Journal of Nature Studies 15 (1):87-97

ISSN: 1655-3179

HOYAS OF MINDORO ISLAND, PHILIPPINES: CONSERVATION

CONCERNS

Elaine Loreen C. Villanueva1* and Inocencio E. Buot, Jr.1, 2, 3

1
School of Environmental Science and Management, University of the Philippines
Los Baños, College, Laguna
2
Institute of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the
Philippines Los Baños, College, Laguna
3
Faculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines
Open University, Los Baños, Laguna
*Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT – This study provides a list of Hoyas that can be

found in Mindoro Island, a distinct biogeographical region of the
Philippines. Upon carrying out an exhaustive review of literature
available about Hoyas, this study came up with 18 species of Hoyas,
15 of which are reported to be endemic. The ecosystem degradation
especially in the forests of Mindoro has threatened the survival of
the Hoyas of the island. Recent efforts in the form of policies has
been implemented to prevent the conversion of forest ecosystems in
the Philippines, but much effort has still to be done for the
conservation of Hoyas. Evaluation on the listed endemic species for
conservation is also recommended to further intensify the
conservation efforts.

Keywords: Hoya, Mindoro, Philippines, forest conversion, conservation

INTRODUCTION

Hoya R. Br. is a genus of flowering plants that belongs to family Apocynaceae (Subfamily
Asclepiadoideae). Commonly known as wax plant or simply Hoyas, these plants are known to be Asiatic,
Pacific, N. Australian and Oceanic in distribution (Kloppenburg, 2012). Hoyas are popularly used as
ornamental plants, and some of its species have ethnomedicinal records like Hoya parasitica Wall. leaf
extract for fever and body pain (Atiqur Rahman and Wilcock, 2007); Hoya vanuatensis T. Green young
leaf cold maceration as oxitocic agent (Bradacs et al., 2011); Hoya globulosa Hook. f. leaf paste for bone
fracture (Das et al., 2008); Hoya coronaria Blume. crushed leaves for cuts and wounds (Samuel et al.,
2010); and Hoya potsii Trail leaves as invigorant and cure for injury, gynecological diseases, rheumatoid
arthritis, digestive disorders (Zheng and Xing, 2009).

The Philippines is one of the countries with the highest Hoya species diversity (Kloppenburg
and Siar, 2008). Hoyas can be found throughout the archipelago at all altitudes and at diverse habitat
types such as forests, swampy thickets, limestone cliffs and boulders, or even on cliffs (Kloppenburg,
2012; Merrill, 1923-1926). There are more than a hundred species of Hoya that had been recorded in the
country, and it is believed that more species await to be discovered (Aurigue, 2013).

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To cite this paper: Villanueva, E. L. C & Buot, I. E. 2016. Hoyas of
Mindoro Island, Philippines: Conservation Concerns. Journal of
Nature Studies. 15 (1): 87-97
Journal of Nature Studies 15(1)
Villanueva & Buot

Incidentally, the Philippines belongs to a region having the highest proportion of threatened
vascular plant species and second highest proportion of country-endemic vascular plant species (Sodhi et
al., 2010). In terms of endangered habitats and species, the Philippines is considered as one of the eight
biodiversity hottest hotspots in the world (Myers et al., 2000). While it is evident that the Philippines is
blessed with high diversity of plants, there still remains the fact that the Philippines has one of the most
number of threatened species and habitats (Fernando et al., 2008).

