According to Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, out of a total of 8, 931 plant species in the Philippines, 850 of them have high medicinal value. This accounts for approximately 9.5% of total plant types in the Philippines. Source: fao.org
Destruction of mass amounts of forest cover mean that a lot of plants that have not been discovered yet but contain medicinal value can be permanently lost and along with that, a possible cure for one or some of today’s plethora of diseases will be lost as well. As such, it becomes important to step up forest rehabilitation efforts to preserve and maintain these forests as they have important value to the ecosystem and the community as a whole. Two endangered plant species native to the Philippines have been described below.
Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
The Jade Vine (scientific name: strongylodon macrobotrys) is a species of leguminous perennial woody vine which is endemic to the Philippines. This plant only grows in the damp riverines of the Philippines. The plant is pollinated by bats which are drawn to the wonderful luminosity of the plant at night. It’s habitat is currently under threat due to massive deforestation in the Philippines. Source: Edenproject.com
The plant is unique to the Philippines and many bees, butterflies and other insects feed on its nectar. Its extinction may be a significant loss to other species in the forests of the Philippines. Source: Endangered plants in the Philippines
Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis)
Almaciga (scientific name: Agathis philippinensis) is a tree species native to the Philippines. This tree was so widely used and cut down for purposes of timber that it became almost extinct. Right now, it is under protection of the Philippine law. Source: Endangered plants in the Philippines