Malvaceae

Abelmoschus Medik.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 9 November 2025
  1. Abelmoschus crinitus Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1 (1830) 39; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 103; Ya et al., Fl. China 12 (2007) 284. Distribution: China, India, Indochina, Java, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. MINDORO. Notes: 300-1300m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  2. Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik., Malvenfam. (1787) 46; ≡ Hibiscus manihot L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 696. Distribution: SE Asia. LUZON: Albay, Benguet, Mountain Province, Rizal, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur, South Cotabato (photos), Zamboanga del Norte, MINDORO. Notes: 0-1600m. Conservation status: Data Deficient (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • var. pungens (Roxb.) Hochr., Candollea 2 (1924) 87; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 99; ≡ Hibiscus pungens Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 3 (1832) 213; ≡ Abelmoschus pungens Wall., Numer. List (1829) n.1924, nom. inval., nom. nud.; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 41. = Abelmoschus multilobatus Merr., PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 208; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 41. Native.
    • var. tetraphyllus (Roxb. ex Hornem.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 97; ≡ Hibiscus tetraphyllus Roxb. ex Hornem., Hort. Bot. Hafn. (1815) 661. = Abelmoschus mindanaensis Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 111; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 40. = Abelmoschus luzoniensis Merr., PJS 1(Suppl.) (1906) 207; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 40. Distribution: LUZON: Abra (photos), Albay, Benguet, Mountain Province, Rizal, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur. Notes: 0-1600m. Native.
  3. Abelmoschus moschatus Medik., Malvenfam. (1787) 46; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 321; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 40; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 91. = Abelmoschus moschatus var. haenkeanus (C.Presl) Merr., EPFP 3 (1923) 40; ≡ Abelmoschus haenkeanus C.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 2 (1835) 134. Distribution: SE Asia. BALABAC, BANTAYAN, BOHOL, LUZON: Abra (photos), Albay, Bataan, Mountain Province, NCR, Pangasinan, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur (photos), Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Misamis Oriental (photos), Surigao, Zamboanga del Norte, PALAWAN, SAMAR. Notes: 0-1000m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • ssp. moschatus. = Abelmoschus moschatus var. betulifolius (Mast.) Hochr., Candollea 2 (1924) 86; ≡ Hibiscus abelmoschus var. betulifolius Mast., Fl. Brit. India 1 (1874) 342. Distribution: BALABAC, BOHOL, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur, PALAWAN, SAMAR. Notes: 0-1000m. Native.
    • ssp. tuberosus (Span.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 93; ≡ Hibiscus longifolius var. tuberosus Span., Linnaea 15 (1841) 170. = Abelmoschus sharpei Copel. ex Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 17 (1904) 29; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 41. Distribution: BANTAYAN, LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Mountain Province, Pangasinan, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Cotabato, Davao, Davao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte. Notes: 0-400m. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, Methodus (Moench) (1794) 617; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 321; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 40; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 100; ≡ Hibiscus esculentus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 696. Distribution: Palaeotropics. Notes: Okra. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Abutilon Mill.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 11 March 2025
  1. Abutilon auritum (Wall. ex Link) Sweet, Hort. Brit. (Sweet), 1st Ed. (1826) 53; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 32; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 164; ≡ Sida aurita Wall. ex Link, Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 2 (1822) 206; Type: from Java. = Abutilon stipulare C.Presl, Reliq. Haenk. 2 (1835) 114; Type: Haenke s.n. (PR, holo), Luzon. Distribution: Australia, Indian Ocean, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON: Ilocos Norte, Quezon (photos). Notes: 0-900m. Native.
  2. Abutilon hirtum (Lam.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. (Sweet), 1st Ed. (1826) 53; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 32; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 168; ≡ Sida hirta Lam., Encycl. (Lamarck) 1 (1783) 7; Type: from India. Distribution: Africa, China, India, Middle East, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. Notes: Presumably introduced and naturalized. In thickets and waste places (Merrill 1923). 0-110m. Naturalized.
  3. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, Hort. Brit. (Sweet), 1st Ed. (1826) 54; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 318; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 32; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 170; ≡ Sida indica L., Cent. Pl. II (1756) 26. Distribution: APULIT, BABUYAN ISLS, LUZON: Cagayan (photos), MINDANAO, MINDORO, PABELLON ISLS, PALAWAN, PANAY (photos). Notes: Naturalized in thickets and waste places in and around towns (Merrill 1923). Low elevation, usually near the sea. 0m. Naturalized.
    • ssp. indicum. = Sida philippinensis Gand., Bull. Soc. Bot. France 71 (1924) 631; Type: Cuming 748 (A, BM, Fl, G, K, L, MEL, P, iso). Distribution: Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, New Guinea, Riau Arch, Sulawesi, Sumatra. PALAWAN. Naturalized.
    • ssp. albescens (Miq.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 173; ≡ Abutilon albescens Miq., Pl. Jungh. (1854) 285; Type: from Java. Distribution: Java. PABELLON ISLS. Naturalized.
      • var. albescens. Distribution: Indian Ocean, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Moluccas, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Pacific Ocean, Sulawesi, Sumatra. LUZON, MINDANAO. Naturalized.
      • var. australiense Hochr. ex Britten, Ill. Austral. Pl. Cook's Voy. 1 (1900) 10; Hochr., Ann. Cons. Jard. Bot. Genève 6 (1902) 20; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 175; Type: from Timor. Distribution: Australia, Lesser Sunda Isls, Moluccas, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Sulawesi. BABUYAN ISLS, LUZON, MINDANAO, PALAWAN. Naturalized.

