Edibles and Medicinal

Durio zibethinus (Durian)

Known for its strong odor but rich, creamy, and sweet taste, this large fruit has a thick, spiky husk and is called the “King of Fruits.”

Apium graveolens (Celery)

Has long, ribbed, aromatic stalks and compound leaves; used for flavoring soups and salads.

Carica papaya (Papaya)

A small tree with hollow trunk and large lobed leaves; orange flesh fruit eaten ripe or green in salads.

Petroselinum crispum (Parsley)

A small herb with curly or flat green leaves; used as a garnish or flavoring.

Syzygium cumini (Duhat / Java Plum)

This small, dark purple fruit grows in clusters on large tropical trees. It has a tart flavor and is sometimes used to make wine.

Spondias purpurea (Siniguelas / Spanish Plum)

A small deciduous tree bearing oval red or purple fruits with sweet-sour taste.

Nephelium lappaceum (Rambutan)

A tropical tree with hairy red fruits containing sweet translucent flesh.

Brassica oleracea var. italica (Broccoli)

Has thick green stalks and dense clusters of tiny green flower buds; eaten boiled, steamed, or stir-fried.

Brassica oleracea var. botrytis (Cauliflower)

Compact white flower head surrounded by green leaves; commonly used in soups and stir-fried dishes.

Psidium guajava var. typicum (Bayabas na Lalaki / Wild Guava)

A wild tropical fruit resembling guava but larger and more acidic, often found growing in forests.

Ipomoea aquatica (Kangkong / Water Spinach)

A semi-aquatic vine with hollow stems and long, pointed green leaves; commonly grown in water and used in adobo or sinigang.

Mangifera indica (Mangga / Mango)

A tree with dense canopy and oval fruits turning yellow or green when ripe; eaten fresh or made into dried mangoes.

Capsicum frutescens (Labuyo / Chili Pepper)

A small shrub with slender stems and tiny, spicy red fruits; used as chili seasoning.

Lansium domesticum (Lanzones / Langsat)

A medium tree with smooth-barked trunk and small, round, yellowish fruits with translucent flesh.

Cocos nucifera (Buko / Coconut)

This fruit comes from a tall palm tree. When young, it has soft white flesh and sweet water; when mature, it provides coconut milk and oil.

Sandoricum koetjape (Santol / Cotton Fruit)

A tall tree with rough leaves and round yellowish fruits with sweet or sour white pulp.

Muntingia calabura (Aratiles / Jamaican Cherry)

A small tree with drooping branches and small red sweet berries eaten fresh by children.

Averrhoa bilimbi (Kamias / Bilimbi)

A small tree bearing clusters of green sour fruits shaped like cucumbers; used in sinigang and as souring agent.

Sechium edule (Sayote / Chayote)

A climbing vine with heart-shaped leaves and pear-shaped green fruits; used in soups and sautéed dishes.

Chrysophyllum cainito (Caimito / Star Apple)

A medium tree with shiny leaves, green above and golden beneath; fruits are round with purple or green skin and sweet milky pulp.

Theobroma cacao (Cacao / Cocoa Fruit)

This football-shaped fruit has a thick pod containing sweet, sticky pulp and bitter seeds used to make chocolate.

Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum (Leeks)

Has long white stalks and flat green leaves; mild onion-like flavor, often used in soups.

Artocarpus heterophyllus (Langka / Jackfruit)

This tropical fruit has a large, spiky green rind and yellow, sweet-smelling flesh. It grows on a tall tree and is often used in Filipino desserts like halo-halo and turon.

Citrus maxima (Suha / Pomelo)

A tall citrus tree producing large greenish-yellow fruits with thick rind and pale pink flesh.

Musa acuminata (Saging / Banana)

A large herb with broad leaves and clusters of yellow fruits; eaten fresh or cooked.

Dioscorea alata (Ube / Purple Yam)

Climbing vine with purple tubers; used in making jams, ice cream, and pastries.

Annona muricata (Guyabano / Soursop)

A small tree with glossy leaves and large spiny green fruits with white, sour flesh.

Anacardium occidentale (Kasoy / Cashew Fruit)

This tropical fruit has a juicy, reddish-yellow body with a kidney-shaped seed attached on top. Both the fruit and seed are edible.

Manihot esculenta (Kamoteng Kahoy / Cassava)

A shrub with palmate leaves and starchy tuberous roots; processed for cassava cake or chips.

Citrus aurantium (Dalandan / Bitter Orange)

A small tree with thorny branches and round green-orange fruits; sweet-sour taste used for juice.

Citrullus lanatus (Pakwan / Watermelon)

A trailing vine bearing large green fruits with red, juicy flesh and black seeds.

Diospyros blancoi (Mabolo / Velvet Apple)

This round fruit has velvety red skin and soft, creamy, aromatic flesh. It resembles an apple but has a fuzzy texture.

Syzygium samarangense (Makopa / Wax Apple)

A small tree with glossy leaves and bell-shaped pink fruits with crisp, watery flesh.

Psidium guajava (Bayabas / Guava)

A small tree with smooth bark and round green fruits with white or pink flesh; used for fruit or herbal medicine.

Citrofortunella microcarpa (Calamansi / Calamondin)

A small shrub with small round green fruits used as souring agent or juice flavoring.

Durio zibethinus (Durian)

A large tree with thorn-covered fruits known for their strong odor and creamy yellow flesh.

