Sterculiaceae

Malvaceae s.l. - Sterculioideae

Firmiana Marsili

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 21 November 2021
  1. Firmiana minahassae (Koord.) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 7 (1965) 32; ≡ Sterculia minahassae Koord., Meded. Lands Plantentuin 19 (1898) 640. = Firmiana philippinensis Kosterm., Reinwardtia 4 (1957) 298; Type: BS 29858 Fenix (BO). ≠ Firmiana simplex auct. non (L.) W.Wight; Merr., PJS 13 c (1918) Bot. 308; EPFP 3 (1923) 56. Distribution: Philippines, Sulawesi. LUZON: Ifugao, Pangasinan, ?Quezon (photos). Native.

Heritiera Aiton

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 25 January 2025
  1. Heritiera javanica (Blume) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 4 (1959) 521; ≡ Tarrietia javanica Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1825) 227; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 57; Type: from Java. Distribution: Indochina, Philippines, Sulawesi. BASILAN, LUZON: NCR, MINDANAO: Cotabato, Davao, Lanao, Misamis, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Sur, OLUTANGA. Notes: Common in primary forests at low and medium elevation. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  2. Heritiera littoralis Dryand. ex Aiton, Hort. Kew., 1st Ed. 3 (1789) 546; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 328; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 58; Cortez et al., Check List 19 (2023) 990. Distribution: Africa, Andaman Isls, Bangladesh, Bismarck Arch, Borneo, Cambodia, China, India, Indian Ocean, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Madagascar, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, Myanmar, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Nicobar Isls, Pacific Ocean, Philippines, Ryukyu Isls, Solomon Isls, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. BASILAN, BATAN, BORACAY (photos), BUSUANGA, CULION, DINAGAT, GUIMARAS, LAGEN, LUZON: Aurora, Bataan, Batangas (photos), Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Laguna, NCR, Quezon, Rizal, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao Oriental (photos), Davao del Sur, Lanao, Surigao, Surigao del Sur (photos), MINDORO, PALAUI, PALAWAN, PANAY (photos), POLO, SEMIRARA, SIARGAO, TICAO. Notes: Throughout the Philippines. Common constituent of coastal forests and mangroves. 0m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  3. Heritiera sylvatica S.Vidal, Revis. Pl. Vasc. Filip. (1886) 66; Kosterm., Reinwardtia 4 (1959) 509; ≡ Tarrietia sylvatica (S.Vidal) Merr., Bull. Bur. Forest. Philipp. Islands 1 (1903) 38; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 57; Type: Vidal 103 (MA, syn), Luzon: Nueva Ecija, Umingan; Vidal 105 (MA, syn), Luzon: Batangas, Lobo. Distribution: Philippines, Sulawesi. APULIT, LUZON: Bataan, Batangas, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MASBATE, MINDORO, NEGROS, PANAY, SAMAR. Notes: In dry primary forests at low and medium elevation. Native.

Hildegardia Schott & Endl.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 3 June 2018
  1. Hildegardia merrittii (Merr.) Kosterm., Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 24 (1954) 338; ≡ Firmiana merrittii Merr., PJS 9c (1914) 314; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 56. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. MINDORO. Notes: Forests at low elevation. Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Pterocymbium R.Br.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 10 June 2026
  1. Pterocymbium tinctorium (Blanco) Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 27 (1905) 24; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 57; Kosterm., Reinwardtia 1 (1950) 43; Raganas et al., Biodiversitas 26 (2025) 1193; ≡ Heritiera tinctoria Blanco, Fl. Filip., 1st Ed. (1837) 653. = Pterocymbium macrocrater Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 117; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 57. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra. BABUYAN ISLS, CAMIGUIN, LAGEN, LEYTE (photos), LUZON: Apayao (photos), Bataan, Batangas (photos), Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Pampanga, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MINDANAO: Bukidnon (photos), Davao Oriental (photos), Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental (photos), MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY (photos). Notes: Widespread in Luzon from at least Cagayan to Camarines Sur; in secondary or thin primary forests at sea level and low and medium elevation. 0m to 50-100m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Pterygota Schott & Endl.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 3 June 2018
  1. Pterygota horsfieldii (R.Br.) Kosterm., Reinwardtia 2 (1953) 365; ≡ Tetradia horsfieldii R.Br., Pterocymbium (1844) 233. = Sterculia blancoi Rolfe, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 21 (1884) 308; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 52. Distribution: Java, New Guinea, Philippines. GUIMARAS, LEYTE (photos), LUZON: Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, MASBATE, MINDORO, SIBUYAN, TICAO. Notes: Forests at low elevation. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.

Sterculia L.

