TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian forests are home to a wealth of endemic plants that are rarely found today. This is due to Indonesia's lush rainforests, which are rich in biodiversity.
The tropical climate means that rare plants thrive in Indonesia. However, many of Indonesia's rare plants are declining in number, making them vulnerable to extinction. The extinction of different types of flora in Indonesia is caused by many factors, one of which is land conversion.
Here are some rare plants that can be found in Indonesia:
- Rafflesia
The Rafflesia arnoldii plant is no stranger to Indonesians. Citing the Jungle in Bukit Lawang, this corpse flower has been described as the largest flower in the world, found in the rainforests of Sumatra and Kalimantan. It can grow up to three feet in diameter. One of the characteristics of this flower is its distinctive smell, which is similar to rotting flesh. The Rafflesia flower was discovered by Governor-General Thomas Stamford Raffles, who was also a botanist.
- Titan Arum
Another type of corpse flower that can be found in Indonesia is the titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). This is also a gigantic flower discovered in Sumatra. It can grow to 10 feet high and releases an odor similar to rotting flesh. This foul odor serves to attract carrion beetles and insects that help pollinate the flower.
Titan arum is considered a rare and endangered species due to habitat loss in the forests of Sumatra. Although classified as a corpse flower like the Rafflesia flower, this flower has a different shape and grows upwards, while the Rafflesia blooms more in a circle diagram.
- Sandalwood
Citing Indo Indians, sandalwood or Santalum album is known as a rare tree in Indonesia. Locally known as cendana, the tree has many benefits for the forest ecosystem. High-quality wood is created from the cendana tree. Its fragrant aroma makes this tree often used as a raw material for making perfumes, spices, incense, aromatherapy, and keris daggers. Therefore, cendana is often hunted and its numbers are decreasing in its natural habitat.
- Shorea
The Shorea plant locally known as Tengkawang is an endemic plant of Indonesia from Kalimantan. The plant is often used in cooking. The fruit is mainly used to make oil for traditional medicine and as a flavoring in cooking. The seeds can also be used as a nutritious food for forest animals.
- Damar tree
Another rare plant in Indonesia is the Damar plant or Agathis dammara. This tree can reach a height of up to 60 meters. Damar is widespread in the Papua region. This rare plant is used to make copal, one of the basic ingredients for varnish or paper lacquer. Due to illegal logging, damar is difficult to find in the wild.
- Aglaonema Pictum Tricolor
Aglaonema pictum tricolor is a rare plant found in the forests of Java. It is used as an ornamental plant for its striking pink and green patterned leaves. Aglaonema pictum tricolor is a rare and endangered species due to the loss of its original habitat.
Savina Rizky Hamida
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