Brassica oleracea var. capitata (Repolyo / Cabbage)

Forms a tight, round head of smooth green or purple leaves; eaten fresh or cooked in stews.

Lactuca sativa (Lettuce)

A leafy plant with crisp, tender leaves forming a head or rosette; widely used in salads and sandwiches.

Capsicum annuum (Bell Pepper)

Upright plant bearing large, hollow fruits in green, red, or yellow; used in salads and stir-fries.

Annona squamosa (Atis / Sugar Apple)

A small tree with heart-shaped fruits covered in knobby skin; creamy white pulp inside.

Garcinia mangostana (Mangosteen)

A small, round purple fruit with thick rind and juicy white flesh divided into segments. It’s sweet, slightly tangy, and known as the “Queen of Fruits.”

Zea mays (Mais / Corn)

A tall grass with broad leaves and ears filled with rows of kernels; eaten boiled or grilled.

Manilkara zapota (Chico / Sapodilla)

A medium tree with oval leaves and brown rough-skinned fruits with sweet brown flesh.

Tamarindus indica (Sampalok / Tamarind)

This brown podded fruit has sticky, sour pulp used in dishes like sinigang and in tamarind-flavored candies.

Syzygium samarangense (Tambis / Malay Apple)

A bell-shaped, watery fruit with thin pink or red skin and crisp white flesh. It’s mildly sweet and often eaten fresh.

Persea americana (Abokado / Avocado)

A small tree with oval leaves and pear-shaped fruits with creamy green flesh; used in salads or shakes.

Ananas comosus (Pinya / Pineapple)

A low-growing plant with spiny leaves and a sweet, fibrous fruit topped with a leafy crown.

Solanum tuberosum (Patatas / Potato)

An upright plant with compound leaves and underground tubers; used in fries, soups, and stews.

Brassica rapa (Pechay / Bok Choy)

This leafy vegetable has smooth green leaves with thick pale stalks forming a loose cluster. Commonly used in soups and stir-fries.

Syzygium curranii (Lipote / Wild Java Plum)

Similar to duhat but smaller and less common, this fruit is also dark purple when ripe and grows in tight clusters.

Ipomoea batatas (Kamote / Sweet Potato)

A vine with heart-shaped leaves and edible tubers that vary from orange to purple; eaten boiled, fried, or in desserts.

Averrhoa carambola (Balimbing / Starfruit)

A small tree with compound leaves and star-shaped yellow fruits that are crisp and juicy.

Lablab purpureus (Bataw/Hyacinth Bean)

This plant is described as a vigorous climbing legume with purple stems, edible flat broad pods (purple edges).

Phaseolus vulgaris (Sitaw/String Bean)

This plant is described as a climbing bean with trifoliate leaves, white/purple flowers, long green pods.

Allium sativum (Bawang/Garlic)

This plant is described as a bulbous plant with segmented edible bulbs, narrow leaves, and clustered flowers. Widely used in culinary for its aroma and flavor enhancing qualities.

Benincasa hispida (Kundol/Wintermelon)

This plant is described as a climbing vine with large oblong edible fruits that has a waxy coating and hairy leaves.

Pachyrhizus erosus (Singkamas/Jicama)

This plant is described as a climbing vine with trifoliate leaves, blue-violet flowers, edible starchy tuber (typically globe-shaped).

Loofa acutangula (Patola/Angled Luffa)

This plant is described as a climbing vine with long ridged edible fruits, lobed leaves, yellow flowers. The fruit can be dried and used as a bathing scrub too.

Solanum lycopersicum (Kamatis/Tomato)

This plant is described as a bushy or vining plant with pinnate leaves, yellow star-shaped flowers, and widely-used red edible fleshy fruits.

Sesamum indicum (Linga/Sesame)

This plant is described as an annual herb with hairy stems, narrow leaves, tubular flowers, widely used tiny oil-rich edible seeds.

Phaseolus lunatus (Patani/Lima Bean)

This plant is described as climbing legume with trifoliate leaves, flat oval seeds, green pods, and small light purple flowers.

Zingiber officinale (Luya/Ginger)

This plant is described as a perennial herb with aromatic widely-used edible rhizomes, narrow leaves, cone-like inflorescences

Arachis hypogaea (Mani/Peanut)

This plant is described as a low-growing legume with yellow flowers, edible seeds inside its pods develop underground.

Lagenaria siceraria (Upo/Bottle Gourd)

This plant is described as a climbing vine with edible bottle-shaped fruits, heart-shaped leaves, and white flowers.

Brassica juncea (Mustasa/Mustard Greens)

This plant is described as a leafy vegetable with broad crinkled leaves and yellow flowers. It has a more fibrous texture and peppery taste compared to lettuce.

Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (Sigarilyas/Winged Bean)

This plant is described as a climbing legume with four-angled pods, edible leaves, flowers, and tubers.

Solanum melongena (Talong/Eggplant)

This plant is described as a perennial plant with edible purple elongated fruits, broad hairy leaves, violet flowers.

Cucurbita maxima (Kalabasa/Squash)

This plant is described as a sprawling vine with large edible round fruits, orange flesh, trumpet-shaped flowers. What is its scientific name?

Allium cepa (Sibuyas/Onion)

This plant is described as: Bulbous plant with hollow leaves, edible bulbs, clustered flowers. Widely-used for its aroma and releases tear-inducing droplets during cutting.

Raphanus sativus (Labanos/Radish)

This plant is described as a root crop with elongated/round white/pink roots, rough leaves, white/pink flower