Bassia obovatifolia Merr.
Ganua obovatifolia (Merr.) Assem
Madhuca obovatifolia is an evergreen tree growing around 20 metres tall[
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. The wood is often traded under the name 'Bitis'
Madhuca obovatifolia is endemic to the Luzon region of the Philipines where it has a limited range. It is threatened by various anthropogenic activities. The plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[
Southeast Asia - Philippines
Primary forests at low elevations[
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Fruit - raw[
]. The thin-skinned fruit resembles the sapodilla (Manilkara zapota) in taste and consistency, but is said to be larger[
]. The fruit is a subglobose to ellipsoid berry, about 2cm in diameter[
All parts of the tree contain latex[
We do not have any more specific information on the wood of this species, but it belongs to a group of timbers collectively called 'Bitis'. The general description of bitis wood is as follows:-
The heartwood is red-brown to purple- or chocolate-red-brown; it is sharply demarcated from the yellow-brown to purple-grey-brown sapwood. The texture is moderately fine and even, with straight or shallowly interlocked grain. The wood is strong, heavy and durable. It is very difficult to treat with preservatives.
It is slightly difficult to difficult to resaw, easy to slightly difficult to crosscut. Planing is slightly difficult but the planed surface is smooth. Nailing property is rated as poor. The timber seasons slowly with moderate end-checking, splitting and surface-checking as the major sources of defects. Shrinkage is high. The timber is likely to be fairly difficult to dry. The wood is suitable for all forms of heavy construction, bridges, wharves, piers, piling, posts, railway sleepers, parquet flooring and heavy flooring.
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