DIATA, MEKAELA B.

ARC 3206/19-0639

VARIETY OF PLANTS IN THE PPHILIPINES

The Philippine islands are home to a wide range of flowering plants, herbs, bushes, and trees,
including many endangered species. The country's archipelago provides the best habitats for the growth of
some of the world's most unique flora.
Given its location in the great Malaysian flora, the Philippines' flora boasts a diverse array of
plant species. The Malaysian Phytogeographic Zone is regarded as one of the most important centers for
plant diversity due to the large number and variety of species that inhabit it.[1] The archipelago is
separated from the rest of the world by a continental and deep ocean.
At least one-third of the country's more than 9,250 vascular plant species are endemic.[3] There
are no plant family’s endemic to the country. (Flora of the Philippines, 2022) The families of gingers,
begonias, gesneriads, orchids, pandans, palms, and dipterocarps are particularly rich in endemic species.
For example, two-thirds of the 150 palm species found in the country are found nowhere else on the
planet. As of 2007, over 137 genera and 998 species of orchids were recorded in the Philippines.

ENDEMIC PLANTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

1. Adonidia merrilli (Manila Palm)

A palm tree species indigenous to the Philippines (Palawan and Danjugan Island) This palm
was cultivated for centuries in East Asia before becoming a staple in the West. It is said to have
naturalized in the West Indies and Florida. It is also known as the "Christmas palm" because its fruits
turn bright scarlet in the winter. This palm is typically small
and slender, reaching a height of 25 feet or 8 meters but has
reached heights of over 40 feet in some cases. Most plants
have 5-7 fronds when young, gradually building up the crown
as the palm ages, and can reach 10-12 fronds when mature.
The Adonidia palm, also known as the "mini-royal
palm," adapts well to landscaping, cultivation, and growing in
pots. It can withstand heavy rainfall and short droughts, but it
does not like sea salt. Adonidias prefers direct sunlight but can
tolerate partial shade. They are not cold-hardy (hardy to 35F
when young; 30F when mature), so their perennial outdoor use
is restricted to frost-free zones. It is one of the most common
landscape palms in Southern Florida (used at places like Mar-
A-Lago and the Miami Open tennis tournament), and it is
frequently clustered together in groups of 2-3, sometimes four.
Because it grows as a solitary palm in its natural state, this
grouping of several heads risks the heads competing with each
other. To reduce the risk, nurseries train these palms when they are young to arch outward rather than
straight up.

2. Alocasia clypeolata

Alocasia "Clypeolata Green Shield" is a

species of Alocasia found in the Philippines.
vigorous elephant ear cultivar that is ideal for large
garden spaces due to its thick, leathery leaves that
can withstand heavy rains better than many
Alocasia with thinner leaves. Plant indoors as a
houseplant in temperate zones or set out in a shady
garden site in a tropical garden. If outdoor
temperatures become cool, the plant may go
dormant until the following spring.

