Naturalized fruit-bearing trees of the Philippines with notes

      In contrast to the native fruit-bearing trees of the Phililippines, this is a list of common Introduced or naturalized fruit-bearing trees of the Philippines with their possible native country which I made. Most Filipinos are unaware that the trees in their backyards are not really native Philippine trees. Most of these trees or fruits came to the Philippines during the Spanish era where trade from different countries occurred especially from South America, explaining for the high number of Philippine naturalized fruit-bearing trees coming from that region. 

      Many of these trees have already evolved with the local fauna and flora over the years. An example of which is the Mango tree that is eaten by a wide variety of animals in the Philippines. 

Sandoricum koetjape
English name: Sour apple
Filipino name: Santol 
Possible natural origin: Indochina

Note: Based on my observations, there are also many varieties of santol in the Philippines. Some varieties are small while others are large as a fist.

Artocarpus heterophylla
English name: Jackfruit
Filipino name: Langka
Possible natural origin: Southeast asia or India

Langka Tree

Note: The langka fruit is also cooked in the Philippines with coconut milk, locally known as ginataang-langka. The seeds are also eaten. 

Pouteria campechiana

English name: Canistel

Filipino name: Chesa 

Possible natural origin:Mexico and Central America

Chesa Tree

Note: Chesa is not often sold in commercial markets in the Philippines. 

Tamarindus indica
English name: Tamarind
Filipino name: Sampalok 
Possible natural origin: Sudan and Tropical Africa

Note: The leaves and fruits of Sampalok are used in Filipino cuisine. It gives a sour taste to soups. 

Mangifera indica
English name: Mango
Filipino name: Manga 
Possible natural origin: India

Note: This is a big mango tree with abundant epiphytes. This mango tree is a habitat for birds, insects and reptiles such as geckos.

Note: Filipinos (Tagalogs) are fond of making-pickled mangoes, used as relish. 

Burong-manga

Psidium species
English name: Guava
Filipino name: Bayabas 
Possible natural origin: Mexico and Central and South America

Note: Bayabas leaves are commonly used medicinally in the Philippines as a concoction for wounds. 

Annona squamosa
English name: Sugar apple
Filipino name: Atis 
Possible natural origin: Mexico and Central America

Note: Many birds are fond of eating the Atis fruit. The softness makes it easy for birds to eat this fruit. 

Annona muricata
English name: Soursop
Filipino name: Guyabano 
Possible natural origin: Mexico and Central America

Annona cherimoya
English name: cherimoya 
Possible natural origin: Andes(South America)

Carica papay, 

English name and Filipino name: Papaya 

Possible natural origin: Tropical America

Papaya Tree

Papaya fruit

Note: Papaya extracts are used as skin whitener in some products here in the Philippines. 

Chrysophyllum cainito
English name:star apple
Filipino name: Caimito 
Possible natural origin: Central America and West indies

Muntingia Calabura
English name: Jamaican cherry
Filipino name: Aratiles 
Possible natural origin: Mexico, Central and South America

Note: It is non-native but based on my observations, a favorite fruit of many Philippine bird, probably due to the size of the fruit, taste and texture.  

Punica granatum
English name: Pomegranate
Filipino name: Granada 
Possible natural origin:Iran and Iraq

Manilkara zapota

English name: Sapodilla, 

Filipino name: Chico 

Possible natural origin: Mexico, South America and Carribean

Chico Fruit

Pithecellobium dulce
English name: Madras thorn
Filipino name: Camachile
Possible natural origin: Mexico, Central and South America

Camachile Flower

Note: The Camachile fruit has low commercial value in the Philippines and is often given for free by the locals. 

Spondias purpurea
English name: Red Mombin 

Filipino name: Siniguelas 

Native to tropical South America

Persea Americana
English and Filipino name: Avocado
Native: Mexico 

Note: The fruit of Avocado is highly priced in the Philippines.  


Coffea species
English name: Coffee plant
Tagalog: Kape
Native: Possibly Africa

Note: In Cavite, coffee is cultivated in higher elevations such as Amadeo, Cavite, Philippines. Kapeng alamid is an expensive coffee taken from the droppings of the Asian civet, exclusively eating coffee berries. 

Theobroma cacao
English name: Cacao plant
Tagalog name: Kokwa

Note: I have seen Cacao trees in Batangas, Philippines where it is often made into hot chocolate drink. 

Anacardium occidantale

English name: Cashew Tree

Tagalog: Kasoy 

Native: South America

Note: Kasoy nut is highly priced in the Philippines. 

Phoenix dactylifera

English and Filipino name: Dates 
Native: Middle east

Muntingia Calabura

Tagalog: Aratiles

Native: South America

Others: a newly introduced fruit tree in the Philippines.

English and Filipino name:Brazilian Grapetree


Governor's Plum

Conclusion of the Philippine fruit-bearing trees

     In general, trees that can grow to huge sizes in the Philippines whether native or non-native can be a habitat for large number of animals.

See also:
Native fruit-bearing trees of the Philippines

Plant-derived fruits of the Philippines