Balete tree

Last updated

Balete tree from a Philippine forest, photographed in 1911 Balete from Forest of the Philippines plate8 part2.jpg
Balete tree from a Philippine forest, photographed in 1911
A balete tree near Tagkawayan in southern Luzon, Philippines Balete Tree.jpg
A balete tree near Tagkawayan in southern Luzon, Philippines

The balete tree (also known as balite or baliti) are several species of trees in the Philippines from the genus Ficus , which are broadly referred to as balete in the local language. A number of these are strangler figs , as they germinate upon other trees, before entrapping their host tree entirely and eventually killing it. Consequently the young plants are hemiepiphytes, i.e. epiphytes or air plants that grow several hanging roots which eventually touch the ground and take root. Some baletes produce natural rubber of an inferior quality. The Indian rubber tree, F. elastica , was formerly cultivated to some extent for rubber. Some of the species like tangisang-bayawak or Ficus variegata are large and could probably be utilized for match wood. The wood of Ficus species are soft, light, and of inferior quality, and the trees usually have ill-formed, short boles. [1]

Contents

List of species which shares the common name of Balete

Ornamental use

Baletes are planted as graceful trees along avenues in Manila and other large cities in the Philippines, and they are also excellent as shade trees. [4] Several species of the tree are also use for bonsai making in the country. [17] [18]

Baletes are used as houseplants; [19] however, it is a source of indoor household allergens which may cause respiratory allergy. [9]

Local folklore

Balete Drive, allegedly one of the most haunted places of Quezon city, Philippines 7975Balete Drive Quezon City Landmarks 05.jpg
Balete Drive, allegedly one of the most haunted places of Quezon city, Philippines

In some areas of the country, some people believe that balete trees are dwelling places for supernatural beings ( anito ) like diwata , kapre or tikbalang . In some places, sorcery rituals are known performed inside the chambers formed by the tree. [20] Also among others, some superstitious folks suggest not bringing in balete as decorative plants inside a house as they allegedly invite ghosts. [9]

Balete Drive in New Manila, Quezon City, named after a enormous balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the city. The tale of a white lady appears at night hailing cars that drive by has been circulated since the 1950s. [21]

Extreme examples

See also

Related Research Articles

<i>Ficus</i> Genus of flowering plants in the mulberry family Moraceae

Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes and hemiepiphytes in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The common fig (F. carica) is a temperate species native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region, which has been widely cultivated from ancient times for its fruit, also referred to as figs. The fruit of most other species are also edible though they are usually of only local economic importance or eaten as bushfood. However, they are extremely important food resources for wildlife. Figs are also of considerable cultural importance throughout the tropics, both as objects of worship and for their many practical uses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siquijor</span> Province in Central Visayas, Philippines

Siquijor, officially the Province of Siquijor, is a Philippine island province located within the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the municipality of Siquijor, Siquijor. The province lies south of Cebu, southeast of Negros Oriental, southwest of Bohol and north of Mindanao.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Negros Oriental</span> Province in Central Visayas, Philippines

Negros Oriental, officially the Province of Negros Oriental, is a province in the Philippines located in the Central Visayas region. Its capital is the city of Dumaguete. It occupies the southeastern half of the large island of Negros, and borders Negros Occidental, which comprises the northwestern half. It also includes Apo Island, a popular dive site for both local and foreign tourists.

<i>Ficus benjamina</i> Species of fig

Ficus benjamina, commonly known as weeping fig, benjamin fig or ficus tree, and often sold in stores as just ficus, is a species of flowering plant in the family Moraceae, native to Asia and Australia. It is the official tree of Bangkok. The species is also naturalized in the West Indies and in the states of Florida and Arizona in the United States. It is one of the most common trees in Israeli cities and parks. In its native range, its small fruit are favored by some birds.

<i>Ficus microcarpa</i> Species of fig

Ficus microcarpa, also known as Chinese banyan, Malayan banyan, Indian laurel, curtain fig, or gajumaru (ガジュマル), is a tree in the fig family Moraceae. It is native in a range from China through tropical Asia and the Caroline Islands to Australia. It is widely planted as a shade tree and frequently misidentified as the Balete tree: F. retusa or F. nitida.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canlaon</span> Component city in Negros Oriental, Philippines

Canlaon, officially the City of Canlaon, is a 4th class component city in the province of Negros Oriental, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 58,822 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balete, Aklan</span> Municipality in Aklan, Philippines

Balete, officially the Municipality of Balete, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Aklan, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 30,090 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larena</span> Municipality in Siquijor, Philippines