Alcea L. (Not native)

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Alcea rosea L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 687; ≡ Althaea rosea (L.) Cav., Diss. 2, Secunda Diss. Bot. (1785) 91; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 151. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Azanza Alef.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 25 October 2025
  1. Azanza lampas (Cav.) Alef., Bot. Zeitung (Berlin) 19 (1861) 298; Areces-Berazain & Ackerman, Bot. J. Lin. Soc. 181 (2016) 187; ≡ Thespesia lampas (Cav.) Dalzell & Gibson, Bombay Fl. (Dalzell & Gibson) (1861) 19; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 324; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 41; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 116; ≡ Hibiscus lampas Cav., Diss. 3, Tertia Diss. Bot. (1787) 154; Type: Sonnerat s.n. (P-JU, holo; NY, holo fragment), Philippines: 7-Mar-1786. = Thespesia sublobata Blanco, Fl. Filip., 2nd Ed. (1845) 382; Type: Merrill Spec. Blanc. 561 (GH, neo; BO, K, L, MO, NY, P, US, isoneo), Luzon: Rizal, Antipolo, 13-Oct-1913. Distribution: India to China and Indochina, Java, Philippines. CULION, HUNDRED ISLS (photos), LUZON: Abra (photos), Pangasinan (photos), Rizal, MINDORO (photos). Notes: <0-900m>. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Cravenia McLay & R.L.Barrett

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 16 May 2024

Possibly present

  1. Cravenia panduriformis (Burm.f.) McLay & R.L.Barrett, Syst. Bot. 49 (2024) 100; ≡ Hibiscus panduriformis Burm.f., Fl. Ind. (N. L. Burman) (1768) 151; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 82. Distribution: Africa, Australia, India, Java, Madagascar, Middle East, Myanmar, Pakistan, ?Philippines, Sri Lanka. Notes: Note by L.L.Co: Sole Philippine record is a Perrottet collection from ‘Manila’ (L). Borssum doubts if this is correctly localized. 0-300m.

