Home⇛NRCP Research Journal⇛vol. 25 no. 1 (2026)

Leaf Architecture as a Factor in the Metal Uptake Capacity of Brackenridgea foxworthyi (Elm.) Furtado from Selected Ultramafic Formations in Palawan Island, Philippines

Ma. Ellenita G. De Castro | Katrina E. Boco

Discipline: Plant Sciences

 

Abstract:

Brackenridgea foxworthyi (Elm.) Furtado (Ochnaceae) is a Philippine endemic nickel (Ni) hyperaccumulator plant with restricted distribution in the island of Palawan. In this study, the potential influence of leaf architecture on the metal uptake capacity of this plant growing in two ultramafic formations with different land-uses: Rio Tuba, Bataraza (with mining activity), and Sitio Magarwak, Puerto Princesa City (no mining). Leaf architecture analysis showed no significant difference (p-value=0.0667) between the leaf venation (semicraspedodromous) and blade classification (microphyll) between the two sites. However, Rio Tuba samples had narrower and longer leaf size (mean length=132.43 mm, mean width=33.20 mm) than Magarwak (mean length=104.07 mm, mean width=38.87 mm). Meanwhile, Rio Tuba samples showed higher Ni concentration in plant tissues compared to Magarwak. Futhermore, physicochemical properties of the soil in Magarwak showed optimal conditions for Ni hyperaccumulation, but in Rio Tuba the topsoil was thicker, which could explain the elevated Ni content present. In general, our results showed that variation in leaf architecture has no direct impact on the metal uptake capacity of B. foxworthyi due to the low variation of leaf area and venation between the two sites. Further efforts to elucidate the unique potential of the plant to hyperaccumulate metals are recommended to maximize the role of native hyperaccumulators for ecological restoration and conservation measures.



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