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Commonly
utilized and economically promising wild endemic and edible
plants (WEEPS) were identified in Camarines Sur. Researchers
from the Camarines Sur State Agricultural College (CSSAC)
named tan-ag (Kleinhovia hospita L.), lubi-lubi (Ficus
pseudopalma), balobo (Diplodiscus paniculatus),
katmon (Dillenia philipinensis), bignay (Antidesma
bunius), manila (Garcinia binucau), gallan (Alocasia
macrorhizza), ubing layas (Dioscorea alata wild),
and burot (Dioscorea numularia), as the nine most
utilized WEEPS in the local communities.
Unknown
to many, WEEPS contribute significantly to the economy via
various end products such as medicines, food sources, pesticides
and even as raw materials for handicrafts and textiles.
Llesol,
Jr. and Estrella from CSSAC conducted a comprehensive resource
inventory, phenological characterization and study on silvicultural
requirements of these WEEPS to popularize their utilization
potentials. This could address poverty and food security problems
and have major impacts on sustainable agriculture, integrated
pest management, and biodiversity conservation and protection
of known endangered species. The project was implemented from
2005 to 2006.
According
to the study, there are numerous wild endemic and edible plants
in Camarines Sur and Norte that may be eaten as leafy vegetables,
raw fresh or processed fruits, seeds and tubers or roots.
Among
the economically potential and promising WEEPS found in all
municipalities of Camarines are tan-ag, tibig (Ficus nota),
tallan (Alocasia elongata), lami (Dioscorea hispida),
pariya (Momordica charantia wild), kamatis na layas
or wild tomato (Solanum nigrum), matang-kuwaw (Clerodendrum
villusum), gallan, katmon, langkawas (Alpinia pyramidata),
malabuho (Sterculia oblongata), bignay and burot.
WEEPS
that are rare and are found only in few sites include ubing
layas, saging-saging matsing (Uvaria rufa), piling-liitan
(Canarium luzonicum), pipinong layas (Cucumis
sativum wild), balobo, bitongol (Flacourtia rukam),
and bubo-bubo from the Athyraceae family.
The
researchers said that verification study is highly necessary
to standardize the varying nomenclature, taxonomy and phenological
characteristics of the WEEPS in the region. They also highly
recommend that replication of the study in other parts of
the region be considered if not in the entire Philippines,
to complete the inventory. An organolyptic study of the most
promising WEEPS is suggested for their possible commercialization.
(Ma. Rowena M. Baltazar, S&T Media Service)
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