Gossypium L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 12 November 2023
  1. Gossypium arboreum L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 693; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 43; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 121. Distribution: India, Philippines, Sri Lanka. CULION. Notes: Wild and cultivated forms in the tropical and subtropical parts of Asia. Native.
    • var. arboreum. Native.
    • var. obtusifolium (Roxb.) Roberty, Candollea 13 (1950) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 122; ≡ Gossypium obtusifolium Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 3 (1832) 183; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44. = Gossypium nangking Meyen, Reise Erde 2 (1834) 323; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44. Distribution: CULION. Native.
  2. Gossypium barbadense L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 693; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 128. = Gossypium microcarpum Tod., Hort. Bot. Panorm. 1 (1876) 63; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44, as ‘macrocarpum’. Distribution: S America. PALAWAN. Notes: Naturalized in secondary forest. Naturalized.
    • var. barbadense. Naturalized.
    • var. acuminatum (Roxb. ex G.Don) Triana & Planch., Ann. Sci. Nat. (Paris), 4th Sér. 17 (1862) 171; Mast., Fl. Brit. Ind. 1 (1874) 347; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 129; ≡ Gossypium acuminatum Roxb. ex G.Don, Gen. Hist. 1 (1831) 487. = Gossypium brasiliense Macfad., Fl. Jamaica (Macfadyen) 1 (1837) 72; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 325; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 43. Distribution: S America. PALAWAN. Naturalized.

