Tree of the MONTH (Part2) Gubas - Endospermum peltatum (Merr.)

Physical Characteristics

The gubas is a medium-sized tree to fairly large tree reaching a height of up to 35 meters tall and up to 60 centimeters in diameter at breast height.

The bark’s surface is smooth, grey-brown with an orange tinge, and has an unpleasant odor. Its inner bark is hard and yellow-brown in color.

Its leaves are simple and spiral, sometimes peltate, elliptic to ovate-oblong or sub-orbicular, measure 11-25 x 9-18 centimeters, and rounded to cordate in shape at base.

The midrib with four to nine pairs of lateral veins often carries a gland beneath. The petioles measure 10-15 centimeters long and each has two cylindrical glands at the apex.

Flowers of gubas are axillary, has long paniculiform inflorescences, and densely pubescent. Male flowers have about 11 stamens while female flowers have two- to three-celled ovary.

Its fruit is globose, two- or three-lobed, and indehiscent.

Distribution

Gubas is an endemic species found primarily at low altitudes in Cagayan, Benguet, Bataan, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Camarines, Albay, and Sorsogon Provinces in Luzon. It is also found in Mindoro and Mindanao.

Method of propagation

The species is mainly propagated by seeds. Seedling growth may be improved by applying fertilizer at the time of planting.

Contemporary use

The gubas is an important source of lightweight hardwood especially used for matches, various kinds of sticks, wooden shoes, pulp and paper, toothpick, plywood core, clogs, pencil slats, floats, chopsticks, and ice cream spoons. This tree is used in reforestation project. The spiral shavings of its wood are used as core material in the manufacture of a panel locally known in the Philippines as placarol because of their resistance to compression perpendicular to the direction of the spiral. It could also be used for concrete shuttering, temporary construction, veneer packing, and interior joinery.

Traditional use

Bark extracts taken internally is considered an effective way for bowel evacuation. A poultice of the fresh bark is applied to the abdomen in diarrhea.

How to plant your gubas seedling

Clear the area where you want to plant your seedling with unwanted weeds and debris. Make sure that a one-meter radius is kept free from other vegetation. Dig a plant hole with dimensions of at least 20 cm x 20 cm x 20 cm. Plant the seedling at proper depth. Root collar should be at level with or a little below the ground surface with the seedling oriented upward. Fill the hole with top or garden soil and press soil firmly around the base of the seedling. In plantation-making, seedlings should maintain a two-meter distance between seedlings if planted in a row of a three-meter distance from one strip to the next strip.

How to take care of your gubas seedling

Remove grass and other unwanted vegetation and cultivate the soil around the base of the seedling (50 cm radius) once in every quarter for two to three years. Place mulch around the base of the seedling (maintaining the 50 cm radius and using cut grass, leaves, and other suitable materials as mulch base). Prune the branches at most 50 percent of the crown depth, preferably during dry season, and ensure that when pruning, you do not injure the bark. Remove infected or infested vegetation nearby to stop plant diseases from spreading and contaminating your seedling. Monitor regularly the growth of the seedling for presence of pests and diseases.

Data about native tree species are featured by the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. For comments and suggestions, e-mail [email protected].