Shorea astylosa


Shorea astylosa is a species of plant in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is endemic to the Philippines, which is known as yakal in Filipino language.Yakal is a medium to large tree about 25 to 30 meters tall.
Its wood is hard and dark brownish-yellow.
Branchlets are rather slender, blackish, and slightly hairy.
Leaves are coriaceous, ovate to lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate or apex acuminate; the base is rounded to cuneate, glabrous above, and slightly hairy underneath. Its blade is 6.5-nine centimeters long and two-4.5 centimeters wide. The petiole is slender, 10-23 millimeters long, and dark.
Inflorescence are axillary, paniculate, and up to about six centimeters long. The flowers of yakal are yellow, very short-stalked, and about 12 millimeters long. Petals narrowly oblong or oblong-lanceolate, more or less twisted in bud, rounded at apex, 18 millimeters long, and reticulate.
Locations
Yakal is commonly found in Luzon, particularly Quezon and Camarines; Samar; Negros; and Mindanao, particularly Zamboanga, Agusan, and Davao. It can also be found in primary forests at low altitudes.
Traditional use
Wood extractions are tumor-inhibiting.
Contemporary use
Yakal is used for high-grade construction, bridges and wharves, mine timber, and other installations requiring high strength and durability.