Common Name: Babaysakan

General Information

Lithocarpus solerianus is an evergreen tree growing around 10 - 35 metres tall with a bole that can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of food and materials. The wood is also harvested from the wild and traded internationally[].
Lithocarpus solerianus has a relatively large range but, even though considered widely distributed, a continuous decline of its population is still expected due to unabated threats to its natural habitats such as urbanization, unsustainable farming practices, commodity-driven deforestation, and large-scale forestry operations, The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Philippines

Habitat

Lowland to mid-elevation dipterocarp forests, ridge forests associated with Agathis species, and in moist mossy cloud forest; at elevations from 250 - 1,350 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Insects, Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Lithocarpus solerianus is a plant of the moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations up to 1,350 metres[]. The varous species in this genus usually grow in regions where there can be year-round rainfall, generally disliking dry seasons.
In the wild, Lithocarpus species are mainly found in well-drained soils, often growing on slopes. In cultivation they tend to be tolerant of a range of soil textures and to prefer an acid to neutral pH. Young plants usually grow sucessfully in the shade of woodland, but older trees like a more sunny position.

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or cooked[]. The acorn-like ovoid fruit is dark chocolate-brown, 15 - 22mm long and 18 - 20mm in diameter,with a woody wall less than 1mm thick and mainly free from the cupule[].
The seed (or acorn) is a rich source of carbohydrates and would almost certainly have been eaten by traditional peoples, especially in times of shortage. The main disadvantage is that the seed is also likely to contain bitter-tasting, astringent tannins. Traditionally, these tannins would have been largely removed either by leaching the seeds in water or by baking them. The seeds can be eaten raw but would usually be cooked whole or be dried and ground into a powder that can then be used to make a gruel, or as a thickener in soups and stews, or as an additive to flour for making bread, cakes etc[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark of most species is rich in tannins and can be used as a dye and preservative for ropes etc[].

The wood is used locally for making food containers, benches, tools for winnowing of rice etc[]. It is also traded where it is used mainly for construction purposes, and for the production of furniture and tools[].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it quickly loses viability if it is allowed to dry out. It can be stored moist and cool, but is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a nursery seed bed, though it must be protected from mice, squirrels etc. Small quantities of seed can be sown in deep pots in a cold frame. Plants produce a deep taproot and need to be planted out into their permanent positions as soon as possible, in fact seed sown in situ will produce the best trees[]. Trees should not be left in a nursery bed for more than 2 growing seasons without being moved or they will transplant very badly.

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: 6 add another 6 is?