Philippine Journal of Science
142:(3) 145-157, Special Issue
ISSN 0031 - 7683
A Review of the Taxonomy and Taxonomic Characters of Philippine Alocasia (Schott) G. Don (Araceae)
Melanie P. Medecilo1 and Domingo A. Madulid2
1Biological Sciences Department, De La Salle University - Dasmariñas
City of Dasmariñas, Cavite, Philippines
2Biology Department, De La Salle University
Taft Avenue, Manila, Philippines
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to provide insights in the taxonomy of Philippine Alocasia by investigating the morphology, anatomy and pollen characters of the component species. Results showed that morphological characters can be used to a certain extent in delimiting taxa, while leaf anatomical characters showed continuous variation between species and are not of much use for taxonomic recognition when used alone. The combined morphology, anatomy and pollen characters showed a clear distinction on the ‘heterophylla’, ‘longiloba’, ‘macrorrhizos’, ‘odora’, ‘princeps’ and ‘scabriuscula’ groups, which agree with the classification of Alocasia proposed by Hay in 1991, 1998, 1999. The distribution and ecology of the species were also reported. The center of diversity of Alocasia in the Philippine archipelago is in Luzon and the Visayan regions. All of the species, except A. macrorrhizos, are endemic to the country. This study shows that the Philippines now ranks second, next to Borneo, in terms of species diversity of Alocasia.
INTRODUCTION
Araceae is one of the most ecologically and structurally diverse family of monocots occupying a wide variety of habitats and display a notable diversity of life forms from geophytes, climbers, epiphytes, helophytes to freefloating aquatics (Croat 1998, Grayum 1990, Mayo et al. 1997). The family is represented by 114 genera and 3,750 species (Boyce 2004, Croat 1988). In the Philippines, it is represented by 25 genera and ca. 150 species, with Alocasia having the most number of species (see also Merrill 1923). . . . . . . . read more
