Gentianaceae

Canscora Lam.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 16 February 2026
  1. Canscora diffusa (Vahl) R.Br. ex Roem. & Schult., Syst. Veg., 15th Ed. 3 (1818) 301; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 367; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 318; Thiv, Blumea 48 (2003) 11; ≡ Gentiana diffusa Vahl, Symb. Bot. (Vahl) 3 (1794) 47. Distribution: Africa, Asia, Australia, Malesia. LUZON: Abra (photos), Apayao, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan (photos), Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: 0-2000m. Native.
  2. Canscora macrocalyx Miq., Fl. Ned. Ind. 2 (1857) 558; Thiv, Blumea 48 (2003) 15. Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Philippines. MINDANAO: Zamboanga del Norte, PANAY (photos). Notes: Moist open places in grasslands, fields; heavy soil. Fl. Jan-Aug. 0-600m. Native.

Cyrtophyllum Reinw.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 15 September 2024
  1. Cyrtophyllum fragrans (Roxb.) DC., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 9 (1845) 31; ≡ Fagraea fragrans Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Carey & Wallich) 2 (1824) 32; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 304; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 206. = ?Fagraea cochinchinensis (Lour.) A.Chev., Jard. Bot. Saigon (1919) 65; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314. Distribution: Andaman Isls, Borneo, India, Java Sea, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam. BALABAC, BUSUANGA, CULION, MINDORO, PALAWAN. Notes: Lowland forests, especially secondary and disturbed ones. 0-800m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Exacum L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 19 October 2025
  1. Exacum loheri (H.Hara) Klack., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 126 (2006) 478; Mansibang et al., PJS 154 (2025) 1227; ≡ Cotylanthera loheri Hara, J. Jap. Bot. 50 (1975) 327; Type: Loher 5189 (K, holo), Luzon: Rizal, Montalban, 26-Oct-1895. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Rizal. Notes: 550m (photos). Native.
  2. Exacum parviflorum Merr., PJS 7c (1912) 96; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 317; Type: Vanoverbergh 758. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Mountain Province. Notes: Open slopes. 1200m. Native.
  3. Exacum tenue (Blume) Klack., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 126 (2006) 478; ≡ Cotylanthera tenuis Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 707; Merrill, PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 223; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 317; Type: from Java. = Eophylon tenellum A.Gray, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 11 (1869) 23. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Philippines. CEBU (photos), LUZON: Bataan, Laguna, Mountain Province, Rizal, Sorsogon, MANGSEE, MINDANAO, MINDORO (photos), NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY. Notes: Low and medium elevation damp primary forests. (?-)1700m. Native.
  4. Exacum tetragonum Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Carey & Wallich) 1 (1820) 413. = Exacum chironioides Griseb., Gen. Sp. Gent. (1839) 109; Fern.-Vill., Novis. App. (1880) 136; Merr., Sp. Blancoanae (1918) 307; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 317. Distribution: Malesia. CULION, LUZON: Abra (photos), Albay, Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Rizal, Zambales, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Davao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte (photos), MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: Low and medium elevation wet grasslands, swamps, etc. 335-800m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Fagraea Thunb.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 19 July 2026
  1. Fagraea auriculata Jack, Malayan Misc. 2 (1822) 82; Elmer, LPB 2 (1909) 509; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 326; Coritico et al., J. Trop. Biol. & Cons. 19 (2022) 149. = Fagraea epiphytica Elmer, LPB 8 (1915) 2743. Distribution: CEBU (photos), LEYTE, LUZON: Apayao (photos), Isabela (photos), Laguna, Quezon, MINDANAO: Agusan, Agusan del Norte, Davao de Oro (photos), Davao del Sur, Surigao del Sur (photos), MINDORO, NEGROS (photos), PALAWAN, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: 0-1500(-1900)m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • ssp. auriculata. Distribution: Borneo, Indochina, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Sumatra, Thailand. LEYTE, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, PANAY, SAMAR. Native.
