Ziziphus talanae, the balakat, aligamen, or talanai, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae.

Ziziphus talanae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rhamnaceae
Genus: Ziziphus
Species:
Z. talanae
Binomial name
Ziziphus talanae

Distribution

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Ziziphus talanae is endemic to Luzon and Visayas, in the Philippines,[1] The tree is found in the Philippinean Limestone Forest ecoregion.[2]

Uses

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In Antique Province, its bark is used medicinally for diseases from ringworm to urinary tract infections. Studies have shown that the bark does have antimicrobial properties.[3]

The city of Mabalacat in Pampanga Province was named after it in 1712, using the indigenous Negrito word mabalacat meaning "forest of balakat."

References

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  1. ^ a b World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1998). "Ziziphus talanae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T33326A9776687. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T33326A9776687.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  2. ^ Peter Martin Rhind. "Plant Formations in the Philippinean BioProvince" (PDF). Terrestrial-biozones.net. Retrieved 15 March 2022.
  3. ^ Anas, A. R. J.; Villaseñor, I. M.; Matsuura, H.; Okino, T. (2009). "Anti-Mycobacterium phlei activity of the bark of Ziziphus talanai (Blanco) Merrill". Philippine Agricultural Scientist. 92 (4): 388–391. ISSN 0031-7454.