Glochidion merrillii is an endemic tree species of the Philippines which naturally occurs in primary forests, mossy forest, summit, and sub-montane forest in various provinces and localities from the islands of Luzon to Mindanao. It has a calculated extent of occurrence (EOO) of 217,652.366 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of at least 64 km². The number of locations is expected to be below 20. Its population size is currently not known due to lack of surveys and documentations made, a continuous decline is expected due to habitat threatening effects of urbanisation, logging operations, shifting agriculture and other unsustainable farming practices. Although having a relatively large distribution EOO, the species is still assessed globally as Near Threatened (NT) as it has an AOO value which is expected to still be within boundaries of threatened category under criterion B2 even taking into account that it could be more widespread than currently known, but the number of locations is above the thresholds. Being assessed as such, immediate and active conservation measures must be considered to prevent the species from being pushed into any threatened category in the future.

Glochidion merrillii is an endemic tree species of the Philippines which can be found in forests of Benguet, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Ifugao, Kalinga, Laguna, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Pampanga and Surigao del Norte (GBIF 2021; map incomplete). It usually occurs at an elevation of 1,380 to 2,400 m above sea level. It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of 217,652.366 km² and an area of occupancy (AOO) of at least 64 km² and it is continuously threatened by commodity-driven deforestation, illegal logging, shifting agriculture and urbanisation (GFW 2020).

There is no information on the population size of the species. However, a decline is suspected due to continuous loss of primary forests within its distribution range.

Glochidion merrillii is a small tree species with height ranging from two to 7.5 m (Robinson 1909, GBIF 2021). It can be naturally found in primary forests on sandy-loamy soil of its areas of occurrence, as well as in mossy forest, summit, and sub-montane forest at 1,380 to 2,400 m above sea level. There is no available information on the phenology of the species. Thus, further research, exploration and inventories are needed to further understand the species.

One of the main threats being faced by Glochidion merrillii is the continuous loss in the extent and quality of its natural habitat which is primarily induced by shifting agriculture, commodity-driven deforestation, urbanisation and illegal logging. This is supported by the GFW (2020) analysis where 58,957 hectares of tree cover were lost from the provinces of the species’ sites of occurrences from 2001 to 2020. Due to high statistics recorded, the decline in the remaining population is expected to continue.

Information on the trade and use of Glochidion merrillii is unknown but it has potential uses similar with other species belonging to the same genus. Most of the species of Glochidion are widely constituted with flavonoids and triterpenoid saponins. This genus is well known traditionally for its anti cancer, hypotensive, diuretic and other various properties (Sandhya et al. 2010).

The species is not listed in the Philippine Red List and therefore not protected by law against illegal collection or extraction from the wild (DENR-BMB 2017). However, the population of the species is protected in situ because of its presence in declared protected areas (PAs) such as Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Mt Pulag National Park, Mt. Data National Park, Upper Agno River Basin Resource Reserve, Mt. Isarog Natural Park and Northern Negros Natural Park. Additionally, the species is also located in key biodiversity areas (KBAs) such as the Babuyanes Islands, Mount Pulag National Park, Mount Isarog National Park and North Negros Natural Park. Though these KBAs are not officially protected by any implementing legislation, they are considered as top priority conservation areas in the country where site-scale conservation efforts would be the great means for species and habitat protections (FPE 2020). Aside from these, there are no known conservation actions intended specifically for the species. Thus, to ensure the continuous survival of the species, species-specific interventions and conservation actions are highly recommended.