Tabog, Kabuyok
Swinglea glutinosa
Family: Rutaceae
What it is like
A small evergreen tree. It grows up to 10 m high. The trunk is spiny and small spines are found on the branches. The twigs are angular. The leaves have 3 leaflets and the leaflets are oval but pointed at the base and rounded or pointed at the tip. The end leaflets are 6 to 10 cm long while the side ones are smaller. The flowers are white and have a smell. They have 5 thick waxy petals which are long and narrow. There are 10 stamen. The fruit are green or yellow. They are 9 cm across. They have a strong smell. The fruit are long and have furrows. They are divided into 10 faint segments. Each segments has many seeds with tufts at their tips. The peel of the fruit is leathery and has oil glands.
There is only one Swinglea species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It is native to the Philippines. It grows in lowland evergreen woodland. It needs well drained sandy loam soils. They occur in secondary forests at low and medium altitudes in the Philippines. They occur only in the Provinces of Isabela and Quezon. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The fruit are used for food flavouring. The peel is used in soft drinks.
There is only one Swinglea species.
Edible parts
Fruit peel - drinks
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
It is slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Kabuyok, Pohon tabog