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Gossypium hirsutum L., Sp. Pl., 2nd Ed. (1763) 975; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 324; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 43; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 124. = Gossypium punctatum Schumach. & Thonn., Beskr. Guin. Pl. (1827) 309; Schumach., Kongl. Danske Vidensk. Selsk. Skr. 4 (1829) 83; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44. = Gossypium paniculatum Blanco, Fl. Filip., 1st Ed. (1837) 539; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 44. ≠ Gossypium taitense auct. non Parl.; Merr., EPFP 3 (1923) 44. Notes: Native of Central America and S North America, W Indies. Cultivated in Philippines. Cultivated, not naturalized.
    • var. hirsutum. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Hibiscus L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 15 February 2026
  1. Hibiscus bicalyculatus Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 35 (1906) 39; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 37; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 69; Type: FB 2450 Ahern’s collector (BO, K, NY, P, SING, US, iso), Luzon: Rizal, Montalban. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Abra (photos), Benguet, Ilocos Sur, NCR, Rizal. Notes: Liana. Low and medium elevation, in forested ravines along streams. 850-880m (photos). Native.
  2. Hibiscus campylosiphon Turcz., Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31 (1858) 193; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 55; ≡ Bombycidendron campylosiphon (Turcz.) Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 110; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 42. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CEBU (photos), CORON, LUZON: Abra (photos), Albay, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Mountain Province, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Bukidnon (photos), MINDORO, PALAWAN. Notes: 0-1500m. DAO category: Other Threatened Species. Native.
    • var. campylosiphon. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Cagayan, Rizal. Notes: Note by L.L.Co: Known only from two collections. Forests at low elevation. Native.
    • var. glabrescens (Warb. ex Perkins) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 56; ≡ Hibiscus glabrescens (Warb. ex Perkins) Gruezo, Vasc. Fl. Mt Makiling & Vicinity 2 (2006) 389; ≡ Bombycidendron glabrescens Warb. ex Perkins, Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 110; Type: Warburg 2045 (B, holo, lost), Luzon: Cagayan, Alcala; Botanic Gardens, Bogor, no. IX.B. 14 (BO, neo), Note by L.L.Co: This material was from a living tree in Bogor Botanic Garden, grown from seeds collected by Warburg (sub no. 2045). = Bombycidendron vidalianum (Náves) Merr. & Rolfe, PJS 3c (1908) 112; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 43; ≡ Hibiscus vidalianus Náves, Fl. Filip., 3rd Ed. 1 (1877) 333; Type: Plate in S.Vidal, Sinopsis Atlas, t. 16. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. CORON, LUZON: Ilocos Sur, MINDANAO: Bukidnon (photos), MINDORO, PALAWAN. Notes: Throughout Luzon. Common in forested ravines and secondary forests. 0-1200m. Native.
  3. Hibiscus decaspermus Koord. & Valeton, Bijdr. Boomsoort. Java 2 (1895) 115; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 51. Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Myanmar, Philippines, Sulawesi, Thailand. BABUYAN ISLS, DALUPIRI, MINDORO. Notes: Lowland secondary vegetation, along or near the coast. 0m. Native.
  4. Hibiscus mutabilis L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 694; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 322; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 66. Distribution: China, Taiwan. MINDORO. Notes: Widely cultivated and naturalized in ruderal areas. Naturalized.
  5. Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 694; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 323; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 72. Distribution: PALAWAN. Naturalized.
    • var. rosa-sinensis. Notes: Origin uncertain, but believed to be E Africa where a related species, Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook.f. was first collected as a wild plant. Cultivated worldwide, particularly in the tropics and subtropics, as an ornamental plant or living fence. Naturalized in thickets and secondary forests. Naturalized.
  6. Hibiscus surattensis L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 696; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 57; Type: from India. Distribution: Africa, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Bulacan, La Union, Laguna, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY. Notes: Early secondary growths and waste places near human settlements in the lowlands. (?-)1200m. Native.
  7. Hibiscus syriacus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 695; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 39; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 75. Distribution: China, Taiwan. PALAWAN. Notes: Cultivated; wasteland near agricultural land. Naturalized.
  8. Hibiscus tiliaceus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 694; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 323; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 39; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 29; Romeroso et al., Asian J. Biol. Life Sc. 10 (2021) 438; Raganas et al., Biodiversitas 26 (2025) 1193; ≡ Talipariti tiliaceum (L.) Fryxell, Contr. Univ. Michigan Herb. 23 (2001) 258; Cañeda et al., Davao Research J. 16 (2025) 91. Distribution: BALABAC, BASILAN, BATAN, BORACAY (photos), CAMIGUIN, CATANDUANES, HOMONHON, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Batangas, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, Zambales, MASBATE, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental (photos), Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Sur, South Cotabato, Surigao, Zamboanga del Norte (photos), MINDORO, PALAUI, PALAWAN, PANAY (photos), POLILLO, SAMAR, SIBUYAN, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: 0-200m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • ssp. tiliaceus. Distribution: PALAWAN. Notes: World tropics and subtropics. Throughout the Philippines, particularly along seashores and tidal streams. Sometimes further inland following riverbanks, or intentionally planted as hedge or ornamental. Seeds capable of long-distance dispersal by oceanic currents. 0m. Native.
    • ssp. crestaensis Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 36; ≡ Talipariti crestaense (Borss.Waalk.) Fryxell, Contr. Univ. Michigan Herb. 23 (2001) 239; Type: BS 76992 Ramos (K, holo; NY, SING, iso), Luzon: Isabela, Mt Cresta, forest, low elevation, 3-Apr-1929. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Isabela. Notes: Lowland forest. Note by L.L.Co: Known only from the type collection. Native.
  9. Hibiscus vitifolius L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 696; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 39; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 79. Distribution: Africa, Australia, India, Java, Madagascar, Malay Peninsula, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam. LUZON: NCR, MINDANAO. Notes: 0-150m. Native.

Cultivated, not naturalized

  1. Hibiscus macrophyllus Roxb. ex Hornem., Hort. Bot. Hafn. Suppl. (1819) 149; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 47. Distribution: Bangladesh, Borneo, India, Indochina, Java, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Thailand. PALAWAN. Notes: Cultivated as an ornamental. Not naturalized. Cultivated, not naturalized.
  2. Hibiscus schizopetalus (Mast.) Hook.f., Bot. Mag. 106 (1880) t.6524; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 323; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 73; ≡ Hibiscus × rosa-sinensis f. schizopetalus Mast., Gard. Chron., n.s. 11 (1879) 568. Distribution: Africa. Notes: Elsewhere cultivated as an ornamental or used for living fences. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Kosteletzkya C.Presl

