusky brown spikes. The largest inflorescences are umbellate,
which are 3-10 cm long.
Spikelets are solitary, sometimes globose ovoid or ellipsoid to cylindrical and
densely. They are multi-flowered measuring about 4 to 8 mm x 3 to 4 mm. Flowers
are bisexual with 2 to 3 stamens, anthers are oblong to linear.
Tikog stalks are the sources of raw materials for the production of mats,
handbags, placemats, baskets, tobacco cases and other novelty handicrafts.
The species has originated from Southeast Asia and is widely distributed in
India, China to Micronesia qnd Polynesia. It is growing in Malaysia, Indonesia
and throughout the Philippines. The plant is considered as a Weed in ricefields.
Area to be planted should be cleared of weeds, grasses and other debris.
Cultivation can be done using planting hoes, blunt bolos and pick mattocks. If the
site is a riceland, plowing is commonly employed.
Tikog grows naturally in marshland areas in the Philippines, but is more
abundant in Mindanao, Bohol, Leyte and Samar. It grows at low altitude in settled
areas, wet swampy places and abandoned rice paddies. It is found and utilized t6 .
a less degree in Panayand Negros.
Suckers can be planted at a distance of 25 x 25 em. More harvestable stalks
are produced at this spacing. Also, yield increases as longer stalks are produced.
When clumps are planted closely, this provides support for the stalks to grow
upwards.
A well-drained marshy area, with soil high in organic matter or peat is an
ideal site for planting Tikog. Tikog also thrives in clay-loam or sandy-loam soil
with continuous adequate moisture all year round. It grows abundantly in rice
paddies where the soil is always wet.
Closer spacing of 25 x 25 cm produced taller stalks, more utilizable stalks
per clump and greater yield per unit area than spacing of 50 x 50 x 100 em.
From a spacing of 10 x 10em; 15 x 15m and20x
25cm, the wider distance
of plants yielded the most harvestable stalks and the closer spacing yielded
longer but fewer stalks.
Tikog can be propagated by seeds and suckers. The plant is best propagated
through suckers.
The area to be planted should
be cleared of weeds, grasses and other debris
using planting hoe, bolos and pick mattocks. If the site is a riceland, plowing is
Tikog can b¢ propagated by seeds using the right germination media and
commonly employed.
higher seedling survival could be ascertained when supplied with adequate amount
of water. Wet or muddy soil with pasty consistency just enough for the seeds to
stick on is the ideal germination media for Tikog.
In unirrigated marshland, the ideal time for field planting is during the onset of
the rainy season. In areas where water is available all-year-round, outplanting
can be done anytime of the year.
Before planting, plow the area and harrow twice or more if necessary to
reduce weed growth. If there are taUgrasses or sedge species of about a man's
height, clear brush before plowing. If only short grasses are found, direct plowing
may be -done. After ptowing, harrow the area until it is leveled and freed from
vegetation.
Population density of 80,000 plants/ha could be adopted for Tikog production
to give a higher yield of the crop per unit area and to minimize the production of
non-utilizable stalks.
On the third year, when the clumps have grown and expanded, the yield
increased to 34,763,592 million stalks by 250%.
Tikog grows up to an average of 1.47 cm daily for the first 20 days from
planting. The harvestable stalks can reach an average length of 162.52 cm.
When the harvested stalks are sorted and bundled, it is assumed that 70%
of the harvested stalks are long.
At a 25 x 25 m spacing, a hectare of Tikog has a population density of
160,000 plants. A one-hectare Tikog plantation can produce as much as 2,520,000 - .
harvestable stalks per harvest period. There are four harvest periods in one year.
On the average, there are 15 harvestable stalks per clump per harvest period.
Annually, an estimated 10,080,000 stalks can be harvested from a one-hectare
Thirty percent (30%) constitute the short stalks and 220 of these make up
one bundle.
Tikogplantation.
Tikog planted using the planting density of 250,000 plants/ha got the highest
yield of 1.89 million stalks followed by 3.23 million stalks observed under planting
density of 81,633 plants/ha. The least yield was recorded under the planting
density of 6,625 plants/ha which yielded only 1.17 million stalks/ha.
First year
P 70,270.00
Second year
P251 ,606.00
Thkdyear
P557,839.00
For a one-hectare Tikog plantation with a 25 x 25 cm spacing, a farmer needs
P122,962 (for plantation establishment and maintenance).
Forty-eight percent (48%) ofthe amount or P59,216 is spent on (1) harvesting,
There are only two known major pests: Tikog stemborer and the Golden
Apple snail.
(2) bundling and (3) drying.
A stemborer can be detected through the yellOWingof the leaves. The larvae
Forty-three percent (43%) of P52,568 is incurred for (1) site preparation, (2)
planting stock preparation, (3) collection, (4) planting and (5) maintenance activities.
of Tikog stem borer can be found feeding inside the stalks usually starting from
the base of the clump.
On the other hand, the Golden Apple snail is the same pest that infests
ricefields. This pest inflicts damage on the stalks and clumps of Tikog. To control
One hectare Tikog plantation with a spacing of 25 x 25 cm can produce an
average of 9,932,455 million stalks (first year).
and minimize the population of snails, water logging of the plantation should be
avoided.
On the second year, the yield is expected to increase by 75% from the
previous year of 17,796 million stalks.
: part of the stamen in seed plants that develops and contains
pollen and is usually borne on the stalk
Apical
: relating to the apex or tip in the growth of the plant
Basketwork
: articles of planting materials
Clump
: a closely compact group of plants
Concave
: having a shape that is curving inward
The Philippines
Recommends
for Tikog Production:
PCARRD
Philippine
Recommends Series 78.
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