Living with Nature Center Series 2 - Arboretum and Garden

Living with Nature Center Series 2

Arboretum and Garden

San Vicente, Ilocos Sur

Dr Abe V Rotor

Arboretum or Miniature Tropical Rainforest

As miniature replica, the Center maintains the three-storey distinct 

structure of a tropical rainforest, namely, underbrushes, canopy layer, 

and emergents, cum epiphytes and lianas, as virtual field laboratory 

in forestry and ecology, and other related fields of study.

 

 

Dead Forest 

Where once stood a lush vegetation of trees, shrubs, liana and orchid - 

these are but remnants, reminiscent of Paradise John Milton's poetry, 

except for one thing - we may never see it regained in our life time. 

Indigenous Food Plants

Top clockwise, karamay (Cicca acida), kamias (Averrhoa balimbi), 

ngalog (Portulaca oleracea), batao (Dolichos lablab), pallang Ilk 

(Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), patani (Phaseolus lunatus).  Wild 

food plants are crucial in providing food and nutrition in times of 

food shortage and hunger.

Herbal Medicine

Luyang dilaw (Curcuma longa) or turmeric is an effective remedy for 

osteoarthritis, hay fever, depression, and high cholesterol. The rhizome 

is a good source of phosphorus and iron. Oregano (Origanum vulgare) 

contains antioxidants, and offers many health benefits.  Lowermost 

photos, Aloe vera for restoring hair, and Jatropha multifida made into 

topical ointment.    

Ethnobotany 

Considered as weeds certain edible plants, such as alugbati and 

karimbuaya or soro-soro, offer an alternative to conventional 

vegetables and fruits. This field of study is valuable in preserving 

biodiversity and in solving problems of food shortage and 

malnutrition.

Pest Buildup

Top, cabbage aphids (Brevicoryne brassicae) gain resistance 

against repeated chemical spraying.  Middle, Cotton Stainer 

(Dysdercus cingulatus = D. megalophygus), coconut beetle 

(Oryctes rhinocerus), green beetle, kamote weevil (Cylas 

formicarius)  are gaining the upper hand in our war against pest 

using chemicals.  Their tool: immunity.  Immunity enables them 

to survive the onslaught of pesticides which killed their forebears.  

Such resistance increases and passed on to their offspring onward. 

Speciation

Living things evolve, and in the transition period may show 

incipient signs of change veering away from their own kind. 

The process may lead to the formation of variants, which may 

become distinctly new species.

Garden Pond

Microcosm of a river, lake, or a large scale fishery right on the 

backyard as source of food, recreation, or simply a place for 

creativity and respite.