The baleté tree (also known as balité or baliti) are several species of trees in the Philippines from the genus Ficus, which are generally referred to as balété in Filipino.
A number of these are , as they germinate upon other trees, before entrapping their host tree entirely and eventually killing it. Consequently the young plants are , i.e. or air plants that grow several hanging roots which eventually touch the ground and take root. Some baletes produce natural rubber of an inferior quality. The Indian rubber tree, Ficus elastica, was formerly cultivated to some extent for rubber. Some of the species like tangisang-bayawak or Ficus variegata are large and could probably be utilized for match wood. The wood of Ficus species are soft, light, and of inferior quality, and the trees usually have ill-formed, short boles.[Whitford, H.N., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of the Philippines, Part 2", p.30. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1911. ]
List of species which shares the common name of Balete
-
Ficus microcarpa
-
F. arayatensis Warb.
[Merritt, Melvin L., Bureau of Forestry. "The Forests of Mindoro", p.42. Manila Bureau of Printing, 1908.]
-
Ficus balete
-
Ficus benjamina
[Bureau of Insular Affairs. "Compilation of laws and regulations relating to public lands in the Philippine Islands". p.181. Washington Government Printing Office, 1908.][ "Ficus benjamina Linn." . Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
Ficus benjamina
[(2011-02-08). "Balete (Ficus benjamina var. nuda)" . The Indi Journal. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.][ "Ficus benjamina (Linn.) var. nuda (Miq.)" . University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
Ficus clusioides
-
Ficus concinna
[Bonsai King (December 14, 2009).
]
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> "Balete-Ficus concina". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.[ "Ficus concinna (Miquel)". Flora of China. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
Ficus elastica
[Stuart, Godofredo. "Balete". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.]
-
Ficus forstenii
[Botany Department (2003-02). "Ficus forstenii". University of Hawaii at Manoa. Retrieved on April 24, 2011.]
-
Ficus indica
[ "Baleting-baging". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
Ficus parvifolia
-
Ficus payapa
[ "Ficus Payapa". Philippine Bureau of Plant Industry.Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
F. philipinenses Miq.
[Bonsai King (February 19, 2010).
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> "Balete-Ficus philipinenses. Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.]
-
Ficus retusa
[ "Marabutan". Philippine Medicinal Plants. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.][ "Marabutan". Bureau of Plant Industry. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
-
Ficus stipulosa
[ "Balete – Scientific name: Ficus stipulosa Miq. Linn." . Filipino Herbs Healing Wonders. Retrieved on April 25, 2011.]
-
F. variegata Blume
Ornamental use
Baletes are planted as graceful trees along avenues in
Manila and other large cities in the Philippines, and they are also excellent as shade trees.
Several species of the tree are also use for
bonsai making in the country.
[Bonsai King (February 4, 2010). "Bonsai Database". Bonsai Kingdom. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.][ "Bonsai in the Philippines" . Bonsai in Asia Guidebook. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
Baletes are used as houseplants;
Philippine folklore
In some areas of the country, some people believe that balete trees are dwelling places for supernatural beings (
engkanto) like
Anito,
kapre or
tikbalang. In some places, sorcery rituals are known performed inside the chambers formed by the tree.
[Brillantes, RC (February 5, 2009). "The Mysterious Balete Tree". the green cloud. Retrieved on 2011-04-27.] Also among others, some superstitious folks suggest not bringing in balete as decorative plants inside a house as they allegedly invite ghosts.
Balete Drive in New Manila, Quezon City, named after a enormous balete tree that used to stand in the middle of the street, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the city. The tale of a white lady appears at night hailing cars that drive by has been circulated since the 1950s.[ "Myths Surrounding Balete Drive". Philippine Insider. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
Extreme examples
-
The balete tree inside the OISCA Farm in Lumapao, Canlaon, Negros Oriental, is estimated by from Silliman University to be around 1,328 years old. It would take at least 42 men to encircle its trunk. At the heart of this wide tree trunk is a cavity where lizards, bats and many insects have made it their home. With firefly lighting it at night like a year-round Christmas tree, it is one of the city's main tourist attractions.
[Austria, Kelly (December 7, 2010). "The Big Tree of Canlaon City". Follow My Trail. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.]
-
A balete tree called "Millennium Tree" in Barangay Quirino, Maria Aurora, Aurora Province province is claimed to be the largest of its kind in Asia. It is estimated to be about more than 600 years old and tall with its roots about to in diameter. It is possible for adult people to squeeze into the center of its root network.
[Gorospe, Marjorie (April 18, 2011). "Centuries-old balete tree attracts tourists in Aurora town". Yahoo News Philippines. Retrieved on 2011-04-25.]
-
A 400-year-old balete tree in Barangay Campalanas in the Lazi, Siquijor is believed to be the oldest and the biggest in the province. The tree is noted for the spring that emanates from its base and flows straight into a man-made pool.
[Administrator. . Siquijor Tour. Retrieved on April 27, 2011.]
Gallery
File:FvfCordonIsabela3349 33.JPG|A balete tree in Cordon, Isabela, Philippines
File:Millennium tree of Balete Park, Maria Aurora, Philippinesjf.jpg|The “ Millennium Tree” at Balete Park in Brgy. Quirino in Maria Aurora, Aurora province, Philippines.[ "Sightseeing - Nature Areas and Beaches". Discover Aurora. Retrieved on 2011-12-29.]
File:FvfBustosBulacan0380 25.JPG|A balete in Bustos, Bulacan, Philippines.
File:Enchanted Balete Tree in Lazi.JPG|The 400-year-old balete tree of Barangay Campalanas, Lazi, Siquijor, Philippines
See also
External links
