Scientific name: Boea philippensis C.B.Clarke
Family: Gesneriaceae
Description: Ground herb with short stem. Leaves crowded at the end of stem, without petiole, oblong, with blunt apex. Leaf surface with sunken veins, hairy. margins serrate. Flowers bluish, bell-shaped, borne on long, slender stalk. Fruit an elongate, slender capsule.
Distribution: Philippines: Luzon (Benguet, Batangas, Sorsogon), Mindoro, Mindanao (Bukidnon, Davao, Zamboanga). Also found in China, Vietnam, Laos, Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Is.
Habitat: On limestone and rock boulders and in damp forest floors in low and medium altitudes.
Economic uses: Of ornamental potential.
Conservation status: Not threatened. The populations of this species are widely distributed in the Philippines.
Propagation: Apparently the plant readily germinate by seeds. It has attractive green foliage and blue flowers but is not yet cultivated in gardens.
Conservation Notes: It is not listed in CITES nor in the IUCN Red List.
For further information write to: Domingo A. Madulid. Email: d.madulid@yahoo.com
Photo: DAMadulid