Saving Kingdom Plantae
There are about 391,000 species of vascular plants, 369,000 of which are flowering plants. Sadly, 16,306 plants species are threatened with extinction. What should we do?
According to BrightHub, the main reason for a plant to become endangered is the loss of it’s natural habitat. Mainly due to the expansion of man kind. Urban development and land clearing for agricultural purposes contribute to the loss of plant’s natural habitat. Plants can also be endangered to their collection for multiple purposes, for nurseries or aesthetic functions.
During our Botany last semester, we encountered various species of plants. Dissected them, plucked them, chopped and even cut them into pieces. At that time I didn’t know that I am literally killing plants. I only realized that when we brought a lot of well grown plants and threw them in the garbage after our laboratory activity. Our botany teacher randomly asked why is it really easy for us to pick plants and just throw them away after using, when we could have just replanted them. I was so guilty, I was blinded by the thought that plants are living organism too. My simple act of taking plants away from their habitat is similar to what is happening in the present time. People are cutting trees and picking plants for the “development” of humanity. I guess we, humans, are too selfish, we only think for the betterment of our lives. We never consider that there are also organisms that are trying to share the world with us. Our acts of selfishness are threatening these forms of life.
Endangered Plants in the Philippines
Philippines is one the seventeen mega biodiverse countries, containing seventy percent of world ’s plants and animals species due to its geographical location. However, the problem is, the biodiversity in the Philippines is in crisis. Many species are threatened and endangered.
Hoya obscura
Hoya obscura is a fast growing hoya from the Philippines. Characterized by medium-sized veined leaves that range from deep green when grown in shade, to a deep reddish color when grown in sunlight. This hoya is very easy to grow.
Waling-Waling
Euanthe sanderiana is endemic to Mindanao in the provinces of Davao, Cotabato, and Zamboanga where it is found on the trunks of dipterocarp trees. It is commonly called Waling-walingin the Philippines and is also called Sander's Euanthe. The orchid is considered to be the "Queen of Philippine flowers" and is worshiped as a diwata by the native Bagobo people.
Rafflesia philippensis
Rafflesia philippensis is a parasitic plant species of the genus Rafflesia that was named by Blanco in his Flora de Filipinas in 1845. R. philippensisis known only from a mountain located between the provinces of Laguna and Quezon, Luzon where it was first discovered.
Cebu Cinnamon Tree
Cinnamomum cebuense, the Cebu Cinnamon tree, is a species of cinnamon endemic to Cebu Island, Philippines. It was first discovered in Cantipla, Cebu in mid 1980's and described by Kostermanns in 1986. The tree is endemic to the Island of Cebu but several trees are found in the neighboring islands of Camotes and Siquijor.
Cyathea heterochlamydea
Cyathea heterochlamydea is a little-known species of tree fern native to the islands of Luzon, Panay, Negros and Mindanao in the Philippines. The trunk of this plant is erect and usually up to 4 m tall or more. The stipe is warty and/or bears short spines and scales. These scales are dark, glossy and have a narrow pale margin. Sori are borne near the fertilepinnule midvein and are protected by firm, brown indusia.
Almaciga
The Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) is an endangered (threatened) species in the Philippines. Almaciga is an evergreen large tree of the Araucariaceae family that grows up to 65m. It can have a diameter of 2 meters at breast hight and has a smooth, gray bark, sometimes brownish with flaky skin. Its oval leaves narrow gradually at times, sharply, toward the tip.
Philippine Camia
Philippine Garland, Philippine Camia or (Hedychium philippinense K. Schum) is an epiphytic herb with 1 to 3 stems. The terminal flowers are white with a shade of yellow and with crinkled margins. The fruit is a three-sided capsule which turns orange-yellow and bears dark red seeds. Philippine Garland, Philippine Camia is epiphytic grew on trunks and branches of trees in primary forests at altitudes 900 to 1,800m. And its conservation status is very rare.
Bungang-ipot
Bungang-ipot or its Scientific name is ( Areca ipot Becc.) and its family name is(Palmae). Bungang-ipot is a small stocky tree to 4m high and to 12cm in diameter. Its deep orange fruit has a flattened base and a rounded top. Its seeds is oval-shaped. The natives use the nuts for betel-chewing. It is found in primary forests at low and medium altitudes and its conservation status is threatend. While the threats is over-collection for ornamental purposes.
Importance of Plants to our Planet
Some people doesn’t seem to give importance to plants, I think out of humans, animals and plants, plants are the less cared living organisms. Why? Because they don’t move, they don’t show emotions, they just stand still until us, humans, interrupt their way of life. Some people just step on garden, cut down trees, burn forests and pick flowers. As a matter of fact, 250 million roses are produced during Valentine’s day in the year 2018. Imagine all the plants being thrown in the garbage each year, lucky enough if people re-planted them but not everyone cares for the environment.
Plants are indeed everywhere, they are renowned for their colors and different structures. They are used in celebrations and decorations. However, I think we are not well informed of the importance of plants. Plants, together with other bacteria and algae are autotrophs, meaning they can produce their own food and oxygen by converting solar energy to chemical energy in the process called photosynthesis. Plants can also aid our medical needs, to provide remedies from different ailments. Plants provide us income and food. Yet, few of us consider the importance of plants. We see them only for decorative purposes and not on the fact that they provide us oxygen and food, without which there would be no life on earth.
Ways to Conserve and Protect Plants
Booming human population has put many life forms in danger. The problem is removal of a single species can set off a chain reaction affecting others. There are many ways to conserve and protect plants, a very simple way is to grow your own plant instead of buying in supermarkets will not only save you money but help reduce your environmental impact and reduce carbon footprints.
Pesticides can harm fish, birds, insects and non-target plants which leads to devastating impact on pollination and cause imbalance to the whole ecosystem. The use of natural pesticides helps in reducing soil and water contamination and protects animals from further harm.
Lastly, support charities and organizations that aims to protect plants and endangered plant species. Donate your time or extra money to support plant conservation in your area. You can also volunteer in different institutions that informs people of the risk of continual extinction of various plant species.
“The future of the planet concerns all of us, and all of us should do what we can to protect it. As I told the foresters, and the women, you don’t need a diploma to plant a tree.”