Madhuca betiss
SAPOTACEAE. Indigenous. Endangered
SIZE: Up to 35m tall; trunk size 80cm diameter
TYPE: Deciduous
HABITAT: Luzon, Mindoro and Mindanao; in primary lowland forests
Betis, a Pampanga town famous for its skilled wood workers, was named after this tree. It’s hard and heavy wood is ideal for construction and woodcarving. Other uses: its latex is used to expel worms and seed oil is an illuminant. However, its bark powder induces sneezing.