Flora & Fauna - Lipa

Another factor that add challenges in a hike of a Filipino mountaineer, other than Limatik, is a flora named Lipa. Known for its' notorious effect to it's victim's skin such as a burning sensation, severe itchiness and rashes that may last up to 14 days, details of Lipa is a must known for a mountaineer in the Philippines.

Reported found at Mts. Cristobal, Makiling, and Malipunyo, Lipa is a small tree or a shrub that grows up to 3-5 meters, with broad slightly oval leaves that can be 10-22 cm wide, somewhat heart-shaped at the base and shortly pointed at the tip. Lipa's leaves are green and smooth on the upper surface, while the lower one are paler and densely covered with short hair (description from Department of Agriculture as per Pinoymountaineer).

Avoiding Lipa is better than curing skin irritation it made, thus familiarity is recommended. But the question is what is the best to do incase you have been stung by it's hairs? Well, the first thing to do is clean the infected skin with either water or alcohol without rubbing to avoid spreading of hairs. Then, use a duct tape to pull out the hairs of Lipa that pierced into your skin, atleast to minimize the irritation ( Note: this should be immediately done within 10 minutes after the sting).

photo thanks to http://metro-naturalist.com/Plants

Although victims may experience discomfort, there are no reported complications associated with it sting.

There are stories that a famous city at Batangas is named after this plant. It is said that back then, Lipa City was known to be home of this very plant, thus naming after it. But, stories are just stories and will remain stories without evidences and living witness.