Shorea astylosa

Description

Shorea astylosa is a species of plant in the Dipterocarpaceae family. It is endemic to the Philippines, which is known as yakal in Filipino language.Yakal is a medium to large tree about 25 to 30 meters tall. Its wood is hard and dark brownish-yellow. Branchlets are rather slender, blackish, and slightly hairy. Leaves are coriaceous, ovate to lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate or apex acuminate; the base is rounded to cuneate, glabrous above, and slightly hairy underneath. Its blade is 6.5-nine centimeters long and two-4.5 centimeters wide. The petiole is slender, 10-23 millimeters long, and dark. Inflorescence are axilllary, paniculate, and up to about six centimeters long. The flowers of yakal are yellow, very short-stalked, and about 12 millimeters long. Petals narrowly oblong or oblong-lanceolate, more or less twisted in bud, rounded at apex, 18 millimeters long, and reticulate. Locations Yakal is commonly found in Luzon, particularly Quezon and Camarines; Samar; Negros; and Mindanao, particularly Zamboanga, Agusan, and Davao. It can also be found in primary forests at low altitudes. Traditional use Wood extractions are tumor-inhibiting. Contemporary use Yakal is used for high-grade construction, bridges and wharves, mine timber, and other installations requiring high strength and durability.