3. Alocasia heterophylla
Alocasia heterophylla is an Alocasia species
found in the Philippines. Alocasia heterophylla is a
plant in the Araceae family. It is only found on the
Philippine islands of Luzon, Mindanao, and Polillo.
A. heterophylla can reach a height of 50
centimeters (1.6 feet). It typically bears 3 to 5
leaves. The petiole measures 35 centimeters (1.15
ft) in length. The leaves, as the specific name
implies, vary greatly in shape, even within the same
individual. They are typically triangular, sagittate
(arrow-shaped), or hastate in shape (spear-shaped).
The leaf attachment can be deeply peltate (the inner
margins of the back lobes are fused together behind
the petiole attachment), and shallowly peltate (the
inner margins of the back lobes are fused together),
or non-peltate. The leaves measure 20 to 27
centimeters (7.9 to 10.6 in) in length. The leaf margins are either entire or sinuate (wavy).
A. Alocasia heterophylla is closely related to Alocasia ramosii and Alocasia boyceana, both of
which are endemic to the Philippines and are all classified as Alocasia. Alocasia heterophylla
belongs to the "Heterophylla Group." It differs from the other two in that it has fewer primary lateral
veins (3 to 4) that curve towards the distal end of the leaf, widely separated secondary veins, a
gradually constricting spathe, and a noticeably broader submarginal vein at the leaf margins. A. and
B. A. ramosii and A. ramosii A. boyceana are always non-peltate, whereas A. boyceana is always
peltate. In mature specimens, heterophylla can have peltate leaves.
4. Alocasia micholitziana
 Alocasia micholitziana is a plant in
the Araceae family that is also known as the
green velvet taro or green velvet alocasia. It
is only found on the Philippine Island of
Luzon. It is widely grown as an ornamental
plant all over the world.
Alocasia micholitziana can reach a
height of 50 cm (1.6 ft). It has four to seven
leaves. Petioles are 45 cm (1.48 ft) long and
mottled brownish, reddish, or purple in
color. The upper surface of the leaf blades is
a deep matte green with a velvety texture,
and the lower surface is a paler green. They
are sagittate (arrow-shaped), 40 cm (1.3 ft) long, and 13 cm (5.1 in) wide. On the upper surface,
the leaf veins are white. The leaf margins are strongly undulating to mildly undulating. It has a
shallow peltate texture.
Alocasia micholitziana is endemic to Apayao, Benguet and Ifugao in northern Luzon in
the Philippines. It grows in shady areas in damp lowland forests.

5. Alocasia nycteris

Alocasia nycteris, also known as bat alocasia or batwing alocasia, is a plant in the
Araceae family. It is only found in the Philippine Island of Panay. It is grown as an ornamental
plant.
Alocasia nycteris can reach a height of 1.5 m (4.9 ft). It has 2 to 4 leaves that are covered
in papery cataphylls at the base. The stems are about 12 cm (4.7 in) long and 2 cm (0.79 in)
wide, and they grow erect or horizontally on the ground. The petioles of the leaves are green
with black-green stripes. They range in length from 45 to 100 cm (1.48 to 3.28 ft) and width
from 1.5 to 2 cm (0.59 to 0.79 in). The leaf blades are not peltate and range from hastate
(spearhead-shaped) to sagittate (arrow-
shaped). The upper surface of the leaves is
a dark glossy green, and the underside is a
lighter green. When wet or wilted, the leaf
surfaces are smooth, but when dry or
wilted, they become membranous. At the
widest point, they are 20 to 37 cm (7.9 to
14.6 in) wide. The leaf margins range from
deeply undulated to sub pinnatifid. The
leaf's front lobe is broadly triangular in
shape and pointed at the tip. The back
lobes are about 24 cm (9.4 in) long and
spread out at an angle of about 85° to 95°. The overall shape of the ear lobes resembles
outstretched bat wings, thus the common name. The flowers can be seen alone or in pairs. The
base of the spathe is light green, and the tip is pale yellow. The spadix is less than the spathe in
length. When ripe, they form oblong berries that turn orange. The seeds are round and greenish-
black, measuring about 2 mm (0.079 in) in diameter.
 Alocasia nycteris is found only on Panay Island in the Philippines, from Nabas to Ibajay,
Aklan, and Antique. It grows in the lowlands at elevations ranging from 0 to 20 meters (0 to 66
feet) above sea level. It is common along with roadside shady areas, rocky areas, disturbed
secondary forests, rice fields, and lowland forests.

6. Alocasia sanderiana

Alocasia sanderiana, also known as

the kris plant or Sander's alocasia, is a species
of plant in the Araceae family. It is native to
Northern Mindanao in the Philippines, but it
is widely grown as an ornamental plant
around the world. The International Union for
Conservation of Nature has classified it as
critically endangered in the wild.
Alocasia sanderiana is also known as
the kris plant because its leaf edges resemble
the wavy blade of the kalis sword (also
known as kris or keris). It is a tropical
perennial with upright leaves that can reach a
height of 2 feet (60 cm).
It has a single to a few leaves that are interspersed with papery cataphylls. The leaves are
glossy dark green to blackish-green, with large white to yellowish veins and margins. It has three
to four primary veins that are usually arranged oppositely. Secondary veins emerge from primary
veins at an acute angle. The leaf's underside is usually (but not always) reddish to purple. The
leaves measure 12–16 in (30–40 cm) in length and 6–8 in (15–20 cm) in width. They have
sagittate (arrow-shaped) leaves that range in size from oblong-ovate to broadly lanceolate-ovate.
The margins range from deeply undulated to sub-pinnatifid.

