INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL

OF

CONSERVATION SCIENCE
ISSN: 2067-533X Volume 11, Issue 1, January-March 2020: 117-124 www.ijcs.uaic.ro

TYPES OF EPIPHYTIC ORCHIDS AND HOST PLANTS ON

UNGARAN MOUNTAIN LIMBANGAN KENDAL CENTRAL JAVA
AND ITS POTENTIAL AS ORCHID CONSERVATION AREA

Endah Rita SULISTYA DEWI*, Ary SUSATYO NUGROHO, Maria ULFAH

Departement of Mathematics, Sciences and Information Technology, University of PGRI Semarang, Indonesia,
Jl. Sidodadi Timur No. 24 Semarang Indonesia 50125

Abstract

Orchidacea is a family of flower plants that have many species. Estimated has around 15,000 -
20,000 species. Orchids can grow not only in the tropics and sub-tropics but also grow at
various heights. In addition, orchids are also known to grow as epiphytes as well as in soil,
rocks and swamps and all are called terrestrial orchids. The largest orchid distribution is
found in tropical rainforests. The purpose of this study was to determine the types of epiphytic
orchids and host plants at Ungaran mountain Limbangan Kendal, as well as their potential as
an orchid conservation area. This research is a qualitative descriptive study, with data
collection by purposive sampling. From the results of the study obtained 10 types of epiphytic
orchids from 7 genera. The most common host species are Ficus. Ungaran mountain
Limbangan Kendal has the potential as an orchid conservation area.

Keywords: Epiphytic Orchid; Host Plant; Ungaran mountain

Introduction

Reaching 4,000 species, orchidaceae is a plant family that has the most genera of
species. For woody plants, Dipterocarpaceae family has 386 species, Myrtaceae (Eugenia) and
Moraceae (Ficus) family has 500 species and Ericaceae family has 737 species, including 287
species of Rhododendrom and 239 species of Naccinium [1].
Orchids are very diverse flowers belonging to the Orchidaceae family [2]. The beauty of
the flower shape and its wide distribution cause orchids to become a popular plant. However,
the existence of orchids is often threatened with extinction due to the narrowness of the land.
The land becomes narrow because it is widely used for settlements, plantations and natural
damage. The benefits of natural orchids themselves are as ornamental plants, with a high selling
value. Moreover, wild orchids in India is highly used as medicinal plant [3]. Epiphytic orchids
are growing on other plants but are not parasites, because these orchids only live on the trunk,
branches and branches of trees that are either alive or dead. Orchids belonging to this type are
Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Vanda and Cattleya [4].
The Ungaran mountain forest area characterized by hills and valleys is a natural habitat
for a variety of rare flora. One of them is included in the orchid-anggrekan tribe (Orchidaceae).
Orchid plants naturally live on trees and tree branches. Trees are the most basic need for orchid
life. Host trees are one of the basic needs to get good light and air circulation for orchids [5].
Trees on the North Slope of Ungaran Mountain become epiphytic living places for orchids.

*
Corresponding author: endahrita@yahoo.co.id
E.R. SULISTYA DEWI et al.

Conservation of natural resources today is more directed towards biodiversity

conservation. This is because biodiversity is now on the verge of extinction. According to [6]
endangered species need to be saved based on reason, aesthetics, economy and ecosystem
stability.

Research methods

This research was carried out in the northern slopes of Ungaran Mountain forest at an
altitude of 500 to 1,700 meters above sea level. Administrative locations are included in the
District of Limbangan, Kendal Regency, Central Java. The collection of orchid data and
environmental conditions is carried out directly in the research location. This research is a
qualitative descriptive study. The method used in primary data collection is the Transect Belt
method. Belt transects are placed in three research stations with different heights, namely at
altitudes of 500 - 900 meters, 901 - 1,300 meters and of 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea level.
For the analysis of orchid data was made according to the Shannon Wiener Diversity
Index (H ') while the analysis of environmental conditions was carried out qualitatively.
Shannon-Wiener Species Diversity (H ') Index.
The Shannon-Wiener Species Diversity indexed is calculated according to the following
relation:
H’ = -∑ ni/N log ni/N [1]

