Papua flora has always had a very large diversity of plants. Even some of them can only live and grow in the land of Papua. The climate and weather in Papua are suitable for breeding certain species of plants, and even now, their existence is on the endangered list. Then what are these rare plants? Here is the list:
8 Rare Papua Flora
1. Black Papuan Orchid
Maybe friends have often seen orchid plants or maybe have them at home.
However, do you know? Orchids are one type of flower that has many types. One type of orchid, the black orchid, can only be found in Kalimantan and Papua.
Even though they are both named black orchids, the two still have differences. The Papuan black orchid has dark black flowers with brightly colored pistils.
This Papuan black orchid plant is rare and has an expensive selling value. In addition to black orchids, there is also an iron orchid, a rare Papua flora. Bright green petals with purple pistils characterize this orchid.
2. Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a type of flora that has the type Australis. There are more than 700 species of eucalyptus, most of which can be found in Australian territory.
However, eucalypts are also commonly found in the Papua region, considering that Papua is an area in Indonesia where many flora and fauna have the same characteristics as those in Australia.
Humans widely use eucalyptus, ranging from meeting the need for clothing to the need for boards (building).
3. Papua Flora of Matoa
Matoa is a Papua flora that is very identical to the Papua region. The Matoa tree is quite large, with an average height of 18 meters and a maximum average diameter of 100 cm.
Matoa trees generally bear fruit once a year. The fruit is widely used to maintain the health of the human body.
Matoa fruit is generally in Papua’s lowlands up to an elevation of around 1200 meters above sea level.
4. Buah Merah
Another typical Papuan plant is a red fruit. This red fruit can also be found in the Papua New Guinea region and is known as Marita.
While in Papua, red fruit is known as Kuansu. This red fruit grows wrapped in the skin in the form of thick green leaves.
This fruit has 30 types, but only four types are widely traded at high prices. One type of red fruit, red long, is also often used as herbal medicine.
5. Sarang Semut
Sarang Semut (Ant Nest) is a plant that grows attached to other plants. Papua is the only place you can find this ant nest on a tree trunk or branch. This plant has a brown color with several spines and broad leaves.
When this plant is split, it will look like an anthill. In addition, ants often use this plant as a place to live.
Although it looks like a parasite, the tubers of this plant have many health benefits. The tubers of this plant can be processed into drugs for cancer, hemorrhoids, stroke, ulcers, and blood circulation.
6. Musa Ingens Banana Tree
Bananas have many types, but they differ from the bananas in Papua. This fruit, with the Latin name Musa Ingens, is very large.
One banana in ripe condition has a length of about 18 cm with a diameter of 4 cm. The weight of this fruit can reach 60 kg, lo.
This Musa Ingens banana tree is common in the Arfak Mountains region. This plant usually has a height of up to 25 meters.
Even the midrib of this banana leaf has a length of 5 meters with a leaf width of 1 meter. Despite being very large, this fruit is rarely consumed because it tastes bland.
Cultivation of this plant is also rarely done because it is difficult to plant.
7. Bintangur
The fruit shape of Bintangur is round, slightly oval, with green skin color with the clustered type of fruit. You can not consume the fruit, and it does not mean this fruit is useless—quite the opposite. Bintangur fruit’s benefits are obtained after processing by being extracted into the oil. Papuans use Bintangur oil as an alternative to fuel oil for motorized vehicles.
Bintangur oil is only used when the fuel oil supply is scarce or too late to arrive. The stages to becoming oil start with drying the star fruit first. Drying aims to remove the oil from the fruit. The oil must be filtered to remove any items or residues that may still be present.
8. The Iron Orchid of Papua Flora
Papua is a place for several types of rare orchids worldwide. Besides black orchids, Papua has other florae that are no less beautiful than iron orchids. The hallmark of the iron orchid is that it has a bright green petal color, while the pistil is purple.
Just like black orchids, iron orchids are classified as rare orchids. Therefore the selling price of iron orchids is also very high. However, the cultivation of iron orchids is easier, so currently, many iron orchids are traded at a more affordable price.
Final Words
There are many types of plants that are useful for health and daily needs. We must preserve that rare Papua flora, so they don’t become extinct.