This paper provides an enumeration of Hoyas that are found in Mindoro, one of the islands in
the Philippines suffering from ecosystem degradation. Some of the species that are listed in the paper
can only be found in the island. While Mindoro is of great interest to many conservationists and plant
hobbyists because of its unique biogeographical features, it had undergone drastic alteration of landscape
(Schult, 2001) which can be a threat to many plant species including Hoyas. This paper will also address
conservation concerns for the Hoyas in the island as these plants are in possible danger of extinction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mindoro (Fig. 1) is the seventh largest island in the Philippines. It is geopolitically composed
of two provinces, Oriental Mindoro (land area: 423,838 ha) and Occidental Mindoro (586,571 ha).
According to the 2015 Census of Population and Housing, the population of the two provinces is around
844,000 and 487,000 respectively (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2016). Because of its high mountain
range in the middle of the island, the two provinces have different climactic conditions. Under the
modified Coronas classification (as cited by PAGASA, n. d.), Oriental Mindoro is experiencing Type III
climate (no very pronounced maximum rain period with a dry season lasting from only one to three
months). Most of the areas in Occidental Mindoro, on the other hand, has Type I climate (two
pronounced season, dry from November to April and wet during the rest of the year), while some of its
eastern side has Type III climate. This climate differences resulted to differences in vegetation types on
both sides. The eastern side has a rich forest vegetation while the western side is mostly dominated by
grassland areas (Mandia, 1998).

Figure 1. Map of Mindoro Island. (Drawn by the first author using QGIS v. 2.14).

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Hoyas of Mindoro Island, Philippines: Conservation Concerns

This study made use of several literature publications about Hoyas, (Aurigue, 2013; Merrill,
1923-1926; Kloppeburg 2015; 2014; 2012; 1992; 1990a; 1990b; 1990c; 1990d; 1990e; Robinson, 1911;
Schlechter, 1906), some of which came from classic literature about botany. From these references, the
distribution of Hoyas were identified. The list of Hoya species that are found in Mindoro were
summarized in Table 1. Other significant information were also noted in the table including their
geographic distribution, conservation status (based on Fernando et al., 2008) and references where these
species are mentioned. Under the geographic distribution column, other notable remarks were also
recorded in including its altitude and if the species is endemic or indigenous.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

There are 18 species that were recorded in Mindoro (Table 1). Among these species, 15 are
endemic to the Philippines and three are indigenous. It is also notable that there are three species in the
list that are classified as threatened DENR Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2007-01 (Fernando
et al., 2008). These are Hoya alagensis Kloppenb. (Endangered), Hoya halconensis Kloppenb.
(Endangered, Figure 2-b), and Hoya paziae Kloppenb (Vulnerable, Figure 2-e). Interestingly, these plants
were first discovered in Mindoro.

Table 1. Checklist of Hoya species in Mindoro, Philippines.

SPECIES GEOGRAPHIC CONSERVATION
REFERENCES
DISTRIBUTION STATUS*

Alag River, Baco, Oriental

Hoya alagensis Fraterna 1 (3) Philipp.
Mindoro; 150 masl.; EN
Kloppenb. Hoya Sp. Suppl.: I (1990)
endemic

Hoya brittonii Badoc, Calapan, Mindoro Fraterna 1992 (4): tab I

NA
Kloppenb. Creek, Mindoro, endemic (1992)

Luzon (Benguet, Tayabas,

Hoya
Sorsogon); Mindoro; low Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
camphorifolia NA
altitude -370 masl.; 351 (1923)
Warb.
endemic

Alag River, Baco, Oriental Fraterna 1 (3) Philipp.

Hoya cembra
Mindoro; 300 masl.; NA Hoya Sp. Suppl.: II
Kloppen.
endemic (1990)

Luzon (Benguet, Bontoc,

Bataan, Rizal, Camarines),
Hoya cumingiana Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
Mindoro, Ticao, Palawan; NA
Decne. 351 (1923)
low altitude -200 masl.;
indigenous

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Table 1. Checklist of Hoya species in Mindoro, Philippines.(Continuation)

SPECIES GEOGRAPHIC CONSERVATION

REFERENCES
DISTRIBUTION STATUS*

Hoya New 2(1): 3. 2014

Puerto Galera, Oriental
Hoya espaldoniana [Jan 2015] [e-published];
Mindoro, Burdeos, Polillo NA
Kloppenb. Asia Life Sciences 24(2):
Island; endemic
469-476 (2015).

