Sagip Sarihay Series features critically endangered species in the Philippines, with weekly posts of alternating plant and animal species, and with the primary aims of awareness and call to action. This series is a project of the SciTech and the VA sections of UST-CSJ. (Note: Weekly order of posting does not reflect actual order of intensity of endangerment. Database reference for selection of species is the IUCN Red List.)

SAGIP SARIHAY #17

Schefflera urdanetensis

Words by Alyssa Rae Suyo
Artwork by Patricia Ysabel Tolosa

A visual representation of Schefflera urdanetensis.

Description

The Schefflera is classified as the widest ranging and largest genus in the family of Araliaceae (Frodin et al., 2010). This shrub is also known as the umbrella plant, which is used as an ornamental for interior designing. It has a general diameter at breast height of approximately 8 cm. In terms of ecology, Schefflera plants are often infested by larval insects such as Coccus hesperidum which degrade their photosynthetic activity and water balance (Anev et al., 2013).

Locality

S. urdanetensis is endemic to the island of Mindanao. The plant is restricted to two localities: Mt. Urdaneta in Agusan del Norte and Mt. Mayo in Davao Oriental. Initially, S. urdanetensis was only found to be restricted to Mt. Urdaneta in Cabadbaran. However, a specimen collection from Mt. Mayo in Tarragona evidently showed that S. urdanetensis is also present in those areas in the year 1972 (EDC, 2020).

Threats

Scientific observations show that the population of S. urdanetensis is decreasing (EDC, 2020). Culprits include land and agricultural expansion, urbanization, and shifting cultivation. These are evident in Agusan del Norte where an estimated 50% of its land area is converted into agricultural land. In addition, the area of Cabadbaran developed into a city with numerous human settlements. These anthropogenic activities contribute to the tree cover loss, which threatens the survival of the S. urdanetensis (EDC, 2020).

How can we help this endangered species?

S. urdanetensis is excluded in the Philippine Red List. Therefore, there is no legal protection from collecting the plant (EDC, 2020). No specific conservation plan is in place concerning the population decrease of S. urdanetensis. With this, it is highly encouraged to protect this species by preventing potential anthropogenic activities that affect the number of their population such as preventing excessive collection, and educating the locals in proper maintenance of forests.

References

Anev, Svetoslav & Tzvetkova, Nikolina & Pencheva, Anelya & Kabatliyska, Zlatka. (2013). Gas-exchange responses of Schefflera arboricola (Hayata) Merr. and Anthurium andreanum Linden. infested by Coccus hesperidum L. (Homoptera: Coccidae).. Acta Entomologica Buigarica. 15. 31–40.

Energy Development Corporation (EDC). 2020. Schefflera urdanetensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T154180077A157178641. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020- 3.RLTS.T154180077A157178641.en

Frodin, D. G., Lowry II, P. P., & Plunkett, G. M. (2010). Schefflera (Araliaceae): taxonomic history, overview and progress. Plant Diversity and Evolution, 128(3), 561.