VEGETATION

A. PLANT ECOLOGY
EXISTING TYPE OF PLANT ECOLOGY
LAUAN TREE

PARAGIS GRASS

RICE PLANT
PROPOSED PLANT ECOLOGY
ADONIDIA MERRILLII- the Manila palm, is a
palm tree species native to the Philippines
(Palawan and Danjugan Island). The Adonidia
palm, sometimes described as the "mini-
royal-palm", adapts well to landscaping and
cultivation, as well as growing in pots. It is
able to withstand large amounts of rainfall
and can tolerate short droughts, though it
does not like sea salt. Adonidias prefer full
sun but can withstand partial shade. They are
not tolerant of the cold (hardy to 35F when
young; 30F when mature), making their
perennial outdoor usage limited to frost-free
zones.
COMMON BOXWOOD - is a woody
evergreen shrub growing to a height of 5
meters, densely branching, with a trunk up to
20 centimeters in diameter. Leave are in thick
masses, arranged in opposite pairs along the
stems, green to yellow-green, oval, 1.5 to 3
centimeters long, and 0.5 to 1.3 centimeters
wide. Flowers are monoecious, inconspicuous,
greenish-yellow, with no petals. Fruit is a
three-lobed capsule containing 3 to 6 seeds.
KATMON- A favorite among Filipino
gardeners, katmon (Dillenia
philippinensis) has always been used in
urban landscaping. This evergreen is a
medium-sized tree, which is perfect for
ACACIA CONFUSA- Acacia confusa is a
perennial tree native to South-East Asia.
Some common names for it are acacia petit
feuille, small Philippine acacia, Formosa acacia
(Taiwan acacia) and Formosan koa. It grows to
a height of 15 m
AGOHO - This tree is often mistaken for being
a member of the Pinus family given its
resemblance to pines. According to the blog
Our Philippine Trees, agoho is actually a
flowering tree whose stems are quite similar
to pine needles and whose fruit looks like pine
cones. As such, it gives a mountainy feel to
any landscape. Once it is fully grown, agoho
becomes fairly drought-tolerant, meaning it
can do well even without the constant supply
of water.
DITA TREE - A tree reaching a height of 40m
tall and 1m in diameter. Branches are
spreading and the trunk is flanged or fluted.
The bark is grayish and exudes a milky sap
when cut. Four to seven leaves are in a whorl,
 smaller yards. Its trunk is erect and the
whole tree can grow to a height of up to 15
meters. The tree’s canopy is bushy with
thick leathery leaves. The tree is also
known for its edible fruits and its white
blossoms that have blood-red centers.
dark green above and glaucous underneath.
Flowers are fragrant, light-green to yellowish-
white in color. Leaves are slender, pendulous,
and cylindrical.

AESTHETIC USES OF PLANTS

Plants have always been utilized for aesthetic purposes, but most people believe this is the sole
reason to employ them in landscaping. Plants can take on the appearance of a piece of living
sculpture. They form a fascinating shadow pattern of branches and leaves when placed against a
simple wall or fence. Plants can be utilized as a backdrop for other plantings or designed to bring
disparate items or structures together visually. They create ideal habitats for birds and other
creatures.

ARCHITECTURAL USES OF PLANTS

Plants can be used to create walls, canopies, and floors by taking advantage of their various
growth habits. A canopy of tree branches can provide a sense of shelter, or a stand of trees or
shrubs can create walls to filter or block views. Plantings with uniform leaves and textural
qualities can give the impression of an architectural shape. Plants can also serve as a border
marker.

PLANTS AS A NOISE BARRIER

A dense growth of plants is the most visually pleasing approach to prevent noise. Plants absorb
sound best in the high frequencies that people find the most irritating, which is an advantage of
utilizing them as noise blockers. To give the best noise protection, numerous layers of plants
must be installed. Plant a row of bushes closest to the noise, followed by a row of trees, such as
the Katmon tree or adonidia merrillii. Finish off with a row of eye-catching plants facing the civic
plaza. Select shrubs for the inside based on their visual impact, color, and other desirable
characteristics. Consider how the bushes' appearance will go in with the rest of your
landscaping.
PLANTS USED FOR CLIMATE CONTROL
Deciduous trees or acacia trees could be used to block the hot summer heat from permeating
the earth, so reducing climate change. Windbreaks such as dita and acacia trees can help to
lessen wind velocity. Shading can also cause changes in radiation from the sun or light levels.

CONCLUSION
Our support for native trees is a way of ensuring the long-term viability and continuity of life in
the Philippine environment. Birds, bats, and insects benefit from the food and shelter provided
by these native trees. That's why it's crucial to figure out what kinds of plants, trees, and animals
are keeping our ecosystem in check and how we might help them in our development.

Furthermore, adding native trees to Cabanatuan City developments is not solely for the goal of
preserving a vibrant natural ecology. Another important reason to plant native plants is to
improve the lives of the people who live there. We work as innovators and planners to create
cities where people can live healthy lives and consequently live well. Planting native trees
ensure that these communities are not just viable but also helpful in the future.

These plant species are both economically and ecologically important. The species adapt to the
environmental circumstances of the civic plaza in Cabanatuan city by growing and blooming in
the same biotype as the forests. The endemic species face comparable dangers as forests
agriculture, urban extension, development, and illicit logging because much of the Philippines'
land is not protected by law. As a result, the country should enact conservative legislation to
safeguard native flora from human misuse.

Reference
Lamudi (2017). 15 Native Trees That Will Give Your Home a Filipino Touch.
https://www.lamudi.com.ph/journal/trees-that-will-give-your-home-a-filipino-touch/

Stuart G, (2018). Philippine Alternative Medicine. http://www.stuartxchange.org/Boxwood.html