Common Name:

General Information

Dillenia philippinensis is a densely shrubby, small, evergreen tree branching from quite low down on the bole and growing up to 17 metres tall[, ]. The bole is about 60cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild, mainly for its fruit which is used as a food, medicine and hair shampoo[]. The tree has been planted experimentally in Cuba as a fruit tree[]. The tree is very ornamental, with large, showy flowers, but is seldom cultivated[].
The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Philippines.

Habitat

Primary forests and also in the more open, secondary formations, growing at low and medium elevations, rarely found above 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fleshy sepals of the fruit are eaten[]. Recommended for preserves[].

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. The soft, fleshy, green pulp has a flavour somewhat like an apple[, ]. Somewhat acid, it makes a refreshing snack when travelling, but it is more commonly cooked[]. It makes an excellent sauce or jam[]. The rounded fruit is about 5 - 6cm in diameter[].

Medicinal

A cough syrup is made from the fleshy sepals of the fruit[, ].

Other Uses

A red dye is obtained from the bark[, , ].

The fruit pulp is used as a hair shampoo[, , ].

A useful timber[].
We do not have any more specific information on this species, but the following is a general description of the wood in this genus:-
Excepting for a wide range of colour, from light brick red to very dark reddish brown, the wood of all the Philippine species of Dillenia is practically identical in general appearance as well as in structure, and is
known in the Philippine market as catmon.
The heartwood is light brick red to dark reddish brown; it is not sharply demarcated from the pale red sapwood. The texture is rather coarse in appearance; the grain sometimes fairly straight, but generally very curly and twisted, hence difficult to split; somewhat lustrous; without distinctive odour or taste. The wood is hard; heavy, somewhat durable and is not attacked by beetles. It seasons well, checking and warping very little. It is difficult to saw, the very fine sawdust tends to clog the saw, but is otherwise fairly easy to work. It can be used for posts above stumps; beams, joists, rafters; flooring; sheathing and ceiling; furniture and cabinetwork; musical instruments; paving blocks and mine timbers (impregnated). A wood that, on account of its unusual flake grain, should be much more used for cabinetwork and would make a most beautiful veneer[].

Propagation

Seed -

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