Last edited by Pieter B. Pelser, 7 June 2026
  1. Sterculia ceramica R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 233; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 53; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102; Romeroso et al., Asian J. Biol. Life Sc. 10 (2021) 439; Cortez et al., Check List 19 (2023) 990; Raganas et al., Biodiversitas 26 (2025) 1193. = Sterculia glabrifolia Merr., PJS 17 (1920) 283; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 54. = Sterculia luzonica Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 115; Merr., Fl, Manila (1912) 327. Distribution: Borneo, Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi, Taiwan. APO, BATAN, BILIRAN, BORACAY (photos), DANJUGAN (photos), GUIMARAS, HAMORAON, HOMONHON, LUZON: Aurora (photos), Camarines, Camarines Sur, Isabela, NCR, Sorsogon, Zambales, MINDANAO: Davao del Norte, Surigao, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PAMALICAN, PANAY (photos), PUJADA, ROMBLON, SIARGAO, SIBUYAN, SIDANAO, SULU ARCHIPELAGO, TABLAS, TAWI-TAWI, TICAO, TURTLE IS. Notes: Widespread in W Luzon and Mindanao; coastal thickets and forests on sandy clay or coralline limestone, usually immediately back of the beach. 0-100m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  2. Sterculia comosa Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 2 (1830) 2; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102. = Sterculia philippinensis Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 17 (1904) 29; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55. = Sterculia ramosii Merr., PJS 11c (1916) 195; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 56. Distribution: Moluccas, Philippines, Sulawesi. CATANDUANES, GUIMARAS, LUZON: Albay, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Sorsogon, MINDANAO, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY, SAMAR, SIBUYAN. Notes: Forests up to 700m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  3. Sterculia cordata Blume, Bijdr. fl. Ned. Ind. (1825) 83; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102. Distribution: CAMIGUIN DE BABUYANES, LUZON: Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac, MINDORO. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • var. montana (Merr.) Tantra, Revis. Gen. Sterculia Malesia (1976) 102; ≡ Sterculia montana Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 35 (1906) 40; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. CAMIGUIN DE BABUYANES, LUZON: Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Laguna, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac. Notes: Primary forests up to 900m. Native.
  4. Sterculia cuspidata R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 233; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102. = Sterculia graciliflora Perkins, Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 114; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 54; Type: Merrill 1177 (US), Mindoro: Baco. Distribution: Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Sumatra. BILIRAN, BUCAS GRANDE, LUZON: Batangas, Camarines, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Quezon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Bukidnon, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Zamboanga del Norte (photos), Zamboanga del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN. Notes: Thickets and forests at low elevation. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  5. Sterculia foetida L., Sp. Pl., 1st Ed. (1753) 1008; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 327; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 53; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102; Cañeda et al., Davao Research J. 16 (2025) 91. Distribution: Africa to India through Malesia to Australia. APULIT, BALABAC, BORACAY (photos), BUYAYAO (photos), CORREGIDOR (photos), CULION, DINAGAT, LUZON: Abra, Bataan, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Ilocos Norte, Laguna, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan (photos), Quezon, Rizal, Tarlac, MARINDUQUE, MINDANAO: Davao Occidental, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY, SIBUYAN, TABLAS. Notes: Luzon (Cagayan) to Palawan and Mindanao, in most or all islands and provinces. Deciduous tree in semi-open forests, especially in very seasonal areas, particularly common along the sea coast on coralline limestone and sandstone. 0-1000m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  6. Sterculia macrophylla Vent., Jard. Malmaison (1805) t.91; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102; Buhay et al., Biodiversitas 26 (2025) 3087. = Sterculia crassiramea Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 29 (1905) 28; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 53. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula, Moluccas, New Guinea, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra. LUZON: Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Laguna, Pampanga (photos), Quezon, Rizal, MINDORO, PALAWAN, PANAY (photos), SAMAR. Notes: Deciduous tree in primary forests at low and medium elevation. 400m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  7. Sterculia mindorensis Tantra, Revis. Gen. Sterculia Malesia (1976) 102; Type: PNH 18812 Conklin (L, holo), Mindoro: Mindoro Oriental (Mansalay, Mt Yagaw, known only from the type collection). Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. MINDORO. Notes: Dry forest, 400m. Fl. Sep. Conservation status: Critically Endangered (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  8. Sterculia oblongata R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 232; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 327; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Lesser Sunda Isls, Malay Peninsula, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatra. APULIT, BABUYAN ISLS, BALABAC, BATAN, BUSUANGA, CATANDUANES, CULION, DINAGAT, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Cavite, Laguna, NCR, Quezon, Rizal, Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Lanao, MINDORO, NEGROS, PANAY, POLILLO, PONEAS, SAMAR, SIASI. Notes: Secondary and primary forests at low and medium elevation. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