where: H’ = Shannon-Winner diversity index; ni = Many i (individual) species; N = Total

number of individuals
The magnitude of the species diversity index according to Shannon-Wiener is defined as
follows: H '> 3 shows that species diversity is abundant; 1≤ H’≤3 shows that the diversity of
species is abundantly moderate; H '<1 shows that abundant species diversity is low
Analysis of Orchid Habitat Characteristics
Analysis of orchid habitat characteristics is qualitatively carried out. The analysis was
carried out by carefully describing the environmental conditions of the habitat in the field. The
environmental factors analyzed were bouth biotic and abiotic factors in the orchid habitat
environment.
Analysis of the Distribution of Orchids
Analysis of orchid distribution was carried out in a qualitative descriptive manner based
on the places where orchids were found. To help find out the position where the orchids are
found, GPS was used.

Results and Discussion

Types of Epiphytic Orchids found in Ungaran Mountain Limbangan Kendal, Central Java
Based on the results of the research that has been done, the type of epiphytic orchid
found on Ungaran Mountain Limbangan Kendal in Central Java are presented in Table 1.
Table 1. Types of Epiphytic Orchid in Ungaran Mountain Limbangan Kendal, Central Java

No Species
1 Dendrobium crumenatum
2 Dendrobium tetrodon
3 Dendrobium linearifolium
4 Dendrobium mutabile
5 Agrostofilum bicuspidate
6 Bulbofilum lepidum
7 Vanda tricolor
8 Eria speciosa
9 Coelogyne speciosa
10 Cymbidium sp

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Table 2. Distribution of Epiphytic Orchids at Ungaran Mountain, Limbangan Kendal, Central Java

Altitude (MASL)
No Species
500 - 900 901 – 1300 1301 - 1700
1. Dendrobium crumenatum v v -
2. Dendrobium tetrodon v - -
3. Dendrobium linearifolium - v -
4. Dendrobium mutabile - v -
5. Agrostofilum bicuspidata - - v
6. Bulbofilum lepidum v - -
7. Vanda tricolor - - v
8. Eria speciosa - v -
9. Coelogyne speciosa - v -
10. Cymbidium sp v - -

The value of the Species Diversity Index (H ') and the category of the level of diversity
of orchid species from the three research stations are presented in Table 3.
Table 3. Epifit Orchid Orchid Diversity Index Value of the Station in
Ungaran Mountain Limbangan Kendal, Central Java

Research Altitute (MASL) Species Diversity Index

Type of Diversity
Station (H’)
Station I 500..900 1,328 abundantly moderate
Station II 901…1300 1,216 abundantly moderate
Station III 1301…1700 0,705 Low

Distribution of orchids at Ungaran Mountain, Limbangan Kendal, Central Java

Ten types of epiphytic orchids found on Ungaran Mountain are distributed at different
heights. In general, each type of orchid is only found at a certain height. The abundance of each
type of orchid also varies. In general, the higher the place, the lower the abundance of orchids.
The complete distribution and abundance of Ungaran Mountain orchids are explained as
follows.
Altitude 500 - 900 MASL
Based on the research that has been done at an altitude of 500 - 900 meters above sea
level, there are four types of orchids found, namely Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium
tetrodon, Bulbofilum lepidum, and Cymbidium sp. Dendrobium crumenatum type dominates at
that height. The total number of individual orchids is 99 individuals. When compared to the
other species it is relatively the same, making the diversity index value at the first height lower
than the second height. According to [7], species diversity is influenced by the distribution or
distribution of individuals in each type, because a community is of many types but if the
individual distribution is not evenly distributed, the community has a low diversity of species.
The Shannon-Winner diversity index (H') obtained from an altitude of 500-900 meters above
sea level, which is 1,328. This value indicates that the level of diversity of orchids at altitudes of
500 - 900 meters above sea level is classified as moderate.
Regarding environmental factors, namely air temperature, air humidity, and light
intensity in Limbangan Gunung Resort Ungaran, Kendal Regency, the diversity index at an
altitude of 500 - 900 meters above sea level is the highest compared to other heights. If you see
the temperature at that height, it ranges from 24 - 26℃. And this altitude has humidity which
supports the survival of orchids, which ranges from 70 - 80%. As well as at the level of 500 -
900 meters above sea level the intensity of the light is enough because the penetration of
sunlight is enough and is not too obstructed by large trees. Therefore, environmental factors
have a very important contribution.

