Plants (Flora) Archives - Cultural Mapping of Panay and Guimaras

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Korona ka Amo, locally known in Tubungan, Iloilo, also called the Rafflesia, or “Uruy and Karay-a” in other areas of Panay, is a rare and giant flower that grows as a parasite on Tetrastigma vines in the rainforest. This plant has no leaves, stem, or roots and only appears when its large, red, foul-smelling flowers bloom for just a few days to attract flies for pollination. It is endemic to the Philippines and can be found in select upland areas like Brgy. Igtuble, Tubungan, where locals deeply respect its presence and associate it with forest-dwelling monkeys. The species is under ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

TIGBAW

Iloilo, Tigbauan

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Tigbaw, also known as wild sugarcane or talahib, is a tall native grass commonly found along riverbanks like the Sibalom River in Tigbauan, Iloilo. It has long, green leaves with serrated edges and white, silky flower plumes. The town of Tigbauan got its name from this plant through a misunderstood conversation between a local and a visitor, showing how deeply tied the plant is to the area’s identity. Tigbaw is also valued for its beauty, often used in decorations and adding charm to riverbanks, especially with upcoming esplanade projects. Although it’s not endangered, Tigbaw faces threats from urbanization, fire, and ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

MIAGOS

Iloilo, Miagao

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Miagos, is a native shrub commonly found along riverbanks in some barangays of Miagao, Iloilo. It has long, pointed, smooth leaves that become slimy when wet, and produces small round fruits in bunches. The plant has no flowers or fragrance, and its brown roots are used in traditional medicine to treat arthritis and liver problems. The name Miagao is believed to have come from this plant, which was abundant when the Spaniards arrived, making it culturally significant. Although classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, the plant faces threats from pollution, especially plastic waste, flash floods, and pests, and ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

GUIMBAL VANISHING MANSION

Guimbal, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Guimbal Vanishing Mansion is a century-old acacia tree, located in front of Gate 1 of Guimbal National High School, known for its wide canopy and eerie stories. Though exotic and native of South America, it has adapted well in the Philippines and is visible in some barangays, growing as a perennial tree. Local legends say a mysterious mansion sometimes appears near the tree, along with ghostly figures like a white lady, a kapre, and dwendes, adding to its spooky reputation. One well-known story involves a taxi driver who saw a beautiful mansion vanish into the acacia tree after dropping ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

AMORPHOPHALLUS

Batad, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

Amorphophallus, also called Yaoi, is an herbaceous plant endemic to rainforests where it thrives in moist, warm conditions. It produces a unique flowering structure with male and female flowers that bloom at different times to avoid self-pollination, and it emits a strong odor like rotten meat to attract insects for pollination. This rare plant has no leaves or fruit but produces seeds dispersed by birds after flowering. Found unexpectedly in Batad, its presence surprised local environmental officers and led to investigations on how it adapted to this new area. Conservation efforts by local and national agencies are ongoing to protect ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

BULUBANATE

Banate, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Bulubanate or Orange Jasmine, also called Kamuning, is a fragrant shrub that grows in forests and open fields but is mostly planted in gardens and streets for its attractive flowers and scent. The plant has white, sweet-smelling flowers and red, oval fruits, and its leaves produce a small amount of aromatic oil. It is a perennial plant seen throughout all barangays in Banate and is mainly used for ornamental and edible purposes. Local stories link the plant’s fragrance to good luck, adding cultural value to its beauty. Although common and cultivated, there is little awareness or conservation action in ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

ANILAO TREE

Anilao, Iloilo

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Anilao Tree, is a native perennial tree found in some barangays of Anilao, Iloilo, growing up to 36 feet tall with whitish or brown wood. Its leaves are rough with serrated edges, and the fruit has four double wings containing seeds. The tree is valued locally for its bark, which is used to make bark cloth, and its parts are used in making rope and preserving krill. Historically, the tree is important because the town of Anilao was named after it, reflecting a tradition of naming places after local plants. The tree faces threats like deforestation, climate change, and ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

DAO TREE

Capiz, Dao, Poblacion Ilawod

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Dao tree, also known as Pacific Walnut, is a native perennial tree found in some barangays of Dao, Capiz, and can grow up to 45 meters tall with wide, strong trunks. It has small white-green flowers, edible fruits, and large green leaves, with older generations using its parts for food, medicine, furniture, and soil protection. The tree holds historical and cultural value, once used by traders as a shade, and now standing as a symbol of the town&apos;s identity, even giving the municipality its name. Today, it is considered vulnerable due to its difficulty in propagation and the decreasing ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

SEREGUELAS

Antique, Balud, Tobias Fornier

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The Serequelas, also known as Seneguelas or Spanish Plum Tree, is a native perennial tree found in dry tropical areas like Brgy. Balud, Tobias Fornier, Antique. It thrives in varied habitats such as farmlands and coastal areas, producing edible fruits often eaten with salt and vinegar. The tree is valued not only for its ornamental flowers but also for its medicinal bark. Local stories say some Sineguelas trees in Brgy. Balud are over a hundred years old, with fruits prized for their sweetness and resilience. Despite threats from urban development, local residents maintain and propagate the tree mainly for personal ...

Natural Heritage, Plants (Flora)

ANAHAW

Antique, Purok 7, Sibalom

February 18, 2026

CMPG

The anahaw is a native tree commonly found in Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, thriving in low to medium altitude forests, swamps, and mangrove edges. It is visible in some barangays such as Purok 7, San Juan, Sibalom Antique. The tree features large, nearly round palmately lobed leaves about 1.2 meters wide, arranged spirally around its trunk, with flowers appearing in clusters on long stalks. Traditionally, anahaw leaves are valued in rural communities for practical uses like roofing in typhoon-prone areas, wrapping tikoy (rice cake), or serving as simple lunchboxes for schoolchildren. The plant plays an important cultural and functional ...

KORONA KA AMO

Cultural Mapping Of Panay and Guimaras

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