I read from the book "Field Notes on Science" (edited by Harvard University biologist Michael Canfield) that still there are so much to discover in the wild (and to document it) that even in a park it is likely to have a new discovery.
This happened last school year (AY 2018 - 2019) as I accompany a Grade 12 research group in their field work inside the campus. I discovered two mature native trees inside the mini-forest (now PSHS - Main Campus - EDC BINHI Tree Park, Site B) that I never imagined to have exist until that fateful day. One is a cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.), the other is ipil (Intsia bijuga).
Before, I just know that this tree is one of the several species that I am yet to positively identify (at least to the genus level). What gave this tree away (to let me identify it) is its wildlings that I saw near its base.
I recognized the leaf-pattern based on the several seedlings I planted before inside the campus and on an 8-year old I. bijuga in the tree park beside the GRH - Annex building.
I am currently nurturing these two wildlings in my garden at home until they are ready for out-planting back in the campus.
Last October 12, 2019, I was awed by the color and texture of the leaf litter I saw at the base of the I. bijuga mother tree. I returned to my work area in the Computer Science Unit to get my binocular. With the instrument I confirmed that the leaf litter are from this ipil tree. Having seen that the leaves at the crown turned yellowish.
Phenology, as defined in globe.gov , is the study of living organisms' response to seasonal and climatic changes in the environment in which they leave. This shedding of leaves is just one of several stages in the species cycle.
Yesterday morning, 5 November 2019, during my nature walk I saw that the crown have new leaves. Upon close inspection using my binocular, I saw cluster of flowers with the familiar shade of red. I quickly returned to office to retrieve my camera.
With the zoomed photos taken, I surmised that this mother tree is indeed Intsia bijuga.
This is very likely to have been planted in the mid-70's when the mini-forest was established under the leadership of Dr. Alfonso of the Biology Unit.
After almost a month since having witnessed the species to have shed most of its foliage, I have observed it produced new leaves then flower. Another two stages in the species' cycle.
Now I am excited to see the next stage of the tree producing fruits.
Intsia bijuga is from the family Fabaceae. ü