    • ssp. parviflora Leenh., Fl. Males., 1st Ser. 6 (1962) 328. = Fagraea curranii Merr., PJS 13c (1918) 50; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314. Distribution: Moluccas, Philippines. LUZON: Laguna, Quezon, MINDORO. Native.
  2. Fagraea blumei G.Don, Gen. Hist. 4 (1837) 69, as 'blumii'; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 320; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 202. = Fagraea cuernosensis Elmer, LPB 2 (1909) 600; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314. = Fagraea negrosensis Elmer, LPB 2 (1909) 599; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315. ≠ Fagraea obovata auct. non Wall.; Miq., Fl. Ind. Bat. 2 (1857) 369; Merr., EPFP 3 (1923) 315, pro parte. Distribution: CAMIGUIN, CATANDUANES, LEYTE, LUZON: Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao Oriental (photos), Davao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental (photos), Surigao del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: (500-)1200-2000(-2200)m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • ssp. blumei. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Sumatra. NEGROS. Notes: (500-)1200-1800(-2200)m. Native.
    • ssp. plumeriiflora (DC.) Leenh., Fl. Males., 1st Ser. 6 (1962) 323; ≡ Fagraea plumeriiflora DC., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 9 (1845) 29; Elmer, LPB 2 (1909) 598; LPB 3 (1910) 857; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315, excl. specimens from Sulawesi. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CATANDUANES, LEYTE, LUZON, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Surigao del Sur, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: Intermediate forms between ssp. plumeriiflora and ssp. blumei occur in Borneo, Negros and Mindanao. 500-2000m. Native.
  3. Fagraea borneensis Scheff., Flora 32 (1869) 309; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 202; ≡ Fagraea auriculata ssp. borneensis (Scheff.) Leenh., Fl. Males., 1st Ser. 6 (1962) 328; Type: from Sarawak. = Fagraea nonok Elmer, LPB 3 (1910) 858; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315. = Fagraea jackii Elmer, LPB 8 (1915) 2744. Distribution: Borneo, Lesser Sunda Isls, Philippines. MINDORO, PALAWAN, SIBUYAN. Notes: Lowland and montane forests. 0-750m. Native.
  4. Fagraea ceilanica Thunb., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 3 (1782) 132; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 315. = Fagraea obovata Wall., Fl. Ind. (Carey & Wallich) 2 (1824) 33; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315, pro parte. = Fagraea loheri Merr., PJS 27 (1925) 49; Merrill, EPFP 4 (1926) 254; Type: Loher. Distribution: China, Hong Kong, India, Indochina, Myanmar, Solomon Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand. BATAN, BILIRAN, CAMIGUIN, CATANDUANES, LAGEN, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Apayao (photos), Aurora (photos), Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan (photos), Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Isabela, Laguna, Mountain Province, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao, Misamis Oriental (photos), Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, ROMBLON, SAMAR, SIBUYAN, SULU ARCHIPELAGO, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Throughout Malesia, throughout the Philippines; high-climbing woody hemi-epiphyte in forests. 0-2500m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  5. Fagraea gitingensis Elmer, LPB 3 (1910) 859; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 334; Fernando et al., Forest Flora of Dinagat (2017) 40. Distribution: Moluccas, Philippines. DINAGAT, SIBUYAN. Notes: 300-850m. Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  6. Fagraea longiflora Merr., PJS 3c (1908) 260; Elmer, LPB 2 (1909) 597; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 315. = Fagraea macgregorii Merr., PJS 13c (1918) 51. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CATANDUANES, LUZON: Apayao, Aurora, Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya (photos), Quezon, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Surigao del Sur (photos). Notes: 50m (photos) to 100-1400m. Native.