7. Alocasia zebrina

Alocasia zebrina, also known as

zebra plant or zebrina alocasia, is a plant in
the Araceae family. It is only found on the
Philippine islands of Luzon, Mindanao,
Leyte, Samar, Biliran, and Alabat. It is
widely grown as an ornamental plant all
over the world. It is also known as gabing
tigre ("tiger taro") in Tagalog. It is a
threatened species and a collection of A.
Wild zebrina is illegal in the Philippines.
Alocasia zebrina can reach a height
of 1.8 m (5.9 ft). It usually has several
cataphyll-rich leaves. The petiole is
approximately 1.1 m (3.6 ft) long and pale
 green in color, with darker green to brown stripes, hence its common name. The leaf blade is
arrow-shaped (sagittate) and ranges in length from 45 to 100 cm (1.48 to 3.28 ft). It is divided
into two triangular to ovate lobes at the base. It has a leathery texture and is a rich glossy green.
The flowers are borne in pairs and measure approximately 16 cm (6.3 in) in length.  The fruits are
orange in color.
Alocasia zebrina is found only on the Philippine islands of Luzon, Mindanao, Leyte,
Samar, Biliran, and Alabat. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant all over the world.

8. Artocarpus blancoi

Artocarpus blancoi is a plant species native to the Philippines that belongs to the
Moraceae family. Its habitat (low-lying
seasonal forest or thicket growth) is
threatened.

The Filipinos refer to it as tipolo or

Antipolo. Although its seeds and fruits are
edible, its primary uses are in paper
production and as a shade provider. The city
of Antipolo was named after the
aforementioned tree.
Antipolo is a large tree that can grow
to be 30 meters tall. It has the same habit,
size, and leaf characteristics as Artocarpus
altilis (Rimas). Simple, spirally arranged
leaves with one to three pairs of lobes. Petioles with hair are about 8 centimeters long. Stipules
with hairs are about 10 centimeters long. The male inflorescence is smooth and cylindric, 5 to 8
centimeters long, flexuous, and covered in spine-like structures. Fruit is ellipsoid in shape, 10
centimeters long and 7 centimeters in diameter, and ripens to yellow and orange-brown.
Anthocarps grow into 1-centimeter-long spiculate appendages. The seeds are ellipsoid and about
a centimeter long, and they are embedded in the fleshy part of the flesh.

9. Begonia adamsensis

Begonia adamsensis is an endemic Begonia

found in Adams, Ilocos Norte province, Luzon,
Philippines, at an elevation of 308 m above sea level.
Begonia hernandioides' broad-based, peltate leaves,
with a glabrous peduncle, an acuminate tip, and nearly
entire margin, resembled those of this species. There
are some distinctions, however, in that B.
Hernandioides has a red-colored stipule that is
broadly ovate, a pubescent petiole and abaxial lamina,
and elliptic peltate leaves.

10. Begonia balangcodiae

 Begonia balangcodiae is an endemic Begonia species discovered in Sagubo, Kapangan,
Benguet, Philippines. It was allied to B. esculenta Merr., from
which it differs by having a cordate leaf base and white tepals,
whereas the latter has a non-cordate leaf base and vermilion-
colored tepals. On the other hand, this species is similar to B.
leucosticta Warburg, with a cordate leaf base versus a
subcordate leaf base and larger tepals in pistillate flowers
ranging from 12 to 18 mm long versus the latter's 3–5 mm.
Furthermore, this species is related to B. negrosensis
Elmer, in that it has lanceolate, glabrous leaves as opposed to
the latter's obovately oblong, sparsely hairy leaves, and white to
greenish tepals as opposed to the latter's pinkish tepals.
Begonia balangcodiae is found on soil slopes in the
mossy forest of Barangay Sagubo, Municipality of Kapangan,
Province of Benguet, Luzon, Philippines, growing at elevations
of up to 1200 m above sea level.
11. Begonia gironellae

