Balitbitan (Cynometra ramiflora), also known as Oringen, is a tree native to the Philippines. Its young leaves are distinct due to their unique white or even pink coloration while young.
Botanical Description
Balitbitan (Cynometra ramiflora), also known as Oringen, is a medium sized tree that grows from 16 to 25 meters in height. The leaves are compound and pinnate with a glabrous coriaceous lamina, the leaves when young appear as either pink or beige but gradually turn green as they mature. The leaflets are asymmetrical and oval to lanceolate in shape, its dimensions are around 10 to 13 cm in length and 4 to 6 cm wide, the petiole and petiolules possess a corky or swollen base. The flowers are bisexual and borne upon axils, each flower appears white and smooth, with multiple stamens that curve upward. Eventually the flowers give way to a fruit that is a 1-seeded pod, its shape varies from round to elliptical, the exterior is brown and bears semblance to a brain due its rough or wrinkled appearance, its dimension hover around 3 to 4 cm long by 2 to 3 cm wide.
Uses:
Wood: Used for construction.