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 27 May 2018
  1. Kosteletzkya batacensis (Blanco) Fern.-Vill., Fl. Filip., 3rd Ed. 4(Nov. App.) (1880) 24; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 320; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 41; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 87; ≡ Hibiscus batacensis Blanco, Fl. Filip., 1st Ed. (1837) 544; Fl. Filip. ed. 2 (1845) 380; Fl. Filip. ed. 3, 2 (1879) 334; Type: Not extant; BS 41647 Ramos (US, neo; L, WU, isoneo), Luzon: Pampanga, Apalit, Jan-1923. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, NCR, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal. Notes: Waste places in the lowland, under seasonal climatic conditions, apparently of local occurrence. Note by L.L.Co: Unfortunately, the neotype designated by Borssum (Merrill Sp. Blancoanae 877, US) for Blanco’s basionym does not represent this taxon. It is Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don. Native.

Malachra L. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 27 March 2025
  1. Malachra capitata (L.) L., Syst. Nat., 12th Ed. (1767) 458; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 319; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 36; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 146; ≡ Sida capitata L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 685. = Napaea latifolia Blanco, Fl. Filip., 2nd Ed. (1845) 387; Type: Merrill, Sp. Blancoana 351 (A, BM, K, L, P, US, neoiso), Luzon: Manila. Distribution: Neotropics. LUZON: La Union (photos), Rizal (photos), PANAY. Notes: Common weed in open waste places (Merrill 1923). Naturalized.
  2. Malachra fasciata Jacq., Collectanea (Jacquin) 2 (1789) 552; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 319; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 36; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 147. = Malachra fasciata var. lineariloba (Turcz.) Gürke, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16 (1892) 355; ≡ Malachra lineariloba Turcz., Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31 (1858) 206. Distribution: Neotropics. BALABAC, LUZON: Batangas (photos), Rizal (photos), PALAWAN. Naturalized.
    • var. fasciata. Distribution: Neotropics. BALABAC. Notes: Common weed in open waste places (Merrill 1923). Naturalized.

Malvastrum A.Gray (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 22 November 2020
  1. Malvastrum americanum (L.) Torr., Rep. U.S. Mex. Bound., Bot. (Emory) 2 (1859) 38; ≡ Malva americana L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 687. = Malvastrum spicatum (L.) A.Gray, Mem. Amer. Acad. Arts, N.S. 2 (1849) 22; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 33. Distribution: America. Naturalized.
  2. Malvastrum coromandelianum (L.) Garcke, Bonplandia 5 (1857) 297; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 316; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 33; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 152; ≡ Malva coromandeliana L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 687. Distribution: ?America. CEBU (photos), LUZON: Batangas (photos). Notes: A common weed around towns throughout the Philippines. Naturalized.

Malvaviscus Fabr. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser & John Edward Matulina Villasis, 31 August 2024
  1. Malvaviscus arboreus Dill. ex Cav., Diss. 3, Tertia Diss. Bot. (1787) 131; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 132; Turner & Mendenhall, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 80 (1993) 442. = Malvaviscus pilosus (Sw.) DC., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 1 (1824) 445; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 320; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 37; ≡ Achania pilosa Sw., Prodr. (Swartz) (1788) 102. Distribution: America. LUZON: Benguet, MINDANAO: Davao del Norte. Notes: Naturalized along forest margins, moist and wet thickets, roadsides, disturbed sites and waste areas. Naturalized.
  2. Malvaviscus penduliflorus Moc. & Sessé ex DC., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 1 (1824) 445; Turner & Mendenhall, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 80 (1993) 449; ≡ Malvaviscus arboreus var. penduliflorus (Moc. & Sessé ex DC.) Schery, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 29 (1942) 223; Steiner, Philip. Orn. Pl. (1960) 80; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 133. Distribution: C America. BOHOL, LEYTE, LUZON: Cavite, Laguna, Mountain Province, NCR, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur, NEGROS, PANAY. Notes: Naturalized along waterways and in riparian vegetation, wastelands, open grasslands, forest margins, and moist and wet thickets. Naturalized.

