Balete tree

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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 enourmous 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

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<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.

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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.
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