The Northwestern University Biological Diversity Research Unit (NWU-BDRU) stands at the forefront of plant discovery and conservation in Northern Philippines, leading groundbreaking research that unveils the region`s rich botanical heritage. Through extensive fieldwork and scientific exploration, the team has contributed significantly to global biodiversity by discovering and describing new plant species previously unknown to science.

Among their remarkable discoveries in Ilocos Norte are:

Pyrostria triflora Arriola, Calaramo & Alejandro 2015 Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy 22: 56  DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v22i1.23868 

Cleisostoma iloconense Calaramo, Cootes & Palting 2016 Die Orchidee, Taxon. Mitt. 2(8): 2 

Nepenthes aenigma H.Nuytemans, W.Suarez & Calaramo 2016 Plants (Basel) 5(2)-23: 2 

Robiquetia ilocosnortensis Calaramo, Cootes & K.Gaspar  2018 Orchideen Journal 25(1): 41 

Dendrobium elineae (Calaramo, Naive, Cootes, H.Nuytemans & J.C.Martyr) Naive & Calaramo 2019  Lankesteriana 19: 21 

Robiquetia roycimatui Calaramo, Cootes, Pugal & Davalos 2019 OrchideenJournal  26: 79 

Thrixspermum nicolasiorum Calaramo, Cootes & Naive, 2018 Die Orchidee, Taxon. Mitt. 4(6): 44 

Begonia palemlemensis Calaramo, C.W.Lin & Rubite 2019 Phytotaxa 407: 38  DOI https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.407.1.6 

Amorphophallus flammeus Calaramo, Batuyong, Bulawin & Alejandro 2022  Nordic Journal of Boatany  2022(6)-e03491: 6  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/njb.03491  

Begonia bessangpassensis  Calaramo, Rubite & C.W.Lin 2023. Phytotaxa 613: 172 https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.6 

Begonia tiradpessensis   Calaramo, Rubite & C.W.Lin 2023. Phytotaxa 613: 172  https://doi.org/10.11646/phytotaxa.613.2.6 

These 11 discoveries underscore Northwestern University`s role as a leader in botanical research, reinforcing the importance of conservation, habitat protection, and species documentation. As threats to plant diversity intensify, NWU-BDRU remains committed to unveiling, understanding, and safeguarding the unique flora of Northern Luzon for future generations.