Plants and places: a list of places in the Philippines that were named after plants

Many place names within the Philippines were taken from plants, historical figures, or from water features or references to it. However, the former appears to be much more widespread and perhaps reflect the early people's affinity with such plants, perhaps as sources of folk medicine, food, utilities, or simply as landmarks. Unfortunately, most of these place names no longer bear the plants so honored, and the meaning of such names have been largely lost to obscurity. Our so-called 'progress' has pulled us farther and farther away from nature: the nonstop road widening projects during the last five years have wreaked havoc on not a few roadside trees. A Facebook post shows the last and only known Acacia confusa- a Philippine endemic- along the Olongapo-Bugallon Road in the western Luzon province of Zambales that is slated for cutting.

Some names are contentious, such as 'Balicbalic' and 'Vigan'. Still, many of these place names reflect a place's topography and vegetation before so-called modernization took place and obliterated people's memories.

Not included here are the very numerous street names that were also named after plants, as street names are often unstable and reflect incumbent politicians' whims- a street name of today may be totally changed by the next sitting local official.

The List

Abaca, Bohol, as well as identical place names in Negros Occidental and Leyte- Abaca (Musa textilis).

Inflorescence of abaca (Musa textilis).

Agoo, La Union- Agoo (Casuarina equisetifolia).

Aguho, Pateros- (Casuarina equisetifolia).

Alabang, Muntinlupa- a contraction of alibangbang (Piliostigma malabaricum).

Alangilan, Balete, Batangas, as well as Alangilan, Negros Occidental- Alangilan (Cananga odorata); 'ylang-ylang' is an orthographical- and more familiar- variant. Provisionally listed here as there is a possibility that Cananga odorata is not a native of the Philippines. Definitive proof, however, is still wanting.

Alcala, Pangasinan- Alcala (Vitex negundo).

Alim, Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental- Alim (Melanolepis multiglandulosa).

Almaciga, Cainta, Rizal, as well as identical place names in Cavite and Negros Occidental- Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis).

Alubijid, Misamis Oriental- Alubijid (Dysoxylum sp.).

Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya- Bagiw (a species of moss).

Amuyong, Mabitac, Laguna, as well as Amuyong, Alfonso, Cavite- Amuyong (Goniothalamus amuyon).

Anahao, Odiongan, Romblon, as well as identical place names in southern Leyte and Surigao del Sur- Anahao (Saribus rotundifolius).

Anahao (Saribus rotundifolius).

Aniatam, Benguet- Aniatam (Cleistanthus blancoi).

Anibong, Infanta, Quezon, as well as Anibong in Pagsanjan, Laguna- Anibong (Oncosperma tigillarium).

Anibongan, Bohol; the place name also occurs in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Samar, and Surigao del Sur- Literally 'a place where anibong grows').

Anilao, Batangas- Anilao (Colona serratifolia).

Flowers of anilao (Colona serratifolia).

Antipolo, Rizal- Tipulo (Artocarpus blancoi).

Apalit, Pampanga- Apalit (Pterocarpus indicus).

Apulid, Paniqui, Tarlac- Apulid (Eleocharis dulcis).

Badiangan, Iloilo- Badiangan translates to "a place where badiang (Alocasia macrorrhizos) grows".

Bagacay, Albay- Bagacay (a species of bamboo).

Bagacay, Dumaguete City- Bagacay (a species of bamboo).

Bago City, Negros Occidental- Bago (Gnetum gnemon).

Baguio City- (Bagiw, a species of moss).

Bagumbong, Caloocan- Bagumbong (Alpinia elegans).

Balatbat, Lobo, Batangas- Balatbat refers to at least two species of fan palms, Licuala spinosa and Livistona saribus. Since the former is found in the Philippines only on Palawan and its satellite islands, as well as Tawitawi, it is highly probable that the balatbat relevant in the discussion is the latter.

Balayong, Nagcarlan, Laguna- Balayong (Afzelia rhomboidea).

Balibago, Sta. Rosa, Laguna- Balibago (Hibiscus tiliaceus).

