284 WILD FOOD PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES 



laddyap (Tayabas) ; salua-sud (Laguna) ; tarabidb (Pangasinan) , Ilocos 

 Sur, Union); tarabtdb-uak, taraptdp (Union); tinikan (Bataan). 



The pulp of the fruit of this species is edible. The fruit is 

 ovoid or globose, and about 5 centimeters in diameter. 



Capparis micracantha is a vine or a half-erect shrub with 

 drooping branches. It is 2 to 4 meters high, with short, sharp, 

 nearly straight spines at the bases of the petioles. The leaves 

 are alternate, somewhat elliptical in shape, leathery, shiny; 

 the apex rounded, slightly pointed or notched; the base usually 

 rounded. The flowers occur on the stem above the axils of the 

 leaves. The petals are about a centimeter long, and white, the 

 lower ones yellowish or reddish. 



This species is common and widely distributed from northern 

 Luzon to southern Mindanao. 



Family MORINGACEAE 



Genus MORINGA 

 MORINGA OLEIFERA Lam. (Fig. 27). Malunggai. 



A description of this species and its local names are given in 

 the section on resins, gums, and oils. 



The root of this species has a taste like that of horse-radish and 

 is eaten in India by Europeans as a substitute for horse-radish. 

 The wood has a similar taste. 



The leaves and flowers of this tree are cooked and eaten as a 

 vegetable. According to Heyne,"^ the half-ripe fruits are also 

 used as a vegetable. 



Family ROSACEAE 



Genus RUBUS 



The species of this genus which are found in the Philippines 

 are characterized by the English name raspberry. The fruits 

 of some of them are of very good flavor, while others are insipid. 



RUBUS COPELANDII Merr. 



The berries are nearly 2 centimeters in diameter, orange red, 

 fairly juicy, and edible, but not well flavored. 



Riihus copelandii is a scrambling shrub which may exceed 3 

 meters in height, but is usually smaller. The leaves and stems 

 are armed with very numerous, medium-sized spines. The 

 leaves are either simple or compound with 2 to 3 leaflets, which 

 have toothed margins and are pointed at the tip and rounded at 

 the base. The flowers are white and occur singly or in clusters. 



* Heyne, K., De Nuttige Planten van Nederlandsch-Indie, Volume 2, 

 page 187. 