Gentiana L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 19 April 2026
  1. Gentiana borneensis Hook.f., Hooker's Icon. Pl. 15 (1883) t. 1440 B. Distribution: Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur. Notes: 2865-3000m. Native.
    • ssp. apoensis (Merr.) Halda, Acta Mus. Richnov., Sect. Nat. 3 (1995) 45. = Gentiana apoensis Merr., PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 223; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 318; Type: Copeland 1161 & 1432 (PNH, ?lost, syn), Mindanao: Davao, Mt Apo, summit area, c. 3000m, occasional in turf, but inconspicuous, not common, Apr/Oct-1904; de Vore & Hoover 371 (PNH, ?lost, syn), Mindanao: Davao, Mt Apo, May-1903. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur. Notes: 2865-3000m. Native.
  2. Gentiana diversifolia Merr., PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 224; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 319; Type: Merrill 4443 (PNH, holo, ?lost), Luzon: Benguet, Kabayan. On damp, rocky banks, in open lands, rare, c. 1300m, 27-Oct-1905. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Damp rocky banks among grasses. 1200-1900m. Native.
  3. Gentiana elmeriana Halda, Acta Mus. Richnov., Sect. Nat. 3 (1995) 46; ≡ Gentiana copelandii Elmer, LPB 7 (1915) 2671, nom. illeg., non Greene; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 319; Type: Elmer 11692. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Davao, Davao del Sur. Notes: In mosses at the summit. 2500m. Native.
  4. Gentiana scabrida Hayata, J. Coll. Sci. Imp. Univ. Tokyo 25 (1908) 168. Distribution: Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province, NEGROS. Notes: 2000-3000m. Native.
    • ssp. luzoniensis (Merr.) Halda, Acta Mus. Richnov., Sect. Nat. 3 (1995) 39. = Gentiana luzoniensis Merr., PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 224; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 319; Type: Merrill 4558 (NY, US, iso), Luzon: Mountain Province, Mt Data, on dry, open grassy slopes in thin pine forests at c. 2100m, 4-Nov-1905. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province, NEGROS. Notes: 2000-3000m. Native.

Hoppea Willd. (Not native)

  1. Hoppea dichotoma Willd., Neue Schriften Ges. Naturf. Freunde Berlin 3 (1801) 434; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 318; Thiv, Blumea 48 (2003) 28. Distribution: India. LUZON: Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan. Notes: Thiv argues that outside of India, this plant is non indigenous in occurrence. In the Philippines reported from open places. Rare or local. 300-1800m. Naturalized.

Microrphium C.B.Clarke

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 24 May 2018
  1. Microrphium pubescens C.B.Clarke, J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal, Pt. 2, Nat. Hist. 74 (1906) 88; Thiv, Blumea 48 (2003) 31. Distribution: Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Thailand. MINDORO, PALAWAN. Notes: 0-260m. Native.
    • ssp. elmerianum (Regalado & Soejarto) Thiv, Blumea 48 (2003) 33; ≡ Microrphium elmerianum Regalado & Soejarto, Novon 7 (1997) 77; Type: Soejarto et al. 6499 (F, holo; A, PNH, iso), Palawan: Puerto Princesa, Bacungan Hills, slopes above Nagtabon beach, 9°51’N, 118°37’E. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. PALAWAN. Notes: Fl. Feb-Aug. 50-100m. Native.

Schenkia Griseb. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 30 October 2019
  1. Schenkia spicata (L.) G.Mans., Taxon 53 (2004) 726; ≡ Centaurium spicatum (L.) Fritsch, Mitt. Naturwiss. Vereins Univ. Wien 5 (1907) 97; ≡ Erythraea spicata (L.) Pers., Syn. Pl. (Pers.) 1 (1905) 283; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 317; ≡ Gentiana spicata L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 230. Distribution: Europe. BATAN. Notes: Introduced into Taiwan by early Portuguese colonists, extending thereafter southward to the Batanes Isls Group. Open places at low elevation. Naturalized.

Swertia L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 28 October 2025
  1. Swertia decurrens C.B.Rob., PJS 3c (1909) 214; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 319; Antipuesto et al., J. Wildlife Biodiv. 9 (2025) 508; Type: R.S. Williams 1529. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Mountain Province. Notes: Open slopes, extending into the mossy forest. 1200-3000m. Native.