Balicbalic, Sampaloc, Manila (Currently G. Tuazon St.)- Balicbalic (Millettia pinnata). Two other oft-repeated theories about the name of the place says that 1. The road terminates at the end, which prompts people to go back to where they came from ('balic' means 'to go back'), and 2. It references an obscure tradition of burying the dead, where the casket-bearers would walk 20 steps forward and 10 steps backward so that the bereaved family can be with their departed a bit longer. Theory number 1 makes these Filipinos stupid: why go back when they can always hack their way through? Most Filipinos during that time carry machetes (locally called 'bolo' or 'itak') with them, and it is not as if the road terminates in a ravine. Also, it would imply that MANY people would be walking again and again to the end of the road only to go back to where they were over a certain lengthy period of time- repetitive and memorable enough to warrant the application of the name 'Balicbalic'. People doing the same thing over and over again and without telling their neighbors that the road ahead is a dead-end? Sounds brain dead to me. Theory number 2 makes Filipinos even more stupid: the area is elevated, almost like a hill. Imagine the casket-bearers doing the dance, under the heat of the sun, along a slope. Looks like a Facebook meme, if you ask me.

Balobo, Infanta, Quezon- Balobo (Diplodiscus paniculatus).

Balokok, Benguet- Balokok (Garcinia binucao).

Banaba, San Mateo, Rizal (there also places of a similar name in both Laguna and Batangas)- Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa).

Banga, Meycauayan, Bulacan- Banga (Pinanga maculata).

Banga (Pinanga maculata) is an attractive tiger palm endemic to the Philippines and widespread in the northern islands.

Bangkal, Makati- Bangkal (Neonauclea sp., possibly N. calycina, which is the most widespread Philippine species).

Bani, Pangasinan- Bani (Millettia pinnata).

Banilad, Cebu City- Banilad (can refer to at least two species, Sterculia ceramica and S. comosa). Identical place names are also found in Laguna and Batangas.

Banitan, Guimba, Nueva Ecija- Banitian, which refers to a place where baniti (Garcinia dulcis) grows.

Bansalangin, Parañaque, also Bansalangin in Tondo, Manila- Bansalaguin (Mimusops parvifolia).

Bayambang, Pangasinan- Bayambang. This local name refers to two different plants, Donnax canniformis and Schummanianthus dichotomus. However, the term may also have been taken from 'balambang', which is applied on two Bauhinia species, B. acuminata and B. malabarica.

Bayog, Los Banos- Bayog (a species of bamboo).

Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur- May refer either to bayug (Pterospermum sp.), or 'of a place dominated by bamboos'.

Betis, Pampanga- Betis (Madhuca betis).

Bignay, Valenzuela City- Bignay (Antidesma bunius).

Binalatongan, Pangasinan (currently the city of San Carlos)- Balatong (Vigna radiata).

Mt. Binuang, Quezon- Binuang (Octomeles sumatrana).

Binuangan, Misamis Oriental- Binuang (Octomeles sumatrana).

Bitaug, Davao del Sur- Bitaug (Calophyllum inophyllum).

Bitaugan, Surigao del Norte as well as Bitaogan, Davao Oriental- Literally, a place teeming with bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum).

Boac, Marinduque- Boac (Albizia procera).

Bocaue, Bulacan- Bocaue (Cyrtochloa toppingii).

Bohol- Bohol (Gmelina elliptica).

Bogo City, Cebu- Bogo (Garuga floribunda).

Botolan, Zambales- Botolan, butolan (Flueggea virosa).

Bugo, Cagayan de Oro City- Bugo (Garuga floribunda).

Bulacan- Bulacan (Thespesia populnea). Despite popular belief, the name of the province does not refer to it being a plantation of cotton during earlier times.

Bulihan, Silang, Cavite, as well as Bulihan, Malvar, Batangas- Bulihan refers to a place teeming with buli (Corypha utan).

The massive Caryota utan is termed 'buli' or 'buri' in the Philippines.

Buri Island, Catbalogan City- Buri (Corypha utan).

Butuan City- Butuan (Garcinia binucao).

Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija- Banato (Mallotus philippinensis).

Cabancalan, Mandaue, Cebu- Bangkal (possibly a Neonauclea. See the entry for Bangkal, Makati above).

Cabanglasan, Bukidnon- Banglas (Nephelium lappaceum).

Cabuyao, Laguna- Cabuyao (Citrus hystrix).