Modiola Moench (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 31 May 2021
  1. Modiola caroliniana (L.) G.Don, Gen. Hist. 1 (1831) 465; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 148; ≡ Malva caroliniana L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 688. Distribution: S America. LUZON: NCR. Notes: Cultivated and occasionally running wild (Merrill Sp. Blancoanae 877, US). Note by L.L.Co: According to Blouchard (in annot.) the US specimen was previously misidentified and unfortunately designated neotype of Hibiscus batacensis Blanco (= Kosteletzkya batacensis). Naturalized.

Sabdariffa (DC.) Kostel.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 23 May 2025
  1. Sabdariffa diversifolia (Jacq.) McLay & R.L.Barrett, Austral. Syst. Bot. 38 (2025) SB24013: 42; ≡ Hibiscus diversifolius Jacq., Collectanea (Jacquin) 2 (1789) 307; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 65. = Hibiscus paludosus Merr., PJS 3c (1908) 151; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Type: M.S. Clemens s.n. (BO, G, L, iso), Mindanao: Lanao del Sur, Lake Lanao. Distribution: Africa, Australia, Madagascar, Pacific Ocean, Philippines. MINDANAO: Lanao del Sur. Native.
    • ssp. diversifolia. Native.
  2. Sabdariffa gossypiifolia (Mill.) M.M.Hanes & R.L.Barrett, Austral. Syst. Bot. 38 (2025) SB24013: 50; ≡ Hibiscus gossypiifolius Mill., Gard. Dict., 8th Ed. (1768) n. 10. = Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 695; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 322; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 64. Notes: Origin not known. Cultivated in all tropical regions, mostly as vegetable and for fiber. Naturalized.
  3. Sabdariffa radiata (Cav.) R.L.Barrett & M.M.Hanes, Austral. Syst. Bot. 38 (2025) SB24013: 70; ≡ Hibiscus radiatus Cav., Diss. 3, Tertia Diss. Bot. (1787) 150; Fern.-Vill., Novis. App. (1880) 24; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 60. ≠ Hibiscus cannabinus auct. non L.; Merr., PJS 3 c (1908) Bot. 244; EPFP 3 (1923) 37. Distribution: India, Myanmar. LUZON: Mountain Province, NCR, Pangasinan. Notes: Widely grown as a vegetable or medicinal in Malesia and escaping cultivation. Naturalized.
  4. Sabdariffa surattensis (L.) M.M.Hanes & R.L.Barrett, Austral. Syst. Bot. 38 (2025) SB24013: 79; ≡ Hibiscus surattensis L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 696; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 38; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 57; Type: from India. Distribution: Africa, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Bulacan, La Union, Laguna, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY. Notes: Early secondary growths and waste places near human settlements in the lowlands. (?-)1200m. Native.

