PlantsMap

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10 plants worth knowing

Philippines

The Philippines is an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands with an equatorial and monsoon climate, regularly struck by typhoons. Their isolation means that much of the flora is endemic – especially the orchids, pitcher plants and dipterocarp trees of the rainforests of Mindanao, Palawan and Luzon. The lowlands are dominated by farmland with rice paddies and vast coconut groves, while in the Cordillera Central rice terraces sit alongside pine forests.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Arabian jasmine 1

    shrub · National flower of the Philippines

    Arabian jasmine

    Jasminum sambac

    Garlands of fragrant sampaguita are sold outside every church – a symbol of purity, fidelity and simplicity.
  2. Narra 2

    tree · National tree of the Philippines

    Narra

    Pterocarpus indicus

    A mighty national tree with reddish wood, from which the most valuable Filipino furniture was made.
  3. Waling-waling 3

    orchid

    Waling-waling

    Vanda sanderiana

    The “queen of Philippine flowers” – a rare orchid from Mindanao, revered by the Bagobo people as a deity.
  4. Abacá 4

    crop

    Abacá

    Musa textilis

    The fibres of this wild banana give “Manila hemp” – the strongest natural fibre, once used to make ships’ ropes.
  5. Coconut palm 5

    palm

    Coconut palm

    Cocos nucifera

    The “tree of life” – the Philippines is one of the two largest coconut producers, with palms covering more than 3 million ha.
  6. Rice 6

    crop

    Rice

    Oryza sativa

    The Ifugao rice terraces are called the “eighth wonder of the world”, and no Filipino can imagine a meal without kanin – cooked rice.
  7. Mango 7

    tree · Unofficial national fruit of the Philippines

    Mango

    Mangifera indica

    The Philippine Carabao variety is said to be one of the sweetest mangoes in the world, and dried mango from Cebu is a favourite souvenir.
  8. Footstool palm 8

    palm · Unofficial national leaf of the Philippines

    Footstool palm

    Saribus rotundifolius

    The fan-shaped anahaw is regarded as the unofficial national leaf of the Philippines – once used for thatch, hats and fans.
  9. Ylang-ylang 9

    tree

    Ylang-ylang

    Cananga odorata

    The name ylang-ylang comes from Tagalog, and the oil from this tree’s fragrant yellow flowers goes into many famous perfumes.
  10. Calamansi 10

    crop

    Calamansi

    Citrus × microcarpa

    Calamansi is a small, sour citrus that Filipinos add to almost everything – from pancit noodles to soy sauce and refreshing juice.