Actinodaphne multiflora
LAURACEAE. Indigenous
SIZE: Up to 25m tall; trunk size 20cm diameter
TYPE: Evergreen
HABITAT: Mindoro, Guimaras, Basilan, Mindanao; in primary forests at low and medium altitudes
The puso-puso tree is known for its leaves which, when mixed with mortar, yield a glutinous substance that produces strong glue. Because of its leaf groupings, the Malaysian name for this species is “payong”, which means umbrella in both Bahasa and Filipino. Like many umbrellas, its underleaf is a lighter shade that its topside.