Mindoro, Biliran, Dinagat,

Hoya fischeriana Mindanao (Surigao, Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
NA
Warb. Davao); low altitude - 660 352 (1923).
masl.; endemic

Hoya galeraensis Puerto Galera, Oriental Hoya New 4(1): 43. 2015
NA
Kloppenb. Mindoro; endemic [Jan 2015] [e-published]

Luzon (Sorsogon),
Hoya gracilis Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
Mindoro, Panay; NA
Schlechter 352 (1923)
indigenous

Fraterna 1 (3) Philipp.

Hoya halconensis Mt. Halcon, Mindoro; 900
EN Hoya Sp. Suppl.: III
Kloppenb. masl.; endemic
(1990)

Luzon (Rizal, Laguna,

Tayabas, Sorsogon),
Polillo, Mindoro, Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
Hoya incrassata Busuanga, Panay, 352 (1923), Philipp.
NA
Warb. Camiguin de Misamis, Journ. Sci. 6c. 220
Mindanao (Surigao, (1911)
Agusan); low altitude;
indigenous

Luzon (Ifugao, Quezon,

Hoya madulidii and), Mindanao (Davao
Fraterna 1 (3) Philipp.
[Kloppenb.] Oriental and Zamboanga),
NA Hoya Sp. Suppl.: IV
Kloppenb. & Palawan, Mindoro and
(1990)
Gilding Sulu; low altitude;
endemic

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Hoyas of Mindoro Island, Philippines: Conservation Concerns

Table 1. Checklist of Hoya species in Mindoro, Philippines.(Continuation)

SPECIES GEOGRAPHIC CONSERVATION

REFERENCES
DISTRIBUTION STATUS*

Hoya mcgregorii Baco River, Mindoro; low Philipp. Journ. Sci. i.

NA
Schlechter altitude; endemic Suppl. 302 (1906)

Luzon (Apayao, Union,

Rizal, Bataan, Laguna),
Hoya meliflua Mindoro, Palawan, Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
NA
Merr. Negros, Panay, Leyte; low 352 (1923)
altitude - 150 masl.;
endemic

Luzon (Nueva Vizcaya,

Tayabas, Cavite,
Hoya merrillii Camarines), Mindoro, Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.
NA
Schltr. Panay, Mindanao (Davao); 353 (1923)
low altitude -250 masl.;
endemic

Philipp. Journ. Sci. i.

Baco River, Mindoro; low
Hoya mindorensis Suppl. 303 (1906),
altitude - 70 masl.; NA
Schlechter Enum. Philipp. Fl. Pl. iii.,
endemic
353

Babayan Is., Luzon (most

or all provinces), Polillo,
Hoya multiflora Mindoro, Tablas, Samar, Philippine Hoya Species
NA
Blume Panay, Siargao, Dinagat, 3rd ed (1996) 106-108.
Mindanao; 600-660 masl.;
indigenous

Mt. Halcon, Mindoro, Fraterna 1 (3) Philipp.

Hoya paziae
Quezon, Antique; 900 VU Hoya Sp. Suppl.: VI
Kloppenb.
masl.; endemic (1990)

*Conservation status is based from DENR list of threatened species (DAO No. 2007-01, also found
in Fernando et al., 2008). EN = Endangered; VU = Vulnerable; NA = Not Assessed.

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Villanueva & Buot

Most hoyas are epiphytic and are usually found on trees in the forests, while some of which are
recorded to be thriving in limestone habitat (Hoya cumingiana Decne. and Hoya espaldoniana
Kloppenb.). The hoyas in Mindoro can be found in varying altitudes, from low up to 900 masl.