Sida L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 15 February 2025
  1. Sida acuta Burm.f., Fl. Ind. (N. L. Burman) (1768) 147; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 318; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 33; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 186; Odulio et al., Biodivers. Data J. 14 (2026) 23; Type: from Java. Distribution: Africa, America, Andaman Isls, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Caribbean, China, India, Indian Ocean, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Isls, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Mountain Province, MINDORO, PALAWAN, SAMAR. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. Likely not native to the Philippines (Merrill 1912, Van Borssum Waalkes 1966). Road sides, waste places. Naturalized.
    • ssp. acuta. Distribution: Africa, America, Andaman Isls, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Caribbean, China, India, Indian Ocean, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicobar Isls, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. Naturalized.
    • ssp. carpinifolia (Medik.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 188; ≡ Malvinda carpinifolia Medik., Malvenfam. (1787) 24; ≡ Sida carpinifolia L.f., Suppl. Pl. (1782) 307, nom. illeg., non Mill. Distribution: Africa, America, Pacific Ocean. LUZON: Mountain Province. Notes: Naturalized in Sumatra and Philippines. Naturalized.
  2. Sida ciliaris L., Syst. Nat., 10th Ed. 2 (1759) 1145; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 179. = Sida longistipula Merr., PJS 13c (1918) 30; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 34. Distribution: America. LUZON: Ilocos Norte. Notes: Introduced in Philippines. Open places. Naturalized.
  3. Sida cordata (Burm.f.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 182; ≡ Melochia cordata Burm.f., Fl. Ind. (N. L. Burman) (1768) 143. = Sida veronicifolia Lam., Encycl. (Lamarck) 1 (1783) 5; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 36, as ‘veronicaefolia’, excl. syn. Sida supina L’Herit. = Sida humulis Cav., Diss. 5, Quinta Diss. Bot. (1788) 277; Type: Nee s.n. (MA, neo), Luzon: Port Cavite. Distribution: Pantropic. LUZON. Notes: Pantropical species of unknown origin. Not native in Malesia. Open grasslands at sea level (Merrill 1923). Naturalized.
  4. Sida cordifolia L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 684; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 317; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 33; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 199. Distribution: Pantropic. LUZON: Cagayan (photos), MINDANAO. Notes: Throughout the Philippines; likely not native (Merrill 1912). Open waste places. Naturalized.
  5. Sida javensis Cav., Diss. 5, Quinta Diss. Bot. (1788) 10; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 317; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 34, as ‘javanensis’, excl. syn. Sida humilis Cav; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 184; Type: from Java. Distribution: Africa, Java, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Vietnam. LUZON: Bataan, Laguna, NCR, Pangasinan, Rizal, MINDANAO, MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: 0-1500m. Native.
    • ssp. javensis. Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON: Laguna, MINDANAO, MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: 0-1500m. Native.
    • ssp. expilosa Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 185. Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON. Notes: Only once reported from Philippines (Borssum 1966). 0-400m. Native.
  6. Sida mysorensis Wight & Arn., Prodr. Fl. Ind. Orient. (1834) 59; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 317; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 35; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 180. Distribution: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Bataan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Mountain Province, NCR, Pangasinan, Rizal, MINDORO. Notes: 0-700m. Native.
  7. Sida rhombifolia L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 684; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 318; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 35; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 195. Distribution: Africa, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Java, Laos, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Pacific Ocean, Pakistan, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. APULIT, BASILAN, BATAN, BOHOL, CATANDUANES, DUMARAN, JOLO, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan (photos), Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur (photos), Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Misamis Oriental (photos), South Cotabato, Zamboanga del Norte, MINDORO, PALAUI, PALAWAN, SIARGAO, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: 0-1800m. Cryptogenic.
    • ssp. insularis (Hatus.) Hatus., Fl. Ryukyus (1971) 846; ≡ Sida insularis Hatus., J. Jap. Bot. 35 (1960) 351; Mem. Fac. Agr. Kagoshima Univ. 5 (1966) 40. Distribution: Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Taiwan. BATAN. Notes: Wayside on littoral rocky cliff; presence in Batan: Hatusima 28568, 28737 and 28853. 0m. Cryptogenic.
    • ssp. retusa (L.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 195; ≡ Sida retusa L., Sp. Pl., 2nd Ed. (1763) 961; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 318; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 35. Distribution: Malesia. Cryptogenic.
    • ssp. rhombifolia. = Sida semicrenata Link, Enum. Hort. Berol. Alt. 2 (1822) 202; Type: Merrill Sp. Blanc. 450 (US, neo; A, BO, K, L, P, isoneo), Manila. = Sida philippica DC., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 1 (1824) 463; Type: ?Perrottet s.n. (G-DC ex Herb. Thibaud, holo), Philippines. Distribution: Malesia, Philippines. LUZON: NCR, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Davao del Sur, TAWI-TAWI. Cryptogenic.
  8. Sida spinosa L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 683; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 191. = Sida retusa Wight ex Mast., Fl. Brit. India 1 (1874) 323, nom. inval. Distribution: Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, New Guinea, Pantropic, Philippines, Sulawesi. BALABAC, LUZON: Benguet, Laguna, Rizal, MINDANAO, PALAWAN, SAMAR. Native.
  9. Sida subcordata Span., Linnaea 15 (1841) 172; Blumea 14 (1966) 201; Type: from Timor. = Sida puberula Merr., PJS 7c (1912) 90; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 35; Type: Vanoverbergh 853 (GRO, L, U, US, iso), Luzon: Bontoc. = Sida corylifolia Wall. ex Mast., Fl. Brit. India 1 (1874) 342; Wall., Cat. (1829) No. 1805, nom. inval., nom. nud.; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 34. Distribution: Indochina, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Myanmar, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand. BALABAC, LUZON: Cagayan (photos), Mountain Province, Pampanga (photos), Rizal, MINDORO. Notes: 0-1200m. Native.