Larena, officially the Municipality of Larena, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 14,454 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lazi, Siquijor</span> Municipality in Siquijor, Philippines

Lazi, officially the Municipality of Lazi, is a 4th class municipality in the province of Siquijor, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 22,488.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siquijor, Siquijor</span> Capital of Siquijor, Philippines

Siquijor, officially the Municipality of Siquijor, is a 4th class municipality and capital of the province of Siquijor, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 28,915 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Aurora, Aurora</span> Municipality in Aurora, Philippines

Maria Aurora, officially the Municipality of Maria Aurora, is the only landlocked and 2nd class municipality in the province of Aurora, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 44,958 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balete, Batangas</span> Municipality in Batangas, Philippines

Balete, officially the Municipality of Balete, is a 5th class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 24,055 people. The people from Balete is called Baleteños.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lemery, Batangas</span> Municipality in Batangas, Philippines

Lemery, officially the Municipality of Lemery, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines. According to the 2020 census, it has a population of 93,186 people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malvar</span> Municipality in Batangas, Philippines

Malvar, officially the Municipality of Malvar, is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Batangas, Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balete Drive</span> Street in Quezon City, Philippines

Balete Drive is an undivided, two-lane street and the main thoroughfare of New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines. The road is a major route for jeepneys and cabs, serving the New Manila area and connecting Eulogio Rodriguez Sr. Avenue and Nicanor Domingo Street in Quezon City.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aurora Boulevard</span> Road in the Philippines

Aurora Boulevard is a four-to-ten lane major thoroughfare in Quezon City and San Juan in Metro Manila, Philippines. It was named after Doña Aurora Quezon, the consort of Commonwealth President Manuel Luis Quezon. It is one of the major roads in the commercial district of Araneta City in Cubao. Line 2 follows the alignment of the boulevard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lazi Church</span> Roman Catholic church in Siquijor, Philippines

The San Isidro Labrador Parish Church, commonly known as Lazi Church, is a Roman Catholic church in the municipality of Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines within the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Dumaguete. It became an independent parish in 1857 under the advocacy of Saint Isidore the Laborer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Port of Dumaguete</span> Port in the Philippines

The Port of Dumaguete is a seaport in Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, Philippines. It is owned and managed by the Philippine Ports Authority and is the base port of the Port Management Office of Negros Oriental/Siquijor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mariana, Quezon City</span> Barangay in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Mariana, is an administrative division in eastern Metro Manila, the Philippines. It is an urban barangay in Quezon City in a middle class residential and commercial area known as New Manila, which includes Barangay Mariana and the adjacent Barangay Damayang Lagi.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2", p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  2. 1 2 3 Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of Mindoro", p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908.
  4. 1 2 "Ficus benjamina Linn." Archived August 12, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  5. (2011-02-08). "Balete (Ficus benjamina var. nuda)" Archived February 18, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . The Indi Journal. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  6. "Ficus benjamina (Linn.) var. nuda (Miq.)" Archived March 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine . University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  7. Bonsai King (December 14, 2009). "Balete-Ficus concina". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
  8. "Ficus concinna (Miquel)". Flora of China. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Stuart, Godofredo. "Balete". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.
  10. Botany Department (2003-02). "Ficus forstenii" [ permanent dead link ]. University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 24, 2011.
  11. "Baleting-baging". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  12. "Ficus Payapa". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry.Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  13. Bonsai King (February 19, 2010). "Balete-Ficus philipinenses. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
  14. "Marabutan". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  15. "Marabutan". Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  16. "Balete – Scientific name: Ficus stipulosa Miq. Linn." Archived February 11, 2020, at the Wayback Machine . Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.
  17. Bonsai King (February 4, 2010). "Bonsai Database". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
  18. "Bonsai in the Philippines" Archived September 11, 2011, at the Wayback Machine . Bonsai in Asia Guidebook. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  19. "Ficus Plants—How to Grow Healthy Ficus Trees". Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  20. Brillantes, RC (February 5, 2009). "The Mysterious Balete Tree". the green cloud. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.
  21. "Myths Surrounding Balete Drive". Philippine Insider. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  22. Austria, Kelly (December 7, 2010). "The Big Tree of Canlaon City". Follow My Trail. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.
  23. Gorospe, Marjorie (April 18, 2011). "Centuries-old balete tree attracts tourists in Aurora town". Yahoo News Philippines. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.
  24. Administrator. "The Old Enchanted Tree in Siquijor". Siquijor Tour. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.
  25. "Sightseeing - Nature Areas and Beaches". Discover Aurora. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.