Calades, Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay- Kaladis Narig (Vatica elliptica). A critically endangered hardwood that was at a time thought to be extinct, until a couple of trees were detected by botanists. The extraordinary circumstances of its rediscovery and conservation can be read here:

Calantas, Rosario, Batangas (also identical place names in Tayabas, Quezon and Floridablanca, Pampanga)- Calantas (Toona calantas).

Calubcob, San Juan, Batangas- Calubcob/calubcub (Syzygium calubcob).

Calubcub flower (Syzygium calubcob)

Calumpang, Marikina- Calumpang (Sterculia foetida). The name 'Calumpang' is also found in several places within Laguna, also in Quezon, Palawan.

Flower of calumpang (Sterculia foetida).

Calumpit, Bulacan- Calumpit (Terminalia microcarpa).

Camiguin de Babuyan and Camiguin del Sur- Camiguin (Diospyros blancoi).

Carmona, Cavite- Carmona (Ehretia microphylla).

Carranglan, Nueva Ecija- Dangla (Vitex negundo). 'The word 'karanglaan' refers to 'a place where dangla grows profusely'.

Casapsapan, Casiguran, Aurora- Sapsap (Nypa fruticans).

An important housing material, Nypa often occurs as pure stands along estuaries and mangrove forests throughout tropical Asia.

Catmon, Cebu (there are also places of the same name in Bulacan and Malabon)- Catmon (Dillenia philippinensis).

Fruits of the catmon (Dillenia philippinensis).

Mt. Cauag (province of Zambales)- Kawag (Syzygium pallidum).

Cubao, Quezon City- Kubao, a variant of Musa acuminata with purple-red fruits. The etymology of Cubao has been contested, with some claiming that it was derived from 'lubluban ng kalabaw' or 'buffalo wallow'. You be the judge.

Culasi, Antique- Culasi (may refer to either Decaspermum parviflorum or Lumnitzera racemosa).

Culiat, Quezon City and Culiat, Angeles City- Culiat (Gnetum gnemon).

Cupang, a barangay in Muntinlupa and in Antipolo (Parkia javanica).

Dadiangas, General Santos City- Dadiangas (Ziziphus sp.)

Dalican, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao- Dalican (Etlingera dalican).

Dambo, Panguil, Laguna- Dambo (Syzygium sp.).

Dampalit, Malabon- Dampalit (Sesuvium portulacastrum).

Dampalit (Sesuvium portulacastrum) is a creeping perennial with succulent leaves that are edible.

Dapdap, Lucban, Quezon- Dapdap (Erythrina variegata).

Dau, Pampanga as well as Dao, Capiz- Dao (Dracontomelon dao).

Dibutunan, Dipaculao, Aurora- Buton (Barringtonia asiatica).

Diliman, Quezon City- Diliman (Stenochlaena palustris).

Stenochlaena palustris is a climbing fern locally known as 'diliman' due to the prodigious shade it gives to the ground below. The word 'diliman', means 'to darken' in Tagalog.

Dingalan, Aurora- Dingkalan (Calophyllum inophyllum).

Hawili, Sariaya, Quezon (also Jawili Falls, Aklan)- Hawili (Ficus septica).

Hawili (Ficus septica) is a very common tree that is bird-dispersed.

Hawilian, Agusan del Sur- Literally "a place of hawili (Ficus septica)".

Gadang, Kapangan, Benguet- Gadang (Meistera propinqua).

Gango, Cagayan de Oro- Gango (Trema orientalis).

Guijo, Angono, Rizal- Guijo (Shorea guiso).

Guiso, Iloilo- Guiso (Shorea guiso).

Gumaca, Quezon- Gumaca (Arenga tremula).

Hagonoy, Bulacan- Hagonoy refers to three plants: hagonoy-sa-lasang, which is an Elaeocarpus, hagonoy-sa-bukid, which refers to Sambucus javanica, and the introduced weed hagonoy (Chromolaena odorata).

Ilin Island- Ilin (Elaeocarpus grandiflorus).

Iloilo City- Iloilo (Aglaia eximia (?).

Indang, Cavite- Indang (Litsea cordata).

Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay- Ipil (Intsia bijuga).

Kabankalan, Negros Occidental- Bankal (Neonauclea sp.)

