Sagip Sarihay Series features critically endangered species in the Philippines, with weekly posts of alternating plant and animal species, and with the primary aims of awareness and call to action. This series is a project of the SciTech and the VA sections of UST-CSJ. (Note: Weekly order of posting does not reflect actual order of intensity of endangerment. Database reference for selection of species is the IUCN Red List.)

SAGIP SARIHAY #15

Syzygium luteum (Makaasim-na-malayambo)

Words by Raphael R. Sanvictores
Artwork by Catherine Joyce Trinchera

A visual representation of Makaasim-na-malayambo.

Description

Commonly known as Makaasim-na-malayambo, Syzygium luteum is a critically endangered tree native to the Philippines. It reaches up to 20 m in height and bears fruit in March and October (EDC, 2020).

Like other Syzygium spp., it has numerous industrial uses or applications. The tannin-yielding bark of this tree is generally used for dyeing fabric and strengthening fishing nets. Its wood is also useful for light or heavy construction and as a wood fuel (Soh & Parnell, 2015). Aside from that, it was reported to produce bioactive phytochemicals with potential anticancer activity (Chua et al., 2018).

Locality

This species is mostly found at low elevations, specifically on riverbanks of tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests located in two municipalities of the Quezon Province: Guinayangan and Tayabas (Merrill, 1923).

Threats

The decline in population is associated with the urbanization projects and deforestation due to demands of commodities in the aforementioned localities (Su et al., 2011). Agricultural systems, especially shifting cultivation, was also found to negatively affect the genetic exchange within the remaining population. Eventually, these may cause habitat fragmentation where individuals become isolated in small subpopulations that are difficult to sustain (Datry et al., 2017).

How can we help this endangered species?

Unfortunately, this tree species is not yet recognized as endangered by the Philippine Red List. Hence, its habitat is not a protected area. With this, a conservation program specific to this species serves as a feasible approach. The habitat of this species can also be declared critical to make it a local conservation site. Finally, off-site conservation where this species will be introduced in a botanical garden is a possible way to lessen risks of population decline (EDC, 2020).

References

Chua, L. K., Lim, C. L., Ling, A. P. K., Chye, S. M., & Koh, R. Y. (2018). Anticancer Potential of Syzygium Species: a Review. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. doi:10.1007/s11130–018–0704-z

Datry, T., Corti, R., Heino, J., Hugueny, B., Rolls, R. J., & Ruhí, A. (2017). Habitat Fragmentation and Metapopulation, Metacommunity, and Metaecosystem Dynamics in Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams. Intermittent Rivers and Ephemeral Streams, 377–403. doi:10.1016/b978–0–12–803835–2.00014–0

Energy Development Corporation (EDC). 2020. Syzygium luteum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T154370506A157179031. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T154370506A157179031.en.

Merrill, E. (1923). An Enumeration of Philippine Flowering Plants. Manila Bureau of Printing, Manila.

Soh, W., & Parnell, J. (2015). A revision of Syzygium Gaertn. (Myrtaceae) in Indochina (Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam). Adansonia, 37(1), 179–275. https://doi.org/10.5252/a2015n2a1

Su, G., Macawile, J., Villarino, A., Agapito, J., & Gomez, N. (2011). Recognizing Local People’s Perceptions Towards Deforestation in Quezon Province, Philippines. Environmental Research Journal, 5(3), 131–135. https://doi.org/10.3923/erj.2011.131.135