MOLAVE Tree Species

Have you ever heard of the Molave tree species? If not, don’t worry. This type of tree is quite unusual and has flown under the radar until quite recently. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t important. In this article, we’ll discuss the anatomy, physical characteristics, and uses of the molave tree species plus ways to conserve these unique plants.

The molave is an important species of tree found in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines where it plays an essential role in ecological conservation. Not only do the trees provide shade but they also help preserve soil fertility due to their deep root systems. Furthermore, their wood is sought for various construction projects and makes for excellent fuel wood as well as art supplies like furniture and carvings.

Botanical Classification: Family Molave Tree

International Common Names

English: Molave, Chaste Tree peacock, Chaste Tree

Local Common Names

Cuba: Roble de Filipinas, Roble de olor, Roble Filipino, Roble guayoroble, Viti

Guam: lagundsmallflower chastetree

Indonesia: Fuli Kaa, Kayu Kula, Kayu Kulo

Palau:         Small-leaved vitex

Philippines: amuauan, amugauan, amug-awon, molauin, sagat, taga, tugas

Puerto Rico: Higüerillo

Taxonomic Tree

Domain: Eukaryota

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Spermatophyta

Subphylum: Angiospermae

Class: Dicotyledonae

Order: Lamiales

Family: Verbenaceae

Genus: Vitex

Species: Vitex perviflora

        

COLOR

The heartwood is pale straw-colored or grayish to pale brown, and usually not very

distinct from the sapwood which is slightly paler.

GRAIN

The grain is variable, being straight, wavy or interlocked.

TEXTURE

This species is reported to have a fine to moderately fine texture.

 Wood Cross Section

TANGENTIAL SECTION

NATURAL DURABILITY

    It is durable, even when used outside and in contact with the ground. It is fairly resistant to fungal, termite and Lyctus beetle attack, but not to marine wood borers.

RESISTANCE TO IMPREGNATION

The heartwood is very resistant to preservative treatment. The sapwood is moderately permeable. 

Molave Tree, also known as Vitex parviflora, is a species of tropical tree that belongs to the Verbenaceae family. This species of tree is native to the Philippines and is commonly found in lowland tropical forests and urban areas. The Molave Tree's scientific name, Vitex parviflora, translates to 'small-flowered vitex'. It has a slow-growing and upright growth habit, with an average height of 10-15 meters when fully grown.

The Molave Tree has thick, red-brown bark and long, compound leaves. Its flowers are white or pinkish in color and they are followed by round green fruits. The fruits are edible but have a sour taste, making them not very popular as food sources.

Molave Trees are an important resource for many communities in the Philippines due to its various uses. Its quality wood is used for construction purposes while its bark extract can be used as natural food coloring and as a tea ingredient. It is also traditionally used for medicinal purposes in Philippine herbal medicine. Conservation efforts on Molave Trees are ongoing and more research should be done to protect this species from further exploitation and destruction of its native habitats.

Morphology and Anatomy of Molave Tree

The Molave tree is an evergreen, reaching a height of 50 to 60 feet and having a diameter of 1.5 to 3 feet. Its bark is dark-grayish brown and its twigs are covered with short hairs. It has alternate, oblong-elliptic, abruptly acuminate leaves that are 2 to 5 inches long, shiny and green on the top, and paler, slightly hirsute underneath. Its inflorescence is composed of axillary or terminal panicles that bear several flowers.

Molave features a distinct appearance, it's characterized by wide-spreading branches and an umbrella-shaped crown that make it a popular ornamental tree in some parts of the world. Its hardwood makes it suitable for use in construction, furniture making, boatbuilding and various other applications. The tree can also function as a windbreak or as a shade tree in rural areas due to its tough trunk and ability to withstand strong winds.

Physical Characteristics Molave Tree: Bark, Leaf, Flower and Fruit

When it comes to the physical characteristics of the molave tree, there are a few features you should

know about.

Bark

The bark of the molave tree has deep furrows and is generally very dark in color, ranging in shades of dark brown to black. The bark can be quite rough and rustic looking.

Leaves

The leaves of the molave tree look rather unique, because they are actually composed of two leaflets that are opposite each other on the twig. The leaflets have serrated edges and are usually between three to six inches long. The leaves have a shiny, waxy surface and have a deep green color with an occasional hint of yellow.

