Plantaginaceae

Adenosma R.Br.

1. Adenosma indiana (Lour.) Merr., Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., 2nd Ser., 24 (1935) 351; Westaway & Barker, Plant Protection Quarterly 30 (2015) 133; ≡ Manulea indiana Lour., Fl. Cochinch. (1790) 386. = Adenosma bilabiata (Roxb.) Merr., EPFP 3 (1923) 434; ≡ Erinus bilabiatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 3 (1832) 92; Hort. Beng. (1814) 47, nom. inval., nom. nud. Distribution: Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Nueva Vizcaya, Rizal, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, PALAWAN. Notes: Low and medium elevation thickets. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
2. Adenosma javanica (Blume) Koord., Exkurs.-Fl. Java 3 (1912) 175; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 434; ≡ Herpestis javanica Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 748. Distribution: Borneo, Cambodia, China, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Myanmar, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Bulacan, Laguna, Pangasinan, Rizal, MINDANAO: Lanao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: Lowland and medium elevation forests along small streams. Native.

Angelonia Bonpl.

1. Angelonia angustifolia Benth., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 10 (1846) 254. Distribution: America. MINDANAO: Davao del Sur (photos), PANAY. Notes: First reported as naturalized in the Philippines by Christian Earl Reyes. Found along roadside in Antique Province, San Remigio, Brgy Aningalan. Naturalized.

Bacopa Aubl.

1. Bacopa floribunda (R.Br.) Wettst., Nat. Pflanzenfam. (Engler & Prantl) 4(3b) (1891) 76; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 422; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 435; ≡ Herpestis floribunda R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 442. Distribution: Africa, Australia, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. CEBU, LUZON: Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, NCR, Rizal, Zambales. Notes: In wet grasslands and rice fields, in swamps, and on wet sand around ponds, at low elevation. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
2. Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst., Nat. Pflanzenfam. (Engler & Prantl) 4(3b) (1891) 77; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 422; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 435, as ‘monnieria’; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 585; ≡ Lysimachia monnieri L., Cent. Pl. II (1756) 9. Distribution: Pantropic. BOHOL, CEBU, LUZON: Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Laguna, NCR, Rizal, PANAY (photos), POLILLO. Notes: Lowland open wet places, chiefly within the influence of salt or brackish water. 0m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Bythophyton Hook.f.

1. Bythophyton indicum (Hook.f. & Thomson) Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4 (1884) 286; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 436; ≡ Micranthemum indicum Hook.f. & Thomson, Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 9 (1857) 245. Distribution: India, Philippines. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: In shallow water, and along the marshy margin of a small pond. 2200m. Native.

Callitriche L. (Not native)

1. Callitriche sp. Distribution: LUZON: Benguet. Notes: John Edward Matulina Villasis (29-Dec-25): Potentially introduced through the aquarium trade. It remains unclear whether the populations present in the country belong to Callitriche terrestris Raf., Callitriche deflexa A.Braun, or both. These species, both of American origin with a long history of naturalization in Japan and Taiwan, differ only in their pedicel length. Merrill 9658 (US) from Benguet possibly represents the taxon in the country. Naturalized.

Digitalis L. (Not native)

1. Digitalis purpurea L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 622; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 589. Distribution: Europe. LUZON: Mountain Province. Notes: In the Philippines commonly cultivated as an ornamental at high elevation, e.g. Cordillera Highlands of N Luzon. Naturalized at Mt Data in Mountain Province (L. Molina-Magtoto, pers. comm. 21-Jul-21). Naturalized.

Dopatrium Buch.-Ham.

1. Dopatrium junceum (Roxb.) Buch.-Ham. ex Benth., Scroph. Ind. (1835) 31; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 426; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 435; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 589; ≡ Gratiola juncea Roxb., Pl. Coromandel 2 (1799) 16. Distribution: Afghanistan, Africa, Andaman Isls, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Java, Korea, Malay Peninsula, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, W Asia. LUZON: NCR, Rizal, PANAY. Notes: Lowland old rice paddies. Very local in the Philippines. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Ellisiophyllum Maxim.

1. Ellisiophyllum pinnatum (Wall. ex Benth.) Makino, Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 20 (1906) 91; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 441; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 591; ≡ Ourisia pinnata Wall. ex Benth., Scroph. Ind. (1835) 47. Distribution: China, India, Japan, Nepal, New Guinea, Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Mossy forests on the highest mountains. 2000-2400m. Native.

