Narra
Definition
Narra (Pterocarpus indicus) is the national tree of the Philippines — a large tropical hardwood tree of the legume family valued for its timber, shade, and ornamental golden blooms. It grows across the Philippines and Southeast Asia, with mature trees reaching over thirty meters, and the species lends its name to Palawan’s municipality of Narra and to countless plazas and avenues nationwide.
The tree’s hard, red-toned wood has historically been prized for furniture and construction, driving both its economic importance and the conservation restrictions now protecting remaining wild stands.
Identities
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| Wikipedia | N/A |
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Also Known As
Pterocarpus indicus; national tree of the Philippines; Asana
Examples and Analogies
The narra stands in Philippine symbolism as the oak does in temperate nations: the timber of heirloom furniture, the shade tree of town plazas, and the botanical emblem of national strength.
Usage Scenarios
Narra is planted in reforestation programs and roadside avenues; its timber remains a premium furniture material under regulated sourcing; the tree’s flowering season paints avenues yellow-gold in summer months.
Strategies
Conservation combines reforestation programs, regulated harvest under DENR permits, and urban planting campaigns; the species’ fast growth on open sites makes it a reforestation staple.
Security and Safety Measures
Cutting narra requires permits under forestry law, with illegal logging penalized; seed orchards and gene banks maintain the species’ genetic stock.
Historical Context
Narra timber built much of the Philippines’ traditional furniture and galleon-era craftsmanship, and the species was declared the national tree in 1934 — an emblem carried through into modern environmental programs.
Challenges and Controversies
Illegal logging of wild narra remains a persistent enforcement issue, and tensions between timber value and conservation protection mark the species’ modern management.
Related Topic
Department of Environment and Natural Resources