Botanical garden works to save endangered fern

Retno K. Djojo , Contributor , Bedugul, Bali | Thu, 09/04/2008 10:17 AM | Surfing Bali

Researchers at the Eka Karsa botanical garden in Bedugul, Bali, are running a race against time to save an endemic plant from extinction.

The plant, a fern locally known as pakis ata (Lygodium circinnatum), previously had limited economic value. But large areas across Bali have become increasingly depleted of this fern species ever since it caught the attention of handicraft makers.

A spokesperson for the botanical garden said that the Tabanan, Negara and Karang Asem regencies, which previously had large areas covered with the fern, were now almost devoid of the plant due to excessive exploitation.

Pakis ata, which grows well in Bali's dry mountainous areas, was once only popular among members of the Bali Aga clan who used the plant's root base to make traditional warfare shields.

Several years ago, however, creative handicraft producers came up with the idea of using the tenacious plant to make baskets, handbags, place mats, lamp shades, fruit bowls and a host of other attractive items.

More durable and flexible than other plant varieties, the fern can be easily woven into attractive shapes and is a good substitute for processed rattan.

Researchers alarmed by the new trend in the souvenir business responded by opening a nursery at the Eka Karsa botanical garden to cultivate the endangered fern.

A nursery spokesperson said the plants would be distributed across Bali for cultivation. Proper methods to harvest the vines, the spokesperson added, would be extended to farmers who join the Pakis Ata conservation program, which aims to prevent the extinction of the plant.

The Eka Karsa botanical garden, covering an area of 157.5 hectares, is located at an altitude of 1400 meters above sea level and houses an extensive collection of plants and trees.

Established in 1959, the garden is dedicated to the conservation of plants endemic to dry mountainous areas in the eastern parts of the country.

Visitors to the garden can enjoy its tranquil and scenic green panorama while taking in the fresh mountain air.

The garden's impressive Bali-statue gate, adorned with ornate decorations, opens up to a wide vista of green rolling hills dotted by colorful flower beds.

Public and school holidays see a peak in the number of visitors to the garden. With 182 employees, including some 20 researchers, the garden's upkeep and research work demands an annual budget of Rp 2.3 billion.

The rare Bulbophyllum lobii echinolobium orchid in brown and yellow colors originates from the dry, mountainous areas of Sulawesi. (JP/Retno K. Djojo)

Its collection of rare plants include a great variety of species with medicinal properties, such as the purnajiwa plant (Euchrest horsfieldii). The fruits of this plant can be used to cure tuberculosis and migraines. Another interesting plant, the Ginkgo biloba Linn, is capable of enhancing memory.

In support of the community's need for certain plants for religious ceremonies, the garden's collection includes several Majegau trees. The leaves of this rare tree, which has become the garden's signature plant, is often used as a substitute for incense.

The garden's extensive collection of orchids includes a rare beauty -- the Bulbophyllum lobii echinolobium -- that originates from the dry mountainous areas of Sulawesi. The flower, in shades of brown and yellow, is carefully guarded to protect it from commercial use.

The garden's new cross-breed of the Begonia, dubbed the Begonia Tuti Siregar, has been submitted to an international agency for plant patency in the U.S.

Plant growers will be able to reap financial benefits if the new species -- a cross-breed between the Begonia Listada and Begonia Acetosan -- is acknowledged by the agency for its uniqueness.

Furthermore, Tuti Siregar, a researcher at the botanical garden, would become the first Indonesian botanist to receive international acclaim for her work.

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