Tripterospermum Blume

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 1 August 2017
  1. Tripterospermum luzoniense (S.Vidal) J.Murata, J. Fac. Sci. Univ. Tokyo, Sect. 3, Bot. 14 (1989) 305; Wang & Chen in Huang, Fl. Taiwan, ed. 2, 4 (1998) 186; ≡ Crawfurdia luzoniensis S.Vidal, Revis. Pl. Vasc. Filip. (1886) 191; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 318; Type: Vidal 1228 (MA), Luzon: Lepanto. Distribution: Java, Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet, Laguna, Mountain Province, Quezon, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, Cotabato (photos). Notes: Mossy forests in very damp shaded ravines. 1100-2400m. Native.

Utania G.Don

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 7 July 2026
  1. Utania cuspidata (Blume) K.M.Wong, Sugumaran & Sugau, Gard. Bull. Singapore 65 (2013) 237; ≡ Fagraea cuspidata Blume, Mus. Bot. 1 (1850) 170; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 314; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 204. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. BALABAC. Notes: Mixed dipterocarp forests, in gaps and clearings, also secondary forests and forest edges. (?-)1500m. Native.
  2. Utania philippinensis (K.M.Wong & Sugau) K.M.Wong, Sugumaran & Sugau, Gard. Bull. Singapore 65 (2013) 237; Fernando et al., Forest Flora of Dinagat (2017) 104; ≡ Fagraea philippinensis K.M.Wong & Sugau, Sandakania 8 (1996) 35; Type: FB 3270 Ahern’s Collector (K, holo). ≠ Fagraea racemosa auct. non Jack ex Wall.; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 311, pro parte. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. BALABAC, BASILAN, BILIRAN, BOHOL, CEBU, DINAGAT, LEYTE, LUZON: Quezon, Rizal, MANICANI, MINDANAO: Agusan del Sur, Misamis Occidental, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, POLILLO, SAMAR, SIBUYAN. Notes: 0-600m. Native.
  3. Utania spicata (Baker) K.M.Wong, Sugumaran & Sugau, Gard. Bull. Singapore 65 (2013) 238; Malabrigo et al., Flora of Mt Mantalingahan Protected Landscape (2023) 120; ≡ Fagraea spicata Baker, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1896 (1896) 25; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 214. = Fagraea congestiflora Elmer, LPB 8 (1915) 2741; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 316. ≠ Fagraea racemosa auct. non Jack ex Wall.; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 311. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. PALAWAN. Notes: Lowland to montane forests, frequently in gaps and also secondary forests. (?-)60m (photos) to 3200m. Native.
  4. Utania volubilis (Wall.) Sugumaran, Gard. Bull. Singapore 64 (2012) 493; Cortez et al., Check List 19 (2023) 988; Romeroso et al., J. Asia-Pacific biodiv. 17 (2024) 11; Odulio et al., Biodivers. Data J. 14 (2026) 19; ≡ Fagraea volubilis Wall., Fl. Ind. (Carey & Wallich) 2 (1824) 36; Wong & Sugau, Tree Fl. Sabah & Sarawak 2 (1996) 215. = Fagraea scholaris Blanco, Fl. Filip., 2nd Ed. (1845) 93; Fl. Filip. ed. 3, 1 (1877) 171. ≠ Fagraea racemosa auct. non Jack ex Wall.; Merr., EPFP 3 (1923) 315; Leenh., Fl. Males. ser. 1, 6 (1962) 311. Distribution: Andaman Isls, Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, New Guinea, Nicobar Isls, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra. BALABAC, CATANDUANES (photos), CEBU (photos), DINAGAT (photos), HOMONHON, LUZON: Aurora (photos), Rizal, Sorsogon (photos), MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao Oriental (photos), Misamis Oriental (photos), Surigao del Norte (photos), Surigao del Sur (photos), Zamboanga del Norte (photos), MINDORO, NEGROS (photos), PALAWAN, PANAY, SAMAR, SIARGAO, SIBUYAN, TABLAS. Notes: Lowland forests, including secondary forests and forest edges. 0-1100m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

References