  9. Sterculia rubiginosa Vent., Jard. Malmaison (1805) t.91; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102. = Sterculia brevipetiolata Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 35 (1906) 40; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 53. = Sterculia cuneata R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 232; Merr., Fl. Manila (1912) 328; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 53. = Sterculia ferruginea R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 232; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 54. = Sterculia humilis Elmer, LPB 2 (1910) 681; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 54. = Sterculia obovata Merr., Publ. Bur. Sci. Gov. Lab. 29 (1905) 28; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55. = Sterculia stipularis R.Br., Pl. Jav. Rar. (Bennett) (1844) 232; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 56. Distribution: BASILAN, BILIRAN, CATANDUANES, CULION, DINAGAT (photos), DUMARAN, HOMONHON, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Apayao (photos), Aurora, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Mountain Province, NCR, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MANICANI, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte (photos), Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro (photos), Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte (photos), Lanao del Sur, Misamis, Misamis Occidental, Zamboanga, Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, MINDORO, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, POLILLO, SAMAR, SIBUYAN, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: 0-1600m. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • var. rubiginosa. Distribution: Borneo, Java, Malay Peninsula, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Thailand. BASILAN, CATANDUANES, LEYTE, LUZON: Albay, Bataan, Benguet, Cagayan, Camarines, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Laguna, Mountain Province, Quezon, Rizal, Zambales, MANICANI, MINDANAO: Bukidnon, NEGROS, PALAWAN, PANAY, POLILLO, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Occupying a wide spectrum of habitat ranging from thickets and open secondary forests to primary forests. 0-1600m. Native.
    • var. divaricata (Merr.) Tantra, Revis. Gen. Sterculia Malesia (1976) 102; Romeroso et al., J. Asia-Pacific biodiv. 17 (2024) 13; ≡ Sterculia divaricata Merr., PJS 8c (1913) 384; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 54. Distribution: Borneo, Philippines. HOMONHON, LEYTE, LUZON: Bataan, Benguet, PALAWAN, SAMAR. Notes: Primary forests at low elevation. Native.
    • var. setistipula (Merr.) Tantra, Revis. Gen. Sterculia Malesia (1976) 102; ≡ Sterculia setistipula Merr., Univ. Calif. Publ. Bot. 15 (1929) 192. = Sterculia multistipularis Elmer, LPB 2 (1908) 497; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55. = Sterculia longisepala Merr., PJS 30 (1926) 409; Type: BS 44070 Ramos & Edaño (NY, US, iso), Tawi-tawi. Distribution: Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Philippines. LEYTE, LUZON: Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quezon, TAWI-TAWI. Notes: Forested ravines up to 1200m. Native.
  10. Sterculia spatulata Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 116; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 56; Type: Warburg 14914, Jolo. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. DUMARAN, JOLO, MINDANAO: Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Sur, PALAWAN. Notes: Forested dry slopes at low elevation. Native.
  11. Sterculia stipulata Korth., Ned. Kruidk. Arch. 1 (1848) 306; Tantra, Lemb. Pen. Hut. Comm. (1976) 102. Distribution: APULIT, BASILAN, BOHOL, CAMIGUIN, CEBU (photos), LEYTE, LUZON: Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao de Oro (photos), Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, South Cotabato (photos), Surigao del Norte (photos), Surigao del Sur (photos), Zamboanga Sibugay, MINDORO, PALAWAN, SAMAR, SIARGAO. Notes: 0-950m (photos). Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1). Native.
    • var. jagori (Warb.) Tantra, Revis. Gen. Sterculia Malesia (1976) 102; ≡ Sterculia jagori Warb., Fragm. Fl. Philipp. (1904) 115; Merrill, EPFP 3 (1923) 55; Type: Jagor 1004, Leyte. = Sterculia membranifolia Kosterm., Reinwardtia 1 (1950) 49. = Pterocymbium gigantifolium Elmer, LPB 1 (1908) 320; Type: Elmer 9424 (L, iso), Leyte, near Palo, Jan-1906. Distribution: Endemic to the Philippines. BASILAN, CEBU (photos), LEYTE, LUZON: Sorsogon, MINDANAO: Agusan del Norte, Davao, Misamis Oriental, SAMAR, SIARGAO. Notes: Primary forests at low elevation. Native.

Possibly present

  1. Sterculia lanceolata Cav., Diss. 5, Quinta Diss. Bot. (1788) 287. Distribution: China, Laos, Myanmar, ?Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam. ?LUZON: ?Isabela. Notes: Note by P.B. Pelser (21-June-20): Ridsdale et al. ISU517 (L) from Isabela Prov possibly represents this species. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN 3.1).

References