Presentation on the plants of El Nido, Palawan, Philippines by experienced field botanist Ulysses Ferreras last December 3, 2011 in Miniloc Island Resort, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. The presentation features the common, interesting, and/or endemic plants of El Nido.

1. THE PLANTS OF EL NIDO Ulysses F. Ferreras Field Botanist

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Unique Plants of El Nido Hoya el-nidicus 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

7. Unique Plants of El Nido Epithema madulidii DISTRIBUTION: El Nido and Coron, Palawan ENDEMIC TO PALAWAN!

8. Unique Plants of El Nido Ixora palawanensis A santan species endemic to Palawan

9. Unique Plants of El Nido Tarenna palawanensis Endemic to Palawan With attractive flowers

10. Unique Plants of El Nido Garcinia busuangensis Known Distribution: Busuanga Endemic to Palawan This tree can be found only in Palawan and nowhere else in the planet!

11. Common Plants of El Nido Pongamia pinnata This tree can usually be seen growing in the beach The oil from the fruit can be used to cure various skin diseases.

12. Common Plants of El Nido Hernandia nymphaefolia This tree can be found growing exclusively in beach sand bars.

13. Common Plants of El Nido Scaevola taccada This shrub is usually found growing exclusively on sand bars.

14. Common Plants of El Nido Wedelia biflora This plant can be found growing on sand bars going inland.

15. Common Plants of El Nido Tacca leontopetaloides 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.

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

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

18. Interesting Plants of El Nido Nepenthes philippinensis This pitcher plant can be found in Snake Island. Pitcher plants have enzymes that break down animal protein such as those found in insects.

19. Interesting Plants of El Nido Xanthostemon speciosus 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.

20. Interesting Plants of El Nido Hoya golamcoiana This shrubby vine has very fragrant flowers common in rock crevices in Big and Small Lagoon, Miniloc Island.

21. Interesting Plants of El Nido Dioscorea hispida 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.

22. Interesting Plants of El Nido Mucuna sp. 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.

23. Interesting Plants of El Nido Pholidota imbricata This orchid can be found attached to limestone rock crevices in Big and Small Lagoon in Miniloc Island.

24. Common Plants of El Nido Rhizophora stylosa This mangrove is common in Snake Island and Lagen.

25. Common Plants of El Nido Ipomoea pes-caprae Popularly known as “ beach morning glory” The sap from the crushed leaves can be used as a first aid treatment for jellyfish stings.

26. Common Plants of El Nido Bruguiera gymnorrhiza 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”.

27. Common Plants of El Nido Orania palindan This plant is abundant inside the forests of Lagen. Fruits of this palm are extremely poisonous

28. Common Plants of El Nido Calotropis gigantea This plant is not a native of the Philippines but has escaped cultivation and is now found throughout the Philippines.

29. Common Plants in El Nido Morinda citrifolia A plant made famous by the popular medicinal drink “Noni Juice”

30. Common Plants of El Nido Capparis sp. The leaves of this plant are favorite food of caterpillar. The stem has thorns.

31. Common Plants of El Nido Hibiscus campylosiphon var. glabrescens Native gumamela of the Philippines. Vidal’s lanutan

32. Common Plants of El Nido Shrub with edible fruits Lepisanthes fruticosa “ balinawnaw”

33. Common Plants of El Nido Gnetum gnemon Plant with edible young leaves and fruits. Locally known as Bago.

34. MARAMING SALAMAT! Everyone should be proud of El Nido’s beautiful native plants. Thank You! Let us all help to conserve and protect them.