Endangered

Plants
in the
Philippines

Section: CBET-02-503e
Submitted by: Group 1
Pillos, Yerelyn
Poserio, Ma. Lolita Honey B.
Ramos, Danah Bianca Q.

Waling Waling (Vanda

sanderiana)
-is an epiphyte that grows on branches of
tall dipterocarp trees. It is 25-100cm tall
with long narrow leaves. The sepals are
greenish with purple streaks and irregular
spots. Though similar to the petals, the
sepals are smaller, rose purple in color and
have purple spots on the lower margins
near the base. Its habitat is usually trees found in dipterocarp forests at low and medium
altitudes and seldom over 500 m.a.s.l. adn conservation status endangered.
Waling-Waling or Vanda sanderiana, is described as the "Queen of Philippine Orchids". One of
the largest species in the world, waling-waling was discovered by German Taxonomist
Heinrich Gustav Reicheinback in Mindanao in 1882. Since then, it has become the most
sought-after flower in Mindanao. The discovery of Waling-Waling has influenced another
thousand colorful and attractive vandaceous hybrids that are now part of the world's
multibillion-dollar orchid and cutflower industry.
Waling-Waling is famous for its large and colorful hybrids. It grows on tree trunks in the
rainforests of Davao, Sultan Kudarat and other parts of Mindanao. The plant is most widely
recognized around the base of Mount Apo, the highest peak of the island of Mindanao. It is
appreciated because of the long lasting nature of its floral blooms. It blooms only once a
year, between July and October. However, the continuous plunder of this prized specimen
has brought it to near extinction. Its prestige as a national symbol makes the endangered
status of the plant even more urgent.
The massive deforestation in Mindanao threatens the region's wildlife, including WalingWaling which used to abound in the tropical forest of Mount Apo and its surrounding areas.
Today, it is believed that Waling-Waling has more species abroad, particularly in Singapore,
Thailand, Hong Kong and Hawaii.
Of the 8,000 flowering plants in the world, about 3,500 are endemic or found only in the
Philippines. Human activities, however, pose a great threat to their existence. Experts claim
that the country's forest cover has been destroyed at a rate of 2.5 percent annually during
the last 20 years. This is three times the world average rate of forest devastation.
In 1972, the country had about 10.4 million hectares of natural forests covering 34 percent
of the country's total land area of 30 million hectares. Only 17 years later, this had been
reduced to 6.16 million hectares or only 20.52 percent of the total land area.
The plunder of Philippine wildlife continues in spite of a law that is meant to protect the
native flora in the country. The Republic Act No. 3983 prescribes conditions under which wild
flowers and plants may be collected, kept, sold, exported, and for other purposes. But
environmentalists believe that it requires more than a law to preserve the remnants of the
country's natural heritage. It requires the active support of the people.
Waling-Waling used to be found only in the Philippines.

References: http://www.ehow.com/list_7297876_endangered-plants-philippines.html
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Vanda_sanderiana
http://www.txtmania.com/articles/waling.php

Attenborough's pitcher plant

(Nepenthes attenboroughii )
-is a montane species of insectivorous pitcher plant of
the genus Nepenthes. It is named after the celebrated
broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough, who
is a keen enthusiast of the genus. The species is
characterized by its large and distinctive bell-shaped
lower and upper pitchers and narrow, upright lid.
The type specimen of N. attenboroughii was collected
on the summit of Mount Victoria,
an ultramafic mountain in central Palawan,
the Philippines.
Nepenthes attenboroughii is a terrestrial upright or
scrambling shrub. The stem, which may be up to 3.5 cm
thick, is circular in cross section and attains a height of up to 1.5 m. The leaves
are coriaceous and sessile or sub-etiolate. The leaves of rosettes are up to 30 cm long and
10 cm wide, whereas those of the scrambling stem are up to 40 cm long and 15 cm wide.
The leaves are oblong to elliptic, obtuse at the apex and shortly attenuate at the base,
clasping the stem by approximately two-thirds of its circumference and
becoming decurrent for 23 cm.
Nepenthes attenboroughii produces some of the largest pitchers in the genus, sometimes
exceeding those of typical N. rajah in size, but is not known to have exceeded the size and
volume records set by that species. The largest recorded pitcher
ofN. attenboroughii measured more than 1.5 liters in volume, and traps exceeding 2 liters
are likely to be produced on occasion. The lower pitchers are brittle and campanulate (bellshaped), up to 30 cm tall and 16 cm wide and emerge from tendrils that are 3040 cm long
and 49 mm in diameter. The tendrils are flattened towards the leaf, making them almost
semi-circular in cross section.
The upper pitchers are similar to the lower pitchers, but generally infundibular, to 25 cm tall
and 12 cm wide.
Nepenthes attenboroughii has a racemose inflorescence up to 80 cm long. The male flower
spike bears approximately 100pedicellate flowers on a rachis up to 45 cm long and is
recorded to bifurcate on occasion. The flowers lack bracts and produce red petals that are
broadly ovate with an obtuse apex.
The female inflorescence is shorter, to 65 cm long, never bifurcates, and bears up to 70
densely arranged flowers on a compact rachis up to 20 cm long. The petals are brown to
purple, ovate, and have an acute apex.
This species is endemic to the Victoria Massif in Palawan. There, it grows from 1450 m above
sea level to the summit of Mount Victoria at 1726 m. Originally known only from Mount
Victoria itself, it has since been found on the largest peak of the Victoria Massif, Mount
Sagpaw, and along the connecting ridges from the site of first collection. [13][14][15][16] The
species is found among shrubs 0.81.8 m tall in relatively scattered populations of plants on
rocky, ultramafic soil. It is not sympatric with other Nepenthes species and no natural
hybrids have been recorded.

Nepenthes attenboroughii is assessed as Critically Endangered by the World Conservation

Union (IUCN) on account of its restricted distribution and the threat posed by plant poachers.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepenthes_attenboroughii

Jade Vine (Strongylodon

macrobotrys)
-The Jade Vine is a floral vine unique to the Philippines
which can be found in Luzon, Mindoro and Catanduanes Islands.
Known locally as Tayabak, the plant produces
aquamarine-colored blooms that open into jade-colored
flowers. The flowering vines hang from trees, with the
flowers growing in clumps, or bunches, averaging about
90 centimeters in length. The jade-colored flowers grow
to be nearly 8 centimeters in length and resemble the
shape of a butterfly with folded wings. The plants attract
butterflies, bees, bats, and birds, all of which feed on the
flower's nectar and help spread pollen to neighboring
plants. The loss of this plant would mean the loss of a
treasure unique to the Philippines.
Reasons for Endangerment
Despite its relative hardiness, the green jade flower is listed as a vulnerable plant.
Mealybugs, a natural predator, are a contributing factor. Its main reason for endangerment is
the rapid destruction and disappearance of its habitats in the rainforests of the Philippines
and other Asian islands.
Preventing Extinction
There is an organization called Kew that is working to combat climate change and help save
endangered plant life. The environment-conscious efforts of organizations like Kew help to
preserve the habitats of the green jade flower and other endangered species.
References: http://www.ehow.com/list_7297876_endangered-plantsphilippines.html#ixzz2fhsYWdI3
http://biodiversitywarriors.wikispaces.com/Jade+Vine

Deforestation is the major contributing factor to the loss of natural habitat of the countrys
endangered species. Other reasons why species become endangered include overcollection
or exploitation, introduction of other species, disease, pollution, and limited distribution,
among others.
Globally, an international agreement called Convention on Biological Diversity was
negotiated under the umbrella of the United Nations to conserve biodiversity. Critical plant
sites or centers of plant diversity were identified as areas of great importance for
conservation. Locally, these areas include Mount Apo in Mindanao, Mount Pulog in Luzon,
Camiguin Island , Bohol Island , Batanes Island , Sibuyan Island in Romblon Province , and
Palanan Wilderness area in Luzon .
The responsibility of taking action in the game of conservation does not only rest on the
shoulders of scientists and environmentalists. Jane Smart, Director of IUCNs Biodiversity

Conservation Group said its time for governments to get serious about saving species and
make sure that its high on their agendas, as we are rapidly running out of time. With the
declaration of 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity (IYB), each one should be reminded
of his/her role in conserving biodiversity as part of the community, country, and the planet.
Reference: http://tuklasinnatin.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/getting-to-know-someendangered-plants-in-the-philippines/