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Family Malvaceae
Kamuling
Namot
Microcos triflora var. triflora
PULIT

Scientific names Common names
Grewia pyriformis Elmer            Aporong (Bikol)
Grewia stylocarpa Warb. ex Perkins            Kamuling (Tag.)
Microcos pyriformis (Elmer) Burret            Mala-iba (Tag.)
Microcos stylocarpa (Warb. ex Perkins) Burret            Muling-muling (Filipino)
Microcos triflora var. triflora            Namot (Apayao)
  Namut (Tag.)
  Porong (Filipino)
  Pulit (Cagayan)
Microcos triflora var. triflora is an accepted species. KEW: Plants of the World Online

Other vernacular names
BORNEO: Lubah, Mal sumpit.
MALAYSIA: Kerudong, Damak damak.
TRADE NAME: Kamuling

Gen info
- Etymology: The species epithet triflora is Latin for 'three flowers.'

Botany
Namut is a small to medium sized tree reaching a height of 10-15 m. Bark is light green, slightly smooth to rough, 0.5cm to 1.0cm thick from its cambium; the inner bark in reddish color and the wood or cambium is yellowish color. Leaves are simple attached to the stem, generally elliptic-oblong-lanceolate, papery, glabrous, and shining on the upper side with an average size of 5- 20 cm, pinnately alternate. Leaf apex is acuminate, base obtuse, margin entire and leaf venation arcuate. Petiole is about 1cm long, with prominent midrib and obscure veins. Flower is usually zygomorphic, very small indehiscence racemose, or paniculate, axillary and terminal, yellowish in color. Fruits are indehiscent or drupaceous; green turning to yellow when ripe. Seeds are fleshy and fibrous. (2)

Distribution
- Native to the Philippines and Borneo.
- In primary and secondary lowland dipterocarp rain forests and thickets, up to 1,000 m altitude.

Constituents
- Study of namot leaf extract yielded total phenolic content of 1.06 mg GAE/g extract. (2)
- Phytochemical study of fruit yielded flavonoids, anthraquinones, and saponins, with absence of tannins. (5)
- Nutrient analysis of fruit yielded: ash 1.66 g/100g, crude protein 2.19 g/100g, total fat 2.18 g/100g, carbohydrates 15.41 g/100g, iron 8.71 µg/g, calcium 295.42 µg/g, sodium 118.34 µg/g. (5)
- Phytochemical analysis of pulit fruit yielded flavonoids, anthraquinones, and saponins with absence of tannins. (5)

Properties
- Study suggested antibacterial property.

Parts used
Fruit, leaves.

Uses

Edibility
- Fruit pulp is edible with a good flavor.
- Fruits are rich in calcium and iron.
Folkloric
- Fruits used for laxative effect. Also as dietary supplements to reduced blood cholesterol, as antispasmodic, and to reduce risk of cancer.
Others
- Wood: Heartwood is light brown; the sapwood lighter in color; straight-grained, fine to medium texture; not resistant to decay or insect attack;
low durability.
- Uses: Used for household utensils and agricultural implements.
- Bark fibers: Used for rope and tying materials.
- Resin: Used for fuel.
- Pulp: Used for paper production.

Studies
Anticancer Compound:
In a metabolite-profiling study of methanolic extracts of ground leaves for compounds with predicted anticancer activity against the NCI-60 database using CDRUG, Microcos stylocarpa yielded cytochalasin a (log G150=-5.312, CDRUG score=0.814). (4)
Antibacterial / Fruit: Study of fruit sample for antibacterial activity showed zones of inhibition of 12 mm for both Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermis. (see constituents above) (5)

Availability
Wild-crafted.

<B><U><FONT COLOR="#ff0000" SIZE="+1" FACE="Arial Black">Studies </FONT></U></B><br>
<img src="AbanikoPD2.jpg" width="321" height="554" align="right" />&#8226; <font color="#0000FF"><strong>Phenolic Content / Rhizomes / Anticancer:

August 2024

                                                 PHOTOS / ILLUSTRATIONS
IMAGE SOURCE: Malvaceae : Microcos stylocarpa / Copyright © 2018 by P B Pelser & J F Barcelona (contact: pieter.pelser@canterbury.ac.nz) [ref. DOL131909] / Non-Commercial Use  / Image modified / Click on image or link to go to source page / Phytoimages.siu.edu
OTHER IMAGE SOURCE: Microcos stylocarpa / Closeup of flower / P B Pelser / CC BY-NC /Non-Commercial Use  / Image modified / Click on image or link to go to source page / Useful Tropical Plants

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Microcos triflora var. triflora / KEW: Plants of the World Online
(2)
Total phenolic contents of selected indigenous fruit trees in Apayao
/ Maria Christina Z Manicad, Agustina G Pattung, Hannie T Martin / JBES: Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences, 2021; 19(1): pp 24-31 / eISSN: 2222-3045 / pISSN: 2220-6663
(3)
Kamuling / ITTO  
(4)
Metabolite profiling and predicted anticancer activities of fruit trees from Mt. Makiling, Laguna, Philippines
/ Michael Russelle Alvarez, Kimberly Delica-Balagot, Manolo Basingan et al /  Bromo Conference: Symposium on Natural Products & Biodiversity, 2018; Subaraya, Indonesia.
(5)
Fruits of the Future: Characterization of Indigenous Fruits of Cagayan Valley / Calixto B Alicay, Florante Victor M Balatico PhD / Asia Pacific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 2018; 6(4) Part II: pp 52-59 / pISSN: 2350-7756 / eISSN: 2350-8442

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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