Threatened Plants of the Philippines: Cycas curranii

Scientific name: Cycas curranii (J. Schust.) K.D. Hill.

Local name: Curran’s pitogo (Engl.); Pitogong-Palawan (Tag.)

Family: Cycadaceae

Distribution: Palawan (Aborlan, Narra and Puerto Princesa). Probably in other places of the Island) and Mindoro Oriental. In lowland forests over ultrabasic soils and open grasslands. Endemic.

Description: A large cycad to 8 m tall and trunk to 25 cm diameter, thick and corky. Leaves large, to 2.5 m long, petiole to 35 cm long, with spines on the margins. Leaflets dark green, glossy to semi glossy, up to 150 on each side of rachis; median leaflets discolorous. Pollen cones spindle shaped, greenish to brownish cream. Megasporophyll to 20 cm long, finely hairy. Seeds subglobose to ovoid, to 4 .5 cm long and to 4.0 cm wide, yellow. Sclerotesta longitudinally ribbed.

Conservation status: Endangered.

Conservation Notes: This species can be distinguished from other Philippines Cycas in having prominent longitudinal ribs on the sclerotesta (i.e. the inner hard “shell” of the seed). C. wadei is the other species with longitudinal ribs but the rubs are less distinct and the species is confined to Culion Island.

The plant can be propagated vegetatively by separating the bulbils emerging from the trunk. The seeds are rather difficult to germinate and takes several months to produce leaves.

The natural populations of C. curranii in Palawan and Mindoro are threatened by overcollection for ornamental purposes and destruction of the forests According to reports large quantities of the seeds of this species had been gathered in earlier years and had been distributed in local and foreign gardens and nurseries.

All Cycas species are listed in Appendix II of CITES and collection and export of the species is regulated.

For further information contact: Domingo A. Madulid, Philippine National Museum, Botany Division, P. Burgos St., Manila. Tel 5271218. Email: [email protected]

Plant Shows at the start of the Year of the Ox

The Floricultural Industry started 2009 with a Bang. The Philippine delegations to the 3rd China (Sanya) International Orchid and Garden Show won first and third places. This was followed by one of the most memorable shows of the Philippine Horticultural Society and currently the grand show, Flora Filipina Expo 2009.

The Ox flower design was the central theme of the China (Sanya) International Orchid Show held January 5 to 11, 2009. Dendrobium Sonia was used in the design.

3rd China (Sanya) International Orchid and Garden Show was held January 5, 2009 to January 11, 2009 at the subtropical island of Hainan in China. The show is on its third run this year but is starting to gain the praises of international circle. Thirty three countries were represented and it is now considered the biggest orchid Show in China. The show site at Sanya Luhuitou Square boasts of 12,000 square meters of exhibition space. Philippines was represented by the Philippine Orchid Society and the Fern and Nature Society. POS through the delegates: Andres Golamco Jr. and Dennis Sy put up an Ifugao inspired setting and was awarded the prestigious Gold Prize while the Fern and Nature Society represented by Nonito Dolera and Dario Lagmao did an exhibit with plants and lanterns garnered the Bronze Prize for the 3x5 meter squared categories.

Horticulture 2009 is a yearly endeavor of the Philippine Horticulture Society. This year’s show was one of the best shows put up by PHS. The show was staged in the spacious Quezon Memorial Circle January 16 to 25, 2009 and was dubbed “Walk in the Park”.

The show brought out the best from the members of the organization. The Bayanihan Spirit was very high during the Show. 

Exhibitors included: Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines, Fern and Nature Society of the Philippines, Inc. Philippine Bonsai Society, Inc., Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Manila, Natural stone Society of the Philippines, King Louis Plants and Flowers, Noel Vincent Canicula, Lardy Abundo, Tess Baldonado, Lois Estrella, Norma Villanueva and Constancio Basis.

The show is one of the most commercially successful shows in the country. Plantsellers from Mindanao were the happiest bunch. Most sold out their wares in the first day of the show when big collectors show up and started buying and ordering plants from the participating plant growers.

Landscape design in the picture was rendered by Francis Gener of King Louis.