Hemiphragma Wall.

1. Hemiphragma heterophyllum Wall., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 1st Ser. 13 (1822) 612; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 441; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 597. = Nertera dentata Elmer, LPB 1 (1906) 15; Type: Elmer 6239 (BISH, L, NY, US, iso), Luzon: Benguet, Mt Sto Tomas, forming dense mats in clay-like soil at c. 2000m, May-1904. Distribution: China, Himalayas, Myanmar, Philippines, Taiwan. LUZON: Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon (photos), MINDANAO: Davao del Sur. Notes: High montane regions, in open grasslands, marshy borders of sluggish streams, etc. 2000-2600m. Native.

Limnophila R.Br.

1. Limnophila aromatica (Lam.) Merr., Interpr. Herb. Amboin. (1917) 466; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 432; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 145; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 599; ≡ Ambulia aromatica Lam., Encycl. (Lamarck) 1 (1783) 128. Distribution: Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Korea, Laos, Malay Peninsula, New Guinea, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam. BUSUANGA, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Batangas, Benguet, Camarines, Ilocos Norte, Laguna (photos), Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, MINDANAO: Davao, PALAWAN, POLILLO, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: In marshes and open wet places. 3-2700m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
2. Limnophila chinensis (Osbeck) Merr., Amer. J. Bot. 3 (1916) 581; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 433; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 151; ≡ Columnea chinensis Osbeck, Dagb. Ostind. Resa (1757) 230. Distribution: Andaman Isls, Australia, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nicobar Isls, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand, Vietnam. MINDANAO: Davao, Lanao del Sur. Notes: Low and medium elevation open swampy places. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
3. Limnophila fragrans (G.Forst.) Seem., Fl. Vit. (1865) 180; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 423; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 433; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 139; ≡ Ruellia fragrans G.Forst., Fl. Ins. Austr. (1786) 44. Distribution: Australia, Moluccas, New Guinea, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Solomon Isls, Taiwan. CEBU, LEYTE, LUZON: Camarines Norte, Laguna (photos), POLILLO. Notes: Lowland rice paddies. 20-700m. Native.
4. Limnophila heterophylla (Roxb.) Benth., Scroph. Ind. (1835) 25; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 124; ≡ Columnea heterophylla Roxb., Fl. Ind. (Roxburgh) 3 (1832) 97. Distribution: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. MINDANAO: Agusan del Sur (photos), Misamis Oriental (photos). Notes: Lowlands, in ponds, streams or ricefields, or also occasionally in brackish water. 0m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
5. Limnophila indica (L.) Druce, Bot. Exch. Club Brit. Isles Rep. 3 (1914) 420; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 433; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 115; ≡ Limnophila gratioloides R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. (1810) 442, nom. illeg., nom. superfl.; ≡ Hottonia indica L., Sp. Pl., 2nd Ed. (1762) 208; Type: from Australia. = Limnophila roxburghii Benth., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 10 (1846) 388, nom. illeg. Distribution: Africa, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Java, Korea, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LEYTE, LUZON: Benguet, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao, Lanao del Sur. Notes: Lowlands and medium elevation, in shallow sluggish streams. John Edward Matulina Villasis (3-Aug-24): Kaul 2119 (US) from Sorsogon attributed to Limnophila sessiliflora is actually Limnophila indica. 9-2250m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
6. Limnophila obovata Merr., PJS 20 (1922) 439; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 433; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 138; Type: Merrill 7227 (BM, K, L, US, iso), Palawan: Ulugan Bay, Sep-1910. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. BALABAC, PALAWAN. Notes: Lowland, along small streams, often in shallow water, in shaded places. Native.
7. Limnophila repens (Benth.) Benth., Prodr. (A. P. de Candolle) 10 (1846) 387; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 154; ≡ Stemodia repens Benth., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 17 (1832) t.1470. = Limnophila manilensis Merr., PJS 7c (1912) 246; Fl. Manila (1912) 423; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 433; Type: Merrill 7432 (US, iso), Luzon: Manila and vicinity, Jan/Feb-1911. Distribution: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Bulacan, Laguna, NCR, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales. Notes: Lowland fallow rice paddies. 350-1000m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
8. Limnophila rugosa (Roth) Merr., Interpr. Herb. Amboin. (1917) 466; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 434; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 135; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 601; ≡ Herpestis rugosa Roth, Nov. Pl. Sp. (1821) 290; Type: from India. = Tala odorata Blanco, Fl. Filip., 1st Ed. (1837) 484. Distribution: Bangladesh, China, India, Laos, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. LUZON: Aurora, Bulacan, Camarines, Camarines Norte, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Nueva Vizcaya, Pampanga, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, MINDORO (photos), NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY. Notes: Lowlands, open wet places. 15-1200m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
9. Limnophila stolonifera (Blanco) Merr., Sp. Blancoanae (1918) 345; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 434; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 158; ≡ Diceros stolonifer Blanco, Fl. Filip., 2nd Ed. (1845) 349, as 'stoloniferus'; Type: Not extant, possible neotype: Merrill Sp. Blancoanae 201 (BM, K, L). Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Rizal. Notes: Lowlands, in wet fallow rice paddies. Native.

