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Family Sapotaceae
Betis
Madhuca betis
(Blanco) J.F.Macbr.

Scientific names Common names
Azaola betis Blanco Bakaiau (Pang.)
Bassia betis (Blanco) Merr. Baniti (Bik.)
Illipe betis (Blanco) Merr. Banitis (Bik.)
Isonandra betis (Blanco) Baehni Betis (Pamp., Tag., Bik.)
Madhuca betis (Blanco) J.F.Macbr. Manilig (Mag.)
Madhuca philippinensis Merr. Pappagai (Ibn.)
Payena betis (Blanco) F.-Vill. Pappagan (Ibn.)
  Piañga (Ibn., Ilk.)
  Piañgan (Ibn.)
Madhuca betis (Blanco) J.F.Macbr. is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Gen info
- Madhuca is a genus of plants in the family Sapotaceae. It was first described as a genus in 1791. It consists of more than 110 species. (2)

Botany
Betis is a good-sized tree reaching a height of 30 meters. Bark is brown and ridged. Leaves are clustered at the ends of the branchlets, oblong-obovate, 20 to 25 centimeters long, 7 to 9 centimeters wide, smooth on the upper surface, very hairy beneath, pointed at both ends. Flowers are numerous, hairy, pale white, borne in rounded clusters. Fruit is ellipsoid, brownish, grows upon thickened smooth stalks, 3 to 4 centimeters long, with a large and shiny seed.

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines.
- In the Philippines, in primary forests at low altitudes, in the Luzon provinces of Cagayan, Cavite, Rizal, Quezon, and the Camarines; in Mindoro and Mindanao.

- Also native to Borneo and Sulawesi. (1)
- Grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. (1)
- Threatened by habitat loss. Depleted by indiscriminate logging, and kaingin. Listed in the 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Constituents
- Seeds yield an oil used for illuminating.

Properties
- Wood contains substances that are poisonous to termites (Coronel, R & Madulid, D., 2012)

Parts used
Bark, leaves and latex.

Uses
Edibility
- No information found on food edibility.
Folkloric

- Bark and leaves of the plant used for stomach pains in children.
- Latex applied to abdomen to expel worms.
- Bark powder provokes sneezing.
Others
- Wood: Pale red wood is hard, heavy, and durable. Used for heavy construction like building wharfs, bridges and ships; also as foundation posts of houses, foundation sills, tool handles, etc.
- Seed oil: Used as illuminant.

Studies
No studies found.

Availability
- Wild-crafted.

Updated February 2024 / April 2016

PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Illustration from Minor Products of Philippine Forests / Vol 2 / William Brown and Arthur Fisher / Figure 56 / Bassia betis (Betis) Source of betis oil / 1920 / Modified by G. Stuart
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Sapotaceae : Madhuca betis / Fruit / Copyright © 2017 by P B Pelser & J F Barcelona (contact: pieter.pelser@canterbury.ac.nz) [ref. DOL123598] / Non-Commercial Use / Image modified / Click on image or link to go to source page / Phytoimages.siu.edu
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Betis tree / Copyright © Cainta Plant Nursery / Non-commercial use / Image modified / Click on the link to go to source page / Cainta Plant Nursery
Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Madhuca betis / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Madhuca / Wikipedia

DOI: It is not uncommon for links on studies/sources to change. Copying and pasting the information on the search window or using the DOI (if available) will often redirect to the new link page. (Citing and Using a (DOI) Digital Object Identifier)

                                                            List of Understudied Philippine Medicinal Plants
                                          New plant names needed
The compilation now numbers over 1,300 medicinal plants. While I believe there are hundreds more that can be added to the collection, they are becoming more difficult to find. If you have a plant to suggest for inclusion, native or introduced, please email the info: scientific name (most helpful), local plant name (if known), any known folkloric medicinal use, and, if possible, a photo. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

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