A penis of the eucalyptus family unit , Myrtaceae , mangkono ( Xanthostemon verdugonianus ) bears attractive bloom that later on yield half - moon - shaped , red seeds . This tropic evergreen plant tree is also commonly called the Philippine ironwood and knight the " hardest tree in the Philippines . " Grow it in U.S. Department of Agriculture winter hardiness zona 11 and quick .
Origins
Mangokono grows naturally only in the primal Philippines on Surigao ’s Dinagat Island , Homonhon Island in Samar , Babatngon , Leyte , and in Palawan . across the nation it now is consider rare and threaten according to the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity Conservation .
Features
An evergreen plant tree diagram with an unsloped , oval habit , mangkono ’s trunk can contact a diam of 20 to 36 inches and overall superlative of 30 to 40 substructure . The trunk is fluted and carry small twigs as well as architecturally irregular but picturesque branch . farewell are clapper to rounded oval in shape and green with a leathery texture . The ornate , rounded clusters of promising , blood - scarlet heyday occur on branch tip and have five small petals but many erect whiskerlike stamens . The juiceless fruits split open into three sections to release diminutive half - moon seeds .
Growing Requirements
Mangkono Tree tolerate low - fertility soils but grow much more lushly in more sandy loam gardenlike soil that are fertile in constituent matter . In the rut of the foresightful growing time of year , provide caboodle of water system but reduce watering during the wintertime wry season associated with the tropics . According to the Haribon Foundation , Filipinos who live on the island where this Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree by nature grows believe the tree ’s woodwind becomes tougher when it is well - water . Provide full to partial sun exposures for more abundant flowering showing , but no few than five hours of direct sunlight daily . It grow nicely in an undefendable plantation with other tropical trees and palms .
Wood Qualities
Mangkono wood is among the hardest and densest in the world , often used as a substitute for the dumb toilsome Sir Henry Joseph Wood of the lignum - vitae ( Guaicum spp . ) tree diagram of the Caribbean . Often , trees are allow to grow to a diameter of a few inches before being cut . Gas - powered diamond blade cooled by water more readily bring down the wood as compared to axis , which take considerably more time and energy .
Uses
Mangkono makes a superb stuff for the bearing or relentless bushing of steamer propellor shafts . It is also used as hair curler , shear , watch guide block , tool handgrip , novelties , poles and galvanic pile for dock and bridges . Smaller - diameter trunk or branches are heavy used as home posts , according to the Haribon Foundation . The gnarled trunks and arm and vividly colored flowers also make mangkono a magnificent ornamental Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , albeit rarefied , for tropical gardens .
