Using native Philippine host plants for Santalum album plantations improves ecological compatibility and sustainability. While Santalum album is not native, it can still thrive when paired with compatible native hemiparasitic hosts and companion species.
Here are native or naturalized Philippine plants that can serve as effective host plants for Santalum album:
Native/Naturalized Host Plants in the Philippines for Santalum album
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Host Type | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agoho | Casuarina equisetifolia | Mid to long-term | Coastal native, excellent root host |
| Ipil | Intsia bijuga | Long-term | Native hardwood, excellent deep-root support |
| Alibangbang | Bauhinia malabarica | Mid-term | Butterfly tree, nitrogen-fixer |
| Banaba | Lagerstroemia speciosa | Mid to long-term | Common in reforestation, good for partial shading |
| Molave | Vitex parviflora | Mid-stage | Native hardwood, drought-tolerant |
| Tugas | Shorea contorta | Long-term | Native dipterocarp, compatible in forestry setups |
| Hagonoy | Chromolaena odorata | Early-stage (caution) | Can be host, but invasive if unmanaged |
| Katmon | Dillenia philippinensis | Mid-term | Native fruit tree, tolerates shade and mixed cropping |
Host Matching Strategy (Philippine Context):
- Establish fast-growing native nitrogen fixers early (e.g. Bauhinia, Agoho)
- Introduce mid- and long-term shade and nutrient hosts later (e.g. Ipil, Molave, Tugas)
- Avoid highly invasive or allelopathic species unless well managed (e.g., Hagonoy)