Leea guineensis
LEEACEAE. Indigenous
SIZE: Up to 2m tall
TYPE: Evergreen
HABITAT: Secondary and primary vegetation, thickets and secondary forests, especially along streams at low and medium altitudes; from the Babuyan Islands and northern Luzon to Mindanao and Palawan, in most or all islands and provinces
Sometimes planted as an ornamental for its profuse berries, the mali-mali may just be the cure for the Filipinos’ fractious politics. Its leaves are used for treating bad blood. Hey, let warring politicians try this one!