Possibly present

1. Limnophila sessiliflora (Vahl) Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 750; Philcox, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 112; ≡ Hottonia sessiliflora Vahl, Symb. Bot. (Vahl) 2 (1791) 36; Type: from Java. Distribution: Bangladesh, China, India, Java, Korea, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. Notes: Reported for the Philippines by Moody (1989) as a weed in rice, but no specimens cited. John Edward Matulina Villasis (3-Aug-24): Kaul 2119 (US) from Sorsogon attributed to Limnophila sessiliflora is actually Limnophila indica.

Plantago L. (Not native)

1. Plantago lanceolata L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 113; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 491. Distribution: Europe. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Naturalized weed in gardens (Merrill 1923). Naturalized.
2. Plantago major L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 112; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 444; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 491. Distribution: Africa, Eurasia. CEBU, LUZON: Benguet, Laguna, Mountain Province, MINDANAO: Cotabato (photos), Misamis Oriental (photos). Notes: Naturalized in waste places in and around towns (Merrill 1923) and in secondary forest. 500m (photos). Naturalized.

Russelia Jacq. (Not native)

Cultivated, not naturalized

1. Russelia equisetiformis Schltdl. & Cham., Linnaea 6 (1831) 377. = Russelia juncea Zucc., Flora 15(Beibl.) (1832) 99; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 421; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 431. Distribution: C America. Notes: Cultivated for ornamental purposes, occasionally spontaneous on damp stone walls in towns. Cultivated, not naturalized.

Scoparia L. (Not native)

1. Scoparia dulcis L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 116; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 420; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 441; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 621; Cortez et al., Check List 19 (2023) 989. Distribution: Neotropics. APULIT, BALABAC, LUZON: Aurora, Isabela, Quezon (photos), MINDORO (photos), PALAWAN, PANAY, SIARGAO, TABLAS. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. Now pantropic in distribution. Low and medium elevation, a very common weed in the settled areas. 0m. Naturalized.

Stemodia L. (Not native)

1. Stemodia verticillata (Mill.) Hassl., Trab. Mus. Farmacol. 21 (1909) 110; ≡ Erinus verticillatus Mill., Gard. Dict., 8th Ed. (1786) No. 5. Distribution: Neotropics. LUZON: Ifugao (photos). Notes: Roadside. Naturalized.

Veronica L.

1. Veronica javanica Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1826) 746; Quisumbing, PJS 41 (1930) 345; Steenis, Mountain Fl. Java (1972) Pl. 51-4; Liu in Huang, Fl. Taiwan ed. 2, 4 (1998) 632. Distribution: Africa, China, India, Japan, Java, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Sri Lanka, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam. LUZON: Benguet, Mountain Province. Notes: Near trails. 2000m. Native.
2. Veronica monantha Merr., PJS 5c (1910) 385; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 441; Type: Merrill 6593 (US, iso), Luzon: Benguet, Mt Pulag, May-1909. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: Mossy forest. 2600m. Native.
3. Veronica persica Poir., Encycl. (Lamarck) 8 (1808) 542. Distribution: Middle East. LUZON: Benguet. Notes: John Edward Matulina Villasis (pers. comm., 28-Dec-25): Naturalized in Benguet. Naturalized.