Kaniyugan sa Siquijor

One of the views that amazed me on the way from Mt. Bandilaan to the butterfly farm.  In my local dialect of Aklanon, this would be best described as a kaniyugan or a coconut plantation.  Thus this blog post's title.

Fire Tree at Salagdoong Beach

While walking around Salagdoong Beach, I found a fire tree across their restaurant.  This tree has always  amazed me since I was child, especially when all the leaves have fallen and gotten replaced with fiery orange flowers.  

Seeing it in Salagdoong Beach was all the more surprising to me as this tree only blooms during the summer season and yet, at this month (February), its fire tree is already bearing flowers.

Below is a zoomed-in shot of its flowers.  

Interestingly, when I surfed the Internet about fire trees as I was doing this post, I was directed to Flame Tree where it gave Royal Poinciana as this tree's English name.

Old Enchanted Balete Tree

In the country, Ficus benjamina Linn. has always been associated with the uncanny.  As a child, I remember being fascinated by this tree as it was constantly featured in Filipino horror movies and komiks as the home of mystical creatures.  Worldwide, it is said HERE that there are over 800 species of this and more than ten (10) species are found in the Philippines.

In Siquijor, they have such a tree which is said to be a century old.  Based on its height and innumerable roots, it could even be older. 

This balete tree in Siquijor is beside the highway and with a man-made pool though Noel said that the water is being supplied by a spring.  He added that they consider it enchanted as fishes suddenly appeared in the area without anyone knowing where they came from.

There's no entrance fee to see this "enchanted" tree though there is a donation box for those who want to contribute to its maintenance.

Crescencia Fruit

The best part about traveling on a tricycle is that one can vividly see whatever it is that lies ahead.

As Noel drove along, I did a double take when I saw this tree with a very big round fruit.

I asked Noel what it was.  He also did not know and said it was only in this house that he saw it so he brought us back to the house and the owner was kind enough to explain that it's a fruit named Crescencia.  He added that the tree's medicinal and the fruit's edible.

As we got close to the tree, I was amazed at how big the fruits were and how they could even sprout from the tree's trunk.  They even seemed to be arranged by size, with the biggest being on the upper branches.

When I got home, I did further research on it and found out that it is commonly known as the Calabash Tree, a species of flowering plant that is native to Central and South America.  It is also known as Ayale (English), Calabacero (Spain), Totumo (Panama and Venezuela), Cujete (Spain, Philippines) and Miracle Fruit (Philippines).

Panama seems to have the most use for this tree  medically as it uses its fruit for diarrhea and stomachaches and also for respiratory ailments, bronchitis, cough, colds, toothaches, headaches and menstrual irregularities.  It is also used as a laxative and an anti-inflammatory.  The leaves are also used for hypertension. 

Other uses include it being a favorite perch for orchids or making bowls and fruit containers decorated with paintings or carvings using its dried shell.  It can also be used to make maracas or musical rattles.  For more information about this wonder tree, click HERE.