Kamandiis: Philippine endemic still growing wild in Bulusan

My recent visit to Odikin was rewarded with a chance encounter with another endemic Philippine tree, Kamandiis, growing wild along the mountain road.

The small-built tree looks more compact and charming in situ. I will love this growing in my backyard (if I have my own) for this reason alone. The flowers that seem to be always in the bud stage are the color of delicious berries arranged spatially in the twigs in random order. It is the kind of twig that will look excellent in a flower vase arrangement ikebana style.

But the most interesting trait of Kamandiis  in addition to its look is the taste. Not the fruit because at this time it is still in the flowering stage but the leaves and the flowers! I chewed one small leaf just to test if it tasted really sour or tart as related by Oya Choleng, my village guide. The taste is sour alright but not the kind of acidity that the Lubas leaf (another native) offers.

The fruit is used as souring agent for some local cooking recipes and a rich source of natural vitamin C. It gives added tartness to stewed fishes and vegetables in lieu of vinegar according to Oya Choleng, a village native.

Highlighted photo to emphasize the flower buds attached close to the twigs and branches. At this month of the year, the Kamandiis is profused with  minute red flowers.

The ASEAN Tropical Plant database classified Kamandiis as a Philippine endemic. Taxonomic record from the data base is as follows:

Scientific name	Garcinia rubra Merr.
Family name	Clusiaceae

Kamandiis minute flower buds

Reminder: "If forests were not disturbed, this would have been the safest place to permanently keep these valuable plant resources." ~ Roberto E. Coronel, foremost fruit scientist of Asia

Photos by Alma P. Gamil
Santa Barbara (Odikin), Bulusan, Sorsogon