Begonia gironellae is an endemic Begonia found in

Tanabag, Puerto Princesa, in northern Palawan, Philippines.
Both species have widely ovate, variegated leaves and fleshy
hairs fused into a ring at the base of the leaf petiole, which
reminded me of Begonia cleopatrae. Begonia gironellae, on
the other hand, was distinct from B. cleopatrae because of its
rosette habit, rhizome that is shorter to 5 cm long, with very
congested internodes, widely triangular stipules, differently-
sized lamina and bracts, and capsule with wider abaxial
wing. Furthermore, B. B. gironellae is a lowland species
found in broadleaf seaside forests, whereas B. Cleopatrae
grows in a hill forest in the U.S. 400m

12. Begonia quinquealata

Begonia gironellae is an endemic Begonia found in

Tanabag, Puerto Princesa, in northern Palawan,
Philippines. Both species have widely ovate, variegated
leaves and fleshy hairs fused into a ring at the base of the
leaf petiole, which reminded me of Begonia cleopatrae.
Begonia gironellae, on the other hand, was distinct from B.
cleopatrae because of its rosette habit, rhizome that is
shorter to 5 cm long, with very congested internodes,
widely triangular stipules, differently-sized lamina and
bracts, and capsule with wider abaxial wing. Furthermore,
B. B. gironellae is a lowland species found in broadleaf
seaside forests, whereas B. Cleopatrae grows in a hill
forest in the U.S. 400m.
13. Cyrtandra cleopatrae

Cyrtandra cleopatrae is a plant species

endemic to the Philippines in the
Gesneriaceae family. It is a tropical shrub
with caulescent inflorescences composed
of multiple purpled flowers that emerge
from stubby shoots on the plant stem. It
was first collected for science during a
1998 expedition sponsored by the Royal
Botanic Garden Edinburgh[3] from
Cleopatra's Needle (elev. 1550m) in
Palawan, hence the specific epithet
"cleopatrae." In 2001, the taxon was first
described in the Edinburgh Journal of Botany.

14. Diplodiscus paniculatus

A flowering plant of the Malvaceae sensu lato

or Tiliaceae family It can only be found in the
Philippines. Baroba is a tree that can grow up to 20
meters tall and has an irregular bole and buttressed
base [310].
The plant is collected in the wild for its edible seed,
fiber, and timber, all of which are used locally.

15. Dischidia vidalii

Dischidia vidalii, also known as an "ant plant"

or "kangaroo pouch," is a plant native to the
Philippines in the genus Dischidia. vidalii is an
epiphytic climbing plant with clusters of pink or
magenta flowers. This species, like others in its genus
such as Dischidia major and the related genus Hoya,
has evolved a symbiotic relationship with ants. In
addition to small, oval leaves, the plant grows
 significantly larger, with hollow leaves where additional roots grow and ant habitat where water
and debris collect to nourish the roots.
16. Discospermum philippinensis

Discospermum philippinensis is an endemic species

of the genus Discospermum, which is a family of flowering
plants known as the Rubiaceae. The species was described in
2015 after being discovered at an elevation of 623 meters on
Mt. Banahaw, Tayabas, Quezon Province, Philippines.
whitfordii due to its persistent calyx and prominent disk
below the fruit apex. whitfordii because the leaf blades are
much larger in size, the leaf apex is acute to attenuate, the
fruits are faintly ribbed, the thin mesocarp is smaller, and
there are fewer seeds per locule.

17. Discospermum reyesii

Discospermum reyesii is a species of the

genus Discospermum, which is a flowering plant
in the Rubiaceae family. The species was
described in 2018 and was discovered on Mt.
Lantoy in Cebu, Philippines.[1] It closely
resembles D. whitfordii due to their slightly
similar leaf blades, leaf apices, and non-ribbed
fruits[2][3]. However, the species differs from D.
whitfordii is distinguished by its smaller fruits (1
- 1.2 cm in diameter), smaller seed size (1 - 1.4
mm x 1.5 - 2.5 mm in dimensions), and 4 - 6
seeds per locule, whereas D. whitfordii has a fruit
size of 2 - 2.7 cm, a seed size of 5 - 6.5 mm x 5 -
6.5(7) mm, and 5 - 12 seeds per locule.

18. Garcinia binucao

Garcinia binucao is a flowering plant in the Clusiaceae family.

[2] It is a species of Garcinia endemic to the Philippines.[3] It is not
cultivated, but its edible fruits are harvested from the wild for use as a
souring agent in some Filipino dishes.
Binukaw is an evergreen tree with a trunk diameter of 40 cm
(16 in) and a maximum height of around 25 m (82 ft). The leaves are
oblong to obovate in shape and range in size from 5 to 12 cm (2.0 to
4.7 in) long and 4 to 7 cm (1.6 to 2.8 in) wide. The flowers range in
color from reddish to creamy white. The fruits are round, 4 cm (1.6
in) in diameter, with juicy pulp and numerous seeds.

19. Hopea acuminata

 Hopea acuminata is a plant species in the
Dipterocarpaceae family. It is only found in the
Philippines. It is a hard straight-grained wood that was
used to build the early Manila galleons; it is so dense
that it is not affected by wood-boring insects and, one
assumes, marine worms. It is locally known as
manggachapui and also dalingdingan.

20. Hoya aurigueana

Hoya aurigueana is an endemic species of

porcelain flower or wax plant found in Quezon
province, Luzon, Philippines. It is an Asclepiad
species of flowering plant in the Apocynaceae
dogbane family described in 2012 by Kloppenburg,
Siar, and Cajano. Hoya aurigueana is a species of
Hoya.

21. Hoya benstoneana

Hoya aurigueana is an endemic species of porcelain

flower or wax plant found in Quezon province, Luzon,
Philippines. It is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant in the
Apocynaceae dogbane family described in 2012 by
Kloppenburg, Siar, and Cajano. Hoya aurigueana is a species of
Hoya.
The specific epithet, benstoneana named in honor of Dr.
Benjamin C. Stone, who worked as a Principal investigator of
the Flora of the Philippines Project.

22. Hoya meliflua

Hoya meliflua is an endemic vine in the

Apocynaceae family. The vine is native to Apayao, La
Union, Rizal, Bataan, Laguna, Mindoro, Palawan, Negros,
Panay, and Leyte.
Hoya meliflua has stiff succulent leaves with no
venation and a very clean appearance.
 The flowers are reddish orange with nectaries near the base of the central column that
produce a dark sap that stains easily. In fact, its name is derived from the words "mellis"
(honeydew) and "fluo" (flow), referring to the plant's dark nectar that stains the flowers. In the
Philippines, the plant blooms in June, with each flower cluster containing 10-20 flowers.

23. Hoya persicina

Hoya persicina is an endemic species of

porcelain flower or wax plant found in the
Philippines[3]. It is an Asclepiad species of flowering
plant in the Apocynaceae dogbane family described in
2012 by Kloppenburg et al. Hoya persicina is a species
of Hoya with a peach-colored corolla in its flower.

24. Hoya valmayoriana

Hoya valmayoriana is an endemic species of porcelain flower or wax plant found in the
Philippines. It is an Asclepiad species of flowering plant
in the Apocynaceae dogbane family described in 2012
by Kloppenburg et al. Hoya valmayoriana is a species of
Hoya with a peach-colored corolla in its flower. This
species, along with seven other hoyas, was originally
collected in October 1988 by David M. Cummings
(collection number DMC 1622) in a dense forest along
the roadside 34 kilometers north of Lake Bulusan. The
distance is measured from the main road junction
heading towards Lake Bulusan in Sorsogon Province,
Philippines - the same location as Hoya davidcummingii Kloppenburg (1995). In May 2012, Mr.
Cummings emailed the first author to confirm.

25. Macaranga grandifolia

Macaranga grandifolia is a flowering plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. This plant is also
known as a nasturtium tree, a parasol leaf tree, and
a bingabing. It is native to the Philippines and has
been widely cultivated as a tropical ornamental in
Hawaii. Because of its extraordinary grandiose
leaves, which are rounded-ovate in shape, with
prominent reddish veins and the stem attached
towards the center of the leaf blade, this plant has
become a very popular garden ornamental in many
parts of the tropics. The males are held in coral-
like, congested inflorescences, and the flowers are
pinkish-red. The bark was used to make twine, and
 the wood was used to make fishing spears. Food was wrapped in the leaves. Birds consume ripe
fruit.

26. Medinilla cummingii

The chandelier tree, Medinilla cummingii,

is a flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae
that is native to the Philippines' mossy forest at
700–1,000 m (2,300–3,300 ft) altitude. It is a small
shrub that grows to a height of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft),
with ternate or quaternate leaves and many-
flowered, pendant panicles up to 25 cm (9.8 in)
long. When ripe, the fruits are 5–7 mm in diameter
and range in color from pink to purplish to bluish-black.

27. Nepenthes alata

Nepenthes alata (/npniz lt/; from Latin

alatus "winged") is a tropical pitcher plant endemic
to the Philippines. It is carnivorous, using its
nectar to attract insects that drown in the pitcher
and are digested by the plant. It is highly
polymorphic, and its taxonomy is constantly being
revised.
28. Petersianthus quadrialatus

Petersianthus quadrialatus (also known

as toog and Philippine rosewood) is an
emergent tropical rainforest tree species in the
Lecythidaceae family. In the Visayas region, it
is known as kapullan, while in Samar and
Leyte, it is known as magtalisai. It is an
indigenous tree species in the southeastern
Philippines and one of the largest tree species
on the Philippine islands.
Morphology
The leaves are obovate, simple, spirally
arranged, 10–16 cm long, and 5–8 cm wide.
The base is acutely acuminate, with a long cuneate apex and a rounded caudate apex. The
petioles are glossy and dark green, with short soft hairs. Fruits are in the form of capsules with a
flat circular outline and four large winged seeds.
Growth and Size
Natural regeneration is extremely rare. Seedlings can be found up to 200 meters away
from mother trees, particularly between buttresses. A 2-year-old plantation increased in height
by 0.7 – 2.9 m and in diameter by 0.6 – 3.8 cm. Petersianthus quadrialatus trees are easily
coppiced.
 A deciduous, medium to large rainforest tree that can reach 40–60 m in height and 80-
100 (occasionally -250-370) cm in diameter at breast height. The trunk is straight, cylindrical,
and branchless, measuring 20–30 m in length. Buttresses can reach heights of up to 2 m at times.

29. Phalaenopsis lindenii

Phalaenopsis lindenii is a plant species in the

Orchidaceae family named after Belgian botanist Jean
Jules Linden. It is only found on the Philippine island
of Luzon. Its natural habitat is moist lowland forests
that are either subtropical or tropical.

30. Strongylodon macrobotrys

Strongylodon macrobotrys, also known as the jade vine, emerald vine, or turquoise jade
vine, is a species of leguminous perennial liana (woody vine) endemic to the tropical forests of
the Philippines, with stems that can reach up to 18 m in
length. It is a member of the Fabaceae (the pea and bean
family) and is closely related to beans such as kidney bean
and runner bean.
Strongylodon macrobotrys, also known as jade vine,
emerald vine, or turquoise jade vine, is a species of
leguminous perennial liana (woody vine) endemic to the
tropical forests of the Philippines, with stems up to 18 m
long. It is a member of the Fabaceae (the pea and bean
family) and is closely related to beans such as kidney bean
and runner bean.
The plant grows alongside streams, in moist forests,
and in ravines. Mature vines are the only ones that produce
inflorescences. Each bloom resembles a stout-bodied
butterfly with folded wings; they have evolved certain
modifications to be pollinated by a species of bat that hangs upside down on the inflorescence to
drink its nectar.

NATIVE PLANTS OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. Philippine Teak (Tectona Philippinensis)

 The Verbenaceae family includes Philippine
Teak (Tectona philippinensis). The species can reach
a height of 15-25 meters and has elliptic-ovate
lanceolata leaves with rough surfaces, a pale
underside, and a light greenish top. The blooms are
bright purple. It bears hairy drupe fruits that are
about 13 cm long. It has a distinctive flaky brown
bark. The species is found in the provinces of Lobo,
San Juan municipalities, and Batangas on Luzon
Island, as well as the barangays of Occidental
Mindoro, Katayungan, and Baclayon on Iling Island.
It prefers limestone forests from the coast to the
lowlands. It is the dominant species in semi-
deciduous forests.
The species is critically endangered, with
only a few small populations remaining in the
Molave Forest of Lobo. The conversion of Tectona
philippinensis habits into farmlands, logging of
young trees, and urban exploitation all pose threats to the species' survival. There is no legal
protection for the areas where the Philippine teak grows. However, Fauna and Flora International
is attempting to fund a recovery program for the species led by the Philippine National Museum
in Manila.

2. Kalingag (Cinnamomum Mercadoi)

The Lauraceae family includes kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi). The plant species is
native to the Philippines, where it grows in forests at elevations ranging from 300 to 700 meters,
and sometimes as high as 2,000 meters. The species thrives
in subtropical and medium temperate forest environments
with high humidity and consistent mild temperatures. The
seed is dispersed by the fruit-specialized hornbill, which
spreads the species across the island. With a pale green
background, the leaves are simple, sub-opposite, or
opposite. It has smooth petals that are rarely exerted. The
bark is covered in corky pustules, giving it a slightly rough
appearance. The flowers are greenish-yellowish in color.
The fruits are smooth and shiny, with soft elliptic seeds.
Consecutive forest loss in the Philippines, as well as
overharvesting of cinnamon plants, make it difficult.

3. Tibatib (Epipremnum pinnatum)

Tibatib is sometimes referred to as the "Monstera of

the Philippines," but only because of its appearance. This
endemic plant is of a different species, though it grows at the
 same rate as the former. Its leaves have the potential to grow enormously large as well, especially
if allowed to climb.
Tibatib is known to tolerate drought and low-light conditions, making it ideal for indoor
use. However, if you place the plant in a location with bright, indirect sunlight, it will thrive.

4. Bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum)

Calophyllum inophyllum, also known as tamanu, oil-nut, mastwood, beach calophyllum,

or beautyleaf, is a large evergreen plant. It is native to
Wallacea and tropical Asia. Because of its importance
as a source of timber for the traditional shipbuilding
of large outrigger ships, it was spread in prehistoric
times by Austronesian peoples' migrations to the
islands of Oceania and Madagascar, along with other
members of the genus Calophyllum. It has since
become naturalized along the East African coast. It
also produces the culturally significant tamanu oil.

5. Kapal-kapal (Calotropis gigantea)

Kapal-kapal is a medium-sized shrub that grows to a height of 2 to 4 meters, with

appressed white hairs on the young parts. The bark is
white. Leaves are obovate or oblong, 10 to 20 cm
long, 3 to 8 cm wide, cottony beneath, pointed at the
tip, and heart-shaped at the base. Flowers have a
faint, unappealing odor, are downy on the outside,
and are arranged in axillary or subterminal, simple or
compound inflorescences. The corolla is 1.5 to 2.5
centimeters across, usually white, but occasionally
dull-purple or purplish-lilac; the lobes are ovate-
lanceolate and spread. Fruit is a recurved follicle 7.5
to 10 centimeters long. The seeds are ovate in shape, 5 to 6 millimeters long, and have a bright,
silky-white coma.

6. Mali-mali (Leea guineensis)

The Makiling Botanic Gardens Plant of the Month for August

2019 is Leea guineensis G.Don, also known as "Mali-mali." Mali-mali
is a member of the Vitaceae family and is found throughout Tropical
Africa, Tropical Asia, and the Philippines.

Mali-mali has numerous applications. Its roots, twigs, and

leaves can be used as medicine for a variety of illnesses, as well as a
source of essential oils extracted from its woods and leaves. It is also
 an important food source for a variety of insect pollinators (i.e. flies, wasps, bees, butterflies,
beetles).

CONCLUSION
These plant species are economically and ecologically significant. The species adapt to the
environmental conditions of the area by growing and blooming in the same biotype as the forests.
Because most of the land in the Philippines is not legally protected, endemic species face the same threats
as forests, agriculture, urban expansion, development, and illegal logging. As a result, the country should
take precautionary measures to protect the native flora from human exploitation.
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