User:Gmagsino1/Flora of the Philippines

The flora of the Philippines boasts a diverse array of plant species given its location in the great Malasian flora. The Malasian Phytogeographic zone is considered to be one of the most important centers for plant diversity because of the multitude and variance of species occupying that zone.

The broad lowland and hill rain forests of the Philippines, which are mostly gone today, were dominated by at least 45 species of dipterocarps. These massive trees were abundant to up to 1,000 meters above sea level. Considering the dipterocarps originated in India and Malaysia, the existence of the trees in the archipelago demonstrates a connection between the Philippines and western Malaysia.

note: my own edits are in the brackets