While most of these species thrive in the forests, the threats in the survival of Hoya species can
be seen in the island’s change in landscape over time. Forest conversion is one of the threats for
biodiversity not only in Mindoro but in the whole region of Southeast Asia (Sodhi, 2004; Villanueva and
Buot, 2015). The forests of Mindoro has been converted into agricultural lands. Most of the areas having
intact forests have reduced significantly, and these forests are isolated in its mountain ranges in the
central part of the island, including the primary forests of Mt. Halcon (Schult, 2001).

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Hoyas of Mindoro Island, Philippines: Conservation Concerns

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Villanueva & Buot

Figure 2. Some of the Hoya species found in Mindoro Island, Philippines: a) Hoya camphorifolia
Warb., b) Hoya halconensis Kloppenb., c) Hoya multiflora Blume, d) Hoya meliflua Merr., and e)
Hoya paziae Kloppenb.
Photo credits: (a, b, e) Edward Agdeppa, (c) Elaine Loreen Villanueva, (d) Inocencio Buot, Jr.

To further explain this land use change, it will be essential to first take a glance at the island’s
history. During the 1900’s, about two-thirds of Mindoro’s land area is covered with tropical forests,
extending up to its coastal regions (Schult, 2001). Mindoro was one of the major producers of timber in
the country, with 44 percent of Mindoro’s forests reported to have commercial value (Merritt, 1908). The
influx of human settlement in Mindoro during the 1920s has brought economic development to the
province, but it also resulted to an increasing man-made disturbance in the forests of the island. This was
the period when the migrants who settled in the lowlands outnumbered the Mangyans, the native
inhabitants of Mindoro. This period gave way to conversion to agricultural lands, building of
infrastructure, and increase in trade of crops. With these development comes the conversion of most of
the lands that were once forested, leading to the island’s current state of being mainly agricultural
economy. During the Japanese occupation in 1940’s, the population growth slowed down, but war
conflict had only led to the human encroachment of both the Mangyans and lowlanders (Hebling and
Schult, 1997). The timber production resumed after the war, and big modern logging companies began to
go into the interior of the islands. During the period of Martial Law application for logging concessions
in the island becomes easier through Timber Licensing Aggreement (TLA). This allowed logging
companies to exploit large areas of forests for logging (Vitug, 1998).

Somehow, policies have been implemented in the Philippines in order to safeguard its
remaining critical ecosystems. Some areas in Mindoro are declared as protected areas under the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 (RA 7586), like the Apo Reef Natural Park, F.
B Harrison Game Refuge and Bird Sanctuary, Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary, Mts. Iglit-Baco National
Park, and Naujan Lake National Park. Ironically, Mt. Halcon, which houses a lot of endemic flora and
fauna and a major watershed reserve, is not declared as a protected area under this Act (Gonzales et al.,
2000). There are two Hoya species in Table 1 that are reported to be found in Mt. Halcon (Hoya

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Hoyas of Mindoro Island, Philippines: Conservation Concerns

halconensis Kloppenb. and Hoya paziae Kloppenb.) and both are listed as threatened by the DENR
(Fernando et al., 2008). As of 2011, the total log ban in the Philippines (E.O. 23 s. 2011) was issued
which declares a moratorium the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests in the
whole country.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

This study provided a list of 18 Hoya species that are reported to be found in Mindoro,
Philippines, majority of which are listed as endemic in the Philippines. There is a need for these endemic
species to be evaluated for conservation. The degradation of forest ecosystems in Mindoro Island has
become a threat for these Hoya species, and protecting the remaining forests of the island will help
conserve the Hoyas and the flora of Mindoro in general. Strictly implementing policies and promoting
activities that will increase awareness of the people will be also be helpful in protecting the Mindoro flora
and even its ecosystems in general.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors acknowledged with thanks the Graduate Mentoring and Apprenticeship Program (GMAP) of
the University of the Philippines Los Baños. STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP

The second author conceptualized the study. The first author did the review, field work and
initiated the drafting of the manuscript for publication under the guidance and mentorship of the second
author.

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