Flower

Unlike many other trees, molave trees do not produce showy flowers, they only have small clusters made up of yellowish green florets which make it difficult to identify when in bloom.

Fruit

Molave trees produce a large round fruit which has a hard outer shell with smooth surface that can range in color from light yellow to pinkish-purple when ripe. Inside the shell is edible but acidic jelly-like pulp which is high in pectin content and may enclose several seeds.

 

Uses and Properties of Molave Wood and Other Plant Parts

Did you know that molave trees can have a variety of uses? If you're looking to put molave to work, here are a few things you need to know.

Wood and Timber

Molave wood can be used for making furniture and other craft items, thanks to its strength and color! The wood has a yellow tinge that gives it a unique look, though it's recommended that you finish the wood with varnish or oil for extra protection.

Medicine and Health Care

The plant parts of the molave tree are also useful in traditional medicine. Extracts from the roots and bark can be used as an antiseptic, while the leaves can be boiled into a tea to treat fever, digestive problems and joint pain.

Environment conservation

The molave tree is also great for environment conservation. Its extensive root system helps hold soil in place, preventing soil erosion. Its dense foliage also provides valuable shade in hot climates as well as providing valuable habitats for birds, mammals and other wildlife species.

Threats to Molave Tree Population and Conservation Efforts

Regrettably, the Molave tree species is slowly but surely disappearing from its natural habitat, due to over-logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices. Despite its hardy nature, Molave trees are not immune to the threat of deforestation, and can easily be impacted by human activities.

The loss of Molave tree species has huge ecological implications. These trees are home to a range of wildlife, from birds to bees and butterflies. Furthermore, they help with watershed control by catching water on their leaves and branches, and funneling it into the ground. This helps reduce flooding downstream.

To stem the tide of Molave tree extinction, conservationists are working hard to spread awareness about this unique species and put in place measures that protect it.

Reforestation Programs

The government is pushing reforestation programs that involve planting new trees as well as protecting existing ones from further destruction or removal for commercial or industrial use.

Fire Management Programs

Fire management programs also help protect Molave trees from uncontrolled fires that occur in their natural habitats due to extreme weather conditions or human negligence. These fires can quickly decimate the delicate balance in these ecosystems and kill off young saplings that have not matured enough to survive extreme heat levels yet.

Education Programs

Additionally, educational initiatives help spread awareness to local communities about the importance of preserving these trees for future generations as well as highlighting potential alternatives for fuel/energy needs in these communities without having to cut down trees such as solar energy etc. All these efforts combined should help ensure we don't lose this unique species forever!

Interesting Facts About the Molave Tree

Did you know that the Molave tree has many interesting facts about it? It is not just a pretty tree that can add color and beauty to your landscape, but it has some special features as well! Here are a few of them:

Unusual Physical Characteristics

The Molave tree's trunk has lots of unique physical characteristics, such as its distinctive dark greenish-gray bark. The tree's growth pattern is also pretty fascinating, its branches are often twisted in different directions, creating an array of interesting shapes.

Long Lifespan

Molave trees live for a very long time – up to 500 years! This makes them invaluable sources of ecological data and can help us understand how the environment around them has changed over the centuries.

Versatile Uses

The wood from the Molave tree is highly sought after for its durability and strength, making it popular for construction projects or furniture pieces. It is also used for fuel and for medicinal purposes in some communities, with its bark even being used to make paper!

Conservation Status

Although the Molave tree species is categorized as endangered by the IUCN due to habitat destruction and overexploitation, there are still conservation efforts in place to protect these trees and ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy their beauty and benefits.

Conclusion

The Molave Tree (Vitex parviflora) is an incredibly important tree species native to the Philippines, used for many purposes and valued for its unique physical characteristics. With its wide range of uses, it's clear to see why the Molave Tree is so important to the Filipino culture.

Unfortunately, the Molave Tree is struggling due to the pressures of deforestation, pollution and climate change. To ensure the sustainability of this species, conservation efforts need to be made in order to protect it from further damage.

Overall, the Molave Tree is an important species not only for its practical uses, but for its cultural and historical significance. With proper conservation, we can ensure that the Molave Tree will be around for many generations to come.