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According to [7], species diversity states a measure that describes the type variation of a
community that is influenced by the number of species and the relative abundance of each type.
A community is said to have a high species diversity if there are many species with a relatively
evenly distributed number of each species.
The altitude is 901 - 1,300 MASL
At an altitude of 901 - 1,300 meters above sea level, five types of epiphytic orchids were
found consisting of Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium linealifolium, Dendrobium
mutabile, Eria speciosa, and Coelogyne speciosa. The number of 50 is the total individual
orchids. From five types of orchids that exists, the most abundant type is Dendrobium
linearifolium.
The second most commen type is Dendrobium crumenatum because of excellent ability
to adapt in various environmental conditions compared to other types. This is evidenced by the
existence of this type at an altitude of 500 - 900 meters and 901 - 1,300 meters above sea level.
The Shannon-Winner diversity index (H ') is obtained at an altitude of 901 - 1,300 meters above
sea level which is equal to 1,216.
The diversity index value from 901 - 1,300 meters is still relatively moderate compared
to the 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea level. When viewed from the number of species and the
total number of individuals at an altitude of 901 - 1,300 meters, it is moderate compared to 500
- 900 meters and 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea level. Altitude of 901 - 1,300 meters above sea
level has a condition of environmental factors that are different from the previous height, with
temperatures of 22 - 24℃, 75 - 90% humidity and light intensity of 834 - 874lx. Humidity at
this height reaches 90%. Because at the time of retrieval of data at the same time as rain falls,
the environmental conditions are very humid. With such environmental factors, the orchids
found at this altitude are moderate if viewed from the diversity index.
The Shannon-Winner diversity index (H') at an altitude of 901 - 1,300 meters above sea
level is 1,216 which means it shows diversity at that altitude including moderate [7]. At this
level, orchids such as Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium mutabile, both types indicate that
the location should have moderate humidity levels and moderate temperatures, because of the
environmental conditions of the two types of orchids [8].
Supporting environmental conditions with temperature, light intensity, altitude, and high
humidity make Dendrobium mutabile, Dendrobium crumenatum, Eria speciosa, Coelogyne
speciosa, Denrobium linearifolium grow and reproduce well, as evidenced by the number of
species found Dendrobium, these types has a wide distribution of the nature of life clustered and
attached to one place [9].
Altitude of 1301 - 1,700 MASL
Orchid species found at an altitude of 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea level are two types.
The species found were Agrostofilum bicuspidata, and Vanda tricolor. The species
Agrostofilum bicuspidata is the largest compared to other species. The number of species of
Agrostofilum bicuspidata is because the environmental conditions are only in accordance with
this type and can support life at this altitude. There are several factors that affect the life of
orchids, namely air temperature, air humidity, and high enough light intensity that makes the
species can live and breed well. The altitude of 1301 - 1,700 meters above sea level has a
temperature that ranges from 19-21℃, with air temperatures as large as this type of medium
orchid that is capable of living.
According to [8] orchids can live optimally at temperatures of 13 - 30℃. With the lack
of supporting environmental factors, because the temperature and humidity of the air are too
high, not all orchids can live at that height. Orchids are plants that can live and develop well in
high humidity and low air temperatures [1]. At altitude of 500 - 900 meters and altitude of 901 -
1,300 meters above sea level, the type of Dendrobium crumenatum is always in the highest
number but not at altitude of 1301 - 1,700 meters above sea level. At this altitude there are no
types of Dendrobium crumenatum, Dendrobium tetrodon, Denrobium linearifolium,

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Dendrobium mutