THE PLANTS OF EL NIDO

Ulysses F. Ferreras Field Botanist

Some important terms to remember:

ENDEMIC - plants confined to the Philippines or with a restricted local distribution. - INDIGENOUS - plants native to the Philippines but could also be found naturally in neighboring countries. - NATURALIZED - exotic plants introduced but escaped cultivation.

Plant Diversity in the Philippines

There are 8,000 flowering plants in the Philippines.

40% are considered ENDEMIC and can only be found in the country.

There are only only 2-3% virgin forest Left in the country. Philippines is considered to be the hottest Biodiversity Hotspot in the world.

PLANT DIVERSITY IN PALAWAN

Most plants found in Palawan are similar to plants of Borneo. This is because Palawan and Borneo were once connected by land bridges.

There are many endemic plants in Palawan.

PLANT DIVERSITY IN EL NIDO

El Nido is home to many plants and animals that are endemic to the area.

There are three types of forests found in the area: >Forest over limestone >Ultramafic forest >Mangrove Forest

Unique Plants of El Nido

Plant collected in El Nido by the late Prof. Juan Pancho and described as a new species in 1991.

So far known only from the Islands of Palawan, including El Nido and Coron

Hoya el-nidicus

Unique Plants of El Nido

DISTRIBUTION: El Nido and Coron, Palawan

ENDEMIC TO PALAWAN!

Epithema madulidii

Unique Plants of El Nido

A santan species endemic to Palawan

Ixora palawanensis

Unique Plants of El Nido

Endemic to Palawan With attractive flowers

Tarenna palawanensis

Unique Plants of El Nido

Known Distribution: Busuanga

Endemic to Palawan This tree can be found only in Palawan and nowhere else in the planet!

Garcinia busuangensis

Common Plants of El Nido

This tree can usually be seen growing in the beach

The oil from the fruit can be used to cure various skin diseases.

Pongamia pinnata

Common Plants of El Nido

This tree can be found growing exclusively in beach sand bars.

Hernandia nymphaefolia

Common Plants of El Nido

This shrub is usually found growing exclusively on sand bars.

Scaevola taccada

Common Plants of El Nido

This plant can be found growing on sand bars going inland.

Wedelia biflora

Common Plants of El Nido

This plant can usually be found growing in the beach and in limestone crevices. The tubers of this plant can be eaten in case you are stranded on an Island.
Tacca leontopetaloides

Common Plants of El Nido

This plant can be found growing in and outside the forest of Lagen. Fruits of this plant are eaten by wild pigeons.
Leea guineensis

Interesting Plants of El Nido

The wood from this tree is resistant to fire. This tree can be found inside the forests of Lagen.
Deehasia incrassata

Interesting Plants of El Nido

This pitcher plant can be found in Snake Island. Pitcher plants have enzymes that break down animal protein such as those found in insects.

Nepenthes philippinensis

Interesting Plants of El Nido

This tree is locally known as mangkono. It yields hard, heavy wood but it grows very slowly. It is usually found in areas where the soil is rich in nickel and other heavy metals that are harmful to other plants.

Xanthostemon speciosus

Interesting Plants of El Nido

This shrubby vine has very fragrant flowers common in rock crevices in Big and Small Lagoon, Miniloc Island.

Hoya golamcoiana

Interesting Plants of El Nido

Popular among natives as a delicious type of yam but has to be processed by slicing finely and placed in running water for 3-4 days and boiled carefully to remove the toxic principle which is a form of cyanide.

Dioscorea hispida

Interesting Plants of El Nido

This clambering vine can be found In Big and Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island. The fruits possess stinging, irritating hairs that when it comes into skin contact, produce an itch similar to that of being stung by the hairs of a caterpillar.
Mucuna sp.

Interesting Plants of El Nido

This orchid can be found attached to limestone rock crevices in Big and Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island.

Pholidota imbricata

Common Plants of El Nido

This mangrove is common in Snake Island and Lagen.

Rhizophora stylosa

Common Plants of El Nido

Popularly known as beach morning glory The sap from the crushed leaves can be used as a first aid treatment for jellyfish stings.

Ipomoea pes-caprae

Common Plants of El Nido

This Bruguiera is different from others by possesing the largest leaves among Bruguieras. The powdered bark is used in the processing of a popular local alcoholic drink called tuba.

Bruguiera gymnorrhiza

Common Plants of El Nido

This plant is abundant inside the forests of Lagen. Fruits of this palm are extremely poisonous

Orania palindan

Common Plants of El Nido

This plant is not a native of the Philippines but has escaped cultivation and is now found throughout the Philippines.

Calotropis gigantea

Common Plants in El Nido

A plant made famous by the popular medicinal drink Noni Juice

Morinda citrifolia

Common Plants of El Nido

The leaves of this plant are favorite food of caterpillar. The stem has thorns.
Capparis sp.

Common Plants of El Nido

Native gumamela of the Philippines. Vidals lanutan

Hibiscus campylosiphon var. glabrescens

Common Plants of El Nido

Shrub with edible fruits

Lepisanthes fruticosa balinawnaw

Common Plants of El Nido

Plant with edible young leaves and fruits. Locally known as Bago.

Gnetum gnemon

Everyone should be proud of El Nidos beautiful native plants. Let us all help to conserve and protect them.

MARAMING SALAMAT!
Thank You!