Manila Elemi

Manila Elemi (Canarium luzonicum) is a tall, evergreen tree in the Burseraceae family, native to the Philippines. A canopy species that can reach about 30 meters in height, it grows best in full sun with consistently moist soil that may range from light sand to heavy clay. It is suited to warm climates within hardiness zones 10 to 12 and is not considered drought resistant. The species has also been introduced to the Caroline Islands beyond its native range. The tree is valued for an unusual breadth of uses drawn from a single plant. Its resin is the source of an essential oil, while the timber supplies lumber, and these materials feed into products such as varnish, ink, oil-based preparations, tannin, and waterproofing agents. The plant is likewise regarded as a natural pest control resource, giving it a wide role in local industry and craft. As a food plant, Manila Elemi is noted for its fruit, seeds, and shoots, with the oil extracted from it also listed among its edible uses. Because so many of its applications involve resins, oils, and other extracted materials, the tree is chiefly an industrial and subsistence resource rather than a garden ornamental. Its many products, combined with its presence in both its native Philippine range and introduced settings like the Caroline Islands, make it an economically important member of its family.