Thespesia Sol. ex Correa

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 3 September 2026
  1. Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa, Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist. Nat. 9 (1807) 290; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 324; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 42; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 106; Fosb. & Sachet, Smithsonian Contr. Bot. No. 7 (1972) 8; ≡ Hibiscus populneus L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 694. Distribution: Pantropic. APULIT, JOLO, LOGBON, LUZON: Aurora (photos), Batangas, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, La Union, NCR, Quezon, Rizal, MINASAWA, MINDANAO: Davao, Davao Oriental (photos), Davao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat (photos), MINDORO, PALAUI, PALAWAN, PANAY, PAPAHAG, TABLAS, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Widespread throughout the Philippines along seashores. Occasionally found a few km inland, whether intentionally planted or not. 0-5m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  2. Thespesia populneoides (Roxb.) Kostel., Allg. Med.-Pharm. Fl. 5 (1836) 1861; Fosb. & Sachet, Smithsonian Contr. Bot. No. 7 (1972) 10; Aragones et al., Bot. ident. Handb. Philip. Mangrove Trees (1998) 57; ≡ Hibiscus populneoides Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 3 (1832) 191. Distribution: Australia, China, Indian Ocean, Indochina. APO DE MINDORO, GUIMARAS (photos), LUZON: Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, NCR, Rizal, MINDORO, PANAY. Notes: Throughout Malesia; cultivated in some parts of the neotropics. Native.

Urena Dill. ex L. (Not native)

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 24 February 2025
  1. Urena lobata L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 692; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 319; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 36; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 138. Distribution: Pantropic. BALABAC, LUZON: Isabela (photos), Mountain Province (photos), MINDANAO: Bukidnon (photos), Surigao del Norte (photos), Zamboanga del Norte (photos), MINDORO (photos). Notes: Waste places and thickets. 50-450m (photos). Naturalized.
    • ssp. lobata. Naturalized.
      • var. lobata. = Pavonia rubiformis Turcz., Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 31 (1858) 189; Type: Cuming 469 (BM, G, K, L, MEL, iso), Luzon: Calauang. = Urena lobata L. var. tomentosa (Blume) Walp., Nova Acta Acad. Caes. Leop.-Carol. German. Nat. Cur. 19 (1843) 304; ≡ Urena tomentosa Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1825) 65; Type: Meyen s.n. (B, holo, lost), Luzon: Manila. Naturalized.
      • var. viminea (Cav.) Gürke, Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16 (1892) 375; Borssum, Blumea 14 (1966) 141; ≡ Urena viminea Cav., Diss. 6, Sexta Diss. Bot. (1788) 335; Type: from Brazil. ≠ Urena lobata var. scabriuscula auct. non (DC.) Walp.; A.Gray, Bot. Wilkes US Explor. Exp. (1854) 169; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 320. Notes: Throughout most of Malesia. Naturalized.
    • ssp. sinuata (L.) Borss.Waalk., Blumea 14 (1966) 142; ≡ Urena lobata var. sinuata (L.) Miq., Pl. Jungh. (1854) 283; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 320; ≡ Urena sinuata L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 692. Naturalized.

References