The Makeshift Cinnamon Nursery

Last summer Cel Tungol and I chanced upon the flowering sole Cinnamomum mercadoi (or kalingag) tree I know growing in UP. Cinnamomum is a native genus of trees (with reported 17 species from the Philippines, including the endangered Cinnamomum cebuense). The genus is also popular because some of the members' wood bark yields excellent cinnamon flavoring.

Like in any other native tree we encounter, we went around its base trying to spot falling fruits or seedlings. There were none. But we chanced upon Nana Paterna who takes care of the grounds maintenance. She was very familiar with the cinnamon tree and swears that the tree does sprout seedlings around its base. She even promised to collect the seedlings in the coming months.

About the time of first semester enrollment, I tried my luck going back to Nana Paterna to ask for the cinnamon seedlings. But my luck was short then because she only collected a single specimen. But I was quite positive because after all the one seedling indicates the tree is fertile to produce viable seedlings.

Last week I again tried my luck asking Nana Paterna for more and was in luck. At a small corner of the building landscape she had tucked in the groundcovers a makeshift nursery for the seedlings. She planted them in discarded noodle and softdrink cups. I was excited to see them lined up neatly beside the concrete pathwalk. I counted them all and there were more than fifty (thank you, Nana Paterna). I was already counting in my mind the people who would receive the bounty. Part of the loot was given to Cel Tungol and Prof. Ed Gomez to rear and plant in other parts of UP. Some I gave to other collectors. I took some home. But in the spirit of Christmas I am giving away a seedling to the first five people, to be picked up in UP. So, Christmas cinnamon, anyone?

I will count the responses in www.pinoytrees.blogspot.com (not in facebook post, to be fair).