 Botany
Binuñgang-malapad is a tree growing 5 to 10 meters high. Large leaves are characteristic, about 60 to 100 centimeters wide. Petiole is very long and joins the leaf within the leaf margin. Leaf blade is broad, rounded-ovate or ovate, 30 to 80 centimeters greater in length than in width, wider towards the base than near the tip. Stipules are 6 to 10 centimeters long. Flowers are small, borne in large numbers on compound inflorescences. Capsules are borne in dense spherical masses, smooth, 8 to 10 millimeters long, comprising 2 dehiscent, leathery cocci, each valve armed with 2 spinelike processes at the apex.
Distribution
- Endemic in the Philippines.
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In secondary growth forests at low altitudes in Cagayan, Benguet, La Union, Nueva Viscaya, Pangasinan, Bataan, Rizal, Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon Provinces in Luzon; and in Mindoro.
- Cultivated in Hawaii as a tropical ornamental for its grandiose leaves.
Parts used
Resin.
Uses
Folkloric
- Resin used as astringent gargle for ulcers in the mouth.
- Leaf ash eaten for enlarged bellies.
Others
- Twine made from the bark.
- Wood used for fishing spears.
- Birds eat the ripe fruits.
Studies
• Mappain / Cytotoxicity: (1) Study isolated a new prenylated stilbene, mappain, from the leaves of Macaranga mappa. Mappain is cytotoxic, potent and effective against the drug sensitive SK-OV-3 and drug-resistant SKVLB-1 ovarian cell lines. (2) Mappain is an analog of schweinfurthin C. Schweinfurthins, discovered from the African plant, Mararanga schweinfurthii, are a promising class of anti-tumor drug candidates, whose mechanism of action remains unknown but enticing.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
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