Flora of the Philippines

Cavite State University

Imus Campus

Common Name: Kamias (Tagalog), Kalingiwa (Bisaya), Cucumber
tree (English)
Field No: 1
Collector: Debbie B. de Guzman
Island/Province: Cavite
Locality: Cultivated and semi-cultivated throughout the Philippines
Habitat: This is essentially a tropical tree, less resistant to cold than
the carambola, growing best in rich and well-drained soil (but also
stands limestone and sand)
Altitude above Sea Level: 38 to 87 meters
Tree
Height of the Plant: 5 to 12 meters
Diameter of the Plant: 8 to 10 cm
Fruit: Fruit is green and edible, about 4 centimeters long,
subcylindric, or with 5 obscure, broad, rounded, longitudinal lobes.
Special Notes: Study evaluated a crude methanolic extract of fruit
and its various fractions for in vitro cytotoxic potential using the
brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Results showed a significant
cytotoxic potential and a potential source for the isolation of active
principle/s for cancer therapy.
Economic Use: Very acid kamias are employed to clean the blade of
a kris (dagger), and they serve as mordants in the preparation of an
orange dye for silk fabrics. Kamias juice, because of its oxalic acid
content, is useful for bleaching stains from the hands and rust from
white cloth, and also tarnish from brass.
Date: September 14, 2013


Flora of the Philippines
Cavite State University
Imus Campus

Common Name: Sambong (Tagalog), Lalakdan (Bisaya), Blumea
camphor (English)
Field No: 2
Collector: Debbie B. de Guzman
Island/Province: Cavite
Locality: The genus Blumea is found in the tropical and sub-tropical
zones of Asia, especially the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Common in open fields, grasslands and waste areas at low
and medium altitudes.
Altitude above Sea Level: 38 to 87 meters
Shrub
Height of the Plant: 1 to 4 meters
Diameter of the Plant: 2.5 centimeters
Fruit: Fruits are achenes, dry, 1-seeded, 10-ribbed, hairy at top.
Special Notes: Sambong used in-vitro showed dissolution of urinary
stones, with a faster activity on uric acid stones. No significant effect
was noted with struvite and calcium stones.
Economic Use: Being promoted by the Department of Health (DOH)
as a diuretic and for dissolution of renal stones. One of a few herbs
recently registered with the Bureau of Foods and Drugs as medicines.
Date: September 14, 2013












Flora of the Philippines
Cavite State University
Imus Campus

Common Name: Kantutay (Tagalog), Bahug-bahug (Bisaya), Stink
grass (English)
Field No: 3
Collector: Debbie B. de Guzman
Island/Province: Cavite
Locality: Native of tropical America.
Habitat: A gregarious weed in the Philippines, in settled areas in
thickets and waste places at low and medium altitudes
Altitude above Sea Level: 38 to 87 meters
Shrub
Height of the Plant: 1 to 2 meters
Diameter of the Plant: 1 centimeter
Fruit: Fruit is drupaceous, sweet tasting, purple or black, fleshy
ovoid, and about 5 millimeters long.
Special Notes: In some countries, considered an invasive weed,
earning the name, "Jekyll and Hyde of plants." It releases chemicals
in its surroundings, preventing germination of the native flora. It is
wont to form dense thickets, spreads very quickly, with one plant
producing as many as 12,000 seeds a year.
Economic Use: In the Philippines, decoction of fresh roots used as
gargle for toothaches, and a decoction of the leaves and fruits to clean
wounds.
Date: September 14, 2013