Narra – The National tree of Philippines
The Narra tree has always been an important part of Filipino culture. In fact, in many parts of the Philippines, the Narra tree is considered sacred, and it plays an essential role in traditional ceremonies. The Narra tree is also a popular subject for art, literature, and folklore.
When Narra was officially listed as the Philippines’ national tree in 1934, Governor-General Frank Murphy was the head of the country. It’s a sturdy hardwood tree, and it represents the Filipino people’s determination to achieve independence and freedom, even though we have been ruled by other countries in the past.
The Narra tree is a universal image of toughness, durability, and resilience, which is similar to the Filipino spirit. Our history proves it, especially the bravery shown by our forefathers in their fight for independence. Nowadays, the tree’s height and sturdy hardwood construction still symbolize the Filipinos’ ability to withstand any bad weather and other challenging conditions.
Despite its connection with the Philippines, the Narra tree may be found in other parts of the world as well. Northern Australia, Southeastern Asia, the islands of the western Pacific Ocean, southernmost China, East Timor, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, the Ryukyu Islands, and the Solomon Islands are all excellent places to look for this magnificent tree.
The scientific name for the Narra tree is Pterocarpus indicus, it has several common names all around the world. Some of its famous names are Andaman redwood, Burmese rosewood, Amboyna wood, Malay padauk, and Papua New Guinea rosewood.In the Philippines, Filipinos commonly call it Asana, Philippines Mahogany, or simply Narra.
Unlike its bright-colored flowers, the curious wing-like fruit of the Narra tree stays for months! It’s green at the start, but when it’s ripe, it turns brown like a leaf. Two or three seeds may be found within the protective pod. In fact, its scientific name Pterocarpus indicus came from the words “pteran” which means wing in English, and “karpos” meaning fruit.
Another fun fact is that the unique, lightweight winglike shape of the Narra tree’s fruits allows them to be carried away naturally by the wind and helps its seed dispersal to other places. But, it can also be dispersed by humans who want to plant the tree.
Aside from having many names, the Narra tree has several practical uses. The most popular use of the Narra tree in the Philippines is in construction and furniture because of its sturdy material. Narra wood can also be used as a medicinal plant that cures headaches, diarrhea, boils, and many others! But the best of all is it is also good for the environment. Aside from providing a rich source of pollen for bees, its root is also good for the soil and its surroundings.
It grows in sandy or clay loam, and its tall trees are often seen close to bodies of water like rivers and the coast. Apart from the bodies of water, we can also usually see Narra trees in town or city parks, where kids love to go.
The Narra tree’s brilliantly colorful blossoms will soon be in full bloom as February approaches. With these interesting tidbits in mind, I hope you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the Narra tree by visiting the one closest to your house. Don’t forget to take good care of nature and our environment while enjoying your day!
