Pittosporum resiniferum

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Petroleum nut
Pittosporum resiniferum, the Kerosene Fruit. (13908120943).jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Apiales
Family: Pittosporaceae
Genus: Pittosporum
Species:
P. resiniferum
Binomial name
Pittosporum resiniferum
Synonyms [2] [3]
  • Pittosporum resiniferum var. orbiculatumMerr.

Pittosporum resiniferum, the resin cheesewood [4] or petroleum nut, is a tree that grows in the Philippines and Malaysia, particularly in the wilderness surrounding the Mayon Volcano and in the Cordillera of the Philippines and Mount Kinabalu of Sabah, Malaysia. [1] The petroleum nut derives its name from the resemblance of the fruit's odor to petroleum-based fuels. The fruits of the tree burn brightly when ignited, and can be used for illumination as torches or candles. [5] Its fruit is also highly suitable for use in producing biofuel. This use has been encouraged by the Philippines Department of Agrarian Reform and the Philippine Coconut Authority. [6]

In the Philippine Cordilleras petroleum nut is locally known as apisang, abkel, abkol and da-il, is found among other trees like oak and other mossy forest species. It can also grow well with pine trees. [7]

The oil obtained from the fruit contains a dihydroterpene(C10H18) [8] and also considerable quantities of normal heptane, which had only once before been found in nature, occurring in the Grey Pine ( Pinus sabiniana ) of California. The oil can also be distilled into a very pure form of n-Heptane. [9]

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Michael Bengwayan is a Filipino environmental activist best known for his advocacy of using the Petroleum nut as an alternative bio-fuel in the Philippines, and his involvement with advocacies to save trees from being cut, notably the Save 182 Movement which petitioned to stop the earth-balling 182 trees at Luneta Hill, Baguio, by mall developer SM, and the campaign to stop the cutting of 1,200 trees along the Manila North Road, in the towns of Binalonan and Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.

References

  1. 1 2 Sugau, John B. (1995). "Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl.". In Soepadmo, E.; Wong, K. M. (eds.). Tree Flora of Sabah and Sarawak. (free online from the publisher, lesser resolution scan PDF versions). Vol. 1. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. p. 303. ISBN   983-9592-34-3. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 27, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2012.
  2. "Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  3. "Pittosporum resiniferum Hemsl". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
  4. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Pittosporum resiniferum". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  5. Duke Energy Handbook www.hort.purdue.edu. Accessed May 17, 2007
  6. Bengwayan, Michael (November 15, 2010). "Petroleum Nut: Sustainable, Wonder Biofuel". Pine Tree Cordillera Ecological Center. Ideas Connection. Retrieved November 17, 2010.
  7. Malanes, Maurice (December 27, 2011). "Social network paves way for interest in fuel-producing tree". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved January 2, 2012.
  8. "Pittosporum resiniferum".
  9. "Pittosporum resiniferum Petroleum nut PFAF Plant Database".