Kabayan, Benguet- Baay (Pueraria montana var. lobata).

Mt. Kalatungan, Bukidnon- Lingatong (Dendrocnide meyeniana).

Kalambaguhan, Cagayan de Oro- Kalambaguhan, a place where lambog (Hibiscus tiliaceus) grows profusely.

Kalinga- Kalingga (Ficus pungens).

Kalingagan- various places in Misamis Oriental bear this name, which translates to 'a place where kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi) grows'.

Kamagong, Makati ('Kamagong is also a common street name)- Kamagong is the wood of Diospyros blancoi.

Kamuning, Quezon City- Kamuning (Murraya paniculata).

Flowers of the highly scented kamuning (Murraya paniculata).

Kananga, Leyte- Kananga (Cananga odorata).

Kolambog, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat- Kolambog (Hibiscus tiliaceus).

Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte- Kolambugan= a place where many kolambog (Hibiscus tiliaceus) grows.

Kulasihan, Lantapan, Bukidnon and Kulasihan, Lanao del Norte- Kulasihan, which translates to 'a place where culasi (Decaspermum parviflorum) grows'.

Lanete, Taytay, Rizal- Lanete (Wrightia pubescens).

Laua-an, Antique- Laua-an (Shorea sp.)

Lipa, Batangas- Lipa (Dendrocnide meyeniana).

Lucban, Quezon- Lucban (Citrus maxima).

Lumban, Laguna- Lumbang (Aleurites moluccana).

Mabalacat, Pampanga- Mabalacat= literally 'a place with plenty of balacat (Ziziphus talanai)'.

Mabolo, Bacoor, Cavite, as well as Mabolo, Cebu City- Mabolo, the fruits of Diospyros blancoi.

Malagos, Davao City- Malagos (Rhododendron javanicum).

Mangahan, Marikina City, as well as Manggahan, Pasig City and Manggahan, Cavite- Literally 'mango grove'. The widely cultivated Mangifera indica is probably not native to the Philippines, but is provisionally included here until indisputable proof becomes available.

Manila City- From 'may nilad' which translates to 'where nilad (Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea) is'.

Mapandan, Pangasinan- From 'mapandan', or where pandan (Pandanus odorifer) grows profusely.

Maribojoc, Bohol- Malabujoc (Casuarina equisetifolia).

Matagbak Road, Pililla, Rizal, as well as Matagbak, Alfonso, Cavite- Matagbak translates to "a place dense with tagbak (Alpinia elegans).

Mauban, Quezon- Malauban (Planchonia spectabilis).

Mayapis (several places within the NCR bear this name)- Mayapis (Anisoptera thurifera).

Meycauayan, Bulacan- From 'may cauayan', which translates to 'with bamboos'.

Misamis Occidental/Misamis Oriental- Supposedly a concatenation of 'misa' (mass), and 'kuyamis', which is a sport mutation of Cocos nucifera.

Molave, Zamboanga del Sur- Molave (Vitex parviflora).

Paco, Manila- Paco (Diplazium esculentum).

Pajo, Caloocan City- Pajo (Mangifera altissima).

Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro, also Pagatpat, Camarines Sur, and Pagatpat, Zambales- Pagatpat (Sonneratia sp.)

Mt. Palali, Nueva Vizcaya- Palali (Dillenia philippinensis).

Mt. Palemlem, Ilocos Norte- Palimlim, supposedly a species of Buchanania.

Panauan Island, Bolinao, Pangasinan- Panau (Dipterocarpus gracilis).

Pandan, Antique- Pandan (Pandanus odorifer).

Pili, Camarines Sur- Pili (Canarium ovatum).

Pitogo, Quezon (includes identical place names in Makati City, Bohol, Zamboanga del Norte, and Zamboanga del Sur)- Pitogo (Cycas sp.). Coastal towns named after pitogo likely refers to the widespread C. edentata, a common beach species.

Cycas edentata is a commonly encountered beach species. This one was found in Camiguin de Babuyan.

Porac, Pampanga- Porac (Toona ciliata).

Pototan, Pangasinan as well as Pototan, Iloilo- Pototan (Bruguiera sexangula).

Putat (a common barangay and street name in the Philippines)- Putat (Barringtonia racemosa).

Barringtonia racemosa is a frequent denizen of watery areas in the lowlands.

Sagay, Camiguin- Sagay (Claoxylon arboreum).

Santolan, Pasig City as well as Santolan, Malabon City- Literally 'santol grove'. Santol (Sandoricum koetjape).

Savidug, Batanes- Savidug (Terminalia catappa).

Siar, Gen. Trias, Cavite- Siar (Peltophorum pterocarpum).

Sibonga, Cebu- Bunga (Areca catechu).

Silay, Negros Occidental- Kansilay (Cratoxylum sumatranum).

Sugbong Cogon, Misamis Oriental- 'Sugbong cogon' literally translates to 'burnt cogon (Imperata cylindrica)'.

Taal, Batangas- Taal (Intsia bijuga).

Tabauan Island, Tawitawi- Tabauan translates to 'a place teeming with tabau (Lumnitzera littorea).

Tagbakin, Quezon- Tagbakin translates to "a place where dense stands of tagbak (Alpinia elegans) grow."

Tagum, Davao del Sur- Tagum (Indigofera tinctoria).

Mt. Talamitam, Nasugbu. Batangas- Talamitam (Eugenia acuminatissima).

Talanay, Batasan Hills, Quezon City- Talanay (Ziziphus talanai).

Talisay, Batangas, as well as Talisay, Quezon, Talisay City, Cebu, and Talisay City, Negros Occidental- Talisay (Terminalia catappa).

Talisayan, Misamis Oriental- Translates to 'a place with plenty of talisay (Terminalia catappa).

Tanauan, Batangas- Tanaua (Premna odorata).

Tarlac- Tarlac (Saccharum sp.).

Tayabas, Quezon- Tagabas (Diplazium esculentum).

Tiaong, Quezon- Tiaong (Shorea ovata).

Tindalo- many places in Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Agusan del Norte, and Misamis Oriental bear this name, which refers to the tindalo (Afzelia rhomboidea).

Tubili, Occidental Mindoro, as well as Tubli, Caramoran, Catanduanes- Tubili (Derris elliptica). Species of Derris are used to stun fishes in the river. The leaves and bark are poulticed and thrown to the water which then binds with oxygen. The fishes then gasp toward the water surfaces where they are easily scooped. The toxin adheres only to the fishes' gills.

Tumauini, Isabela- Mauini (Strongylodon elmeri).

Strongylodon elmeri

This list is a work in progress and by no means exhaustive- many others probably still await recognition by this post's author. If you know more place names that honors plants, please leave a comment below.

Additonal notes:

Two barangays in the province of Batangas were named after the sampaguita (Jasminum sambac), but are excluded here as the sampaguita is not a Philippine native. Dasol, Pangasinan is also not included as dasol/dosol (Kaempferia galanga) is a medicinal herb that was introduced to the Philippines. Likewise, places bearing the names of bocaue (Dendrocalamus asper), camachile (Pithecellobium dulce), quiapo (Pistia stratiotes), sampaloc (Tamarindus indica), tambis (Syzygium aqueum), and tubuan ('tubo, Saccharum officinarum) plantation') are omitted for the same reasons.

'Balete' is a common street name in the Philippines, and may refer to either Ficus concinna or F. virens. However, the name is also applied on other species of strangler figs.

The claim that the name of Vigan was sourced from 'bigaan' (a place where biga (Alocasia macrorrhizos) grows) is dubious at best, despite the widespread belief that it is so. The Ilocano name for the plant is 'galian/galiang', while 'biga' is a Tagalog term.

The large aroid Cyrtosperma merkusii is locally known as 'palawan', but I doubt if the island was named from this plant. The old name of Palawan is 'Puloan', (pulo=island. Puloan/pulohan=a group of islands). It is entirely possible that it was the plant that was named after the island, and not the other way around.

Special thanks to:

Isabel Joandria Cavada for the addition of Talisay City in Cebu, Mabolo in Cebu City, and for the correction for Sibonga which is in Cebu and not in Cebu City as originally posted.

Melbert Baul for mentioning Binuangan and Talisayan.

Ron Morales for adding Alabang to the list.

Kyle Lugtu for bringing Cubao to my attention, which I totally forgot!

Christian for the addition of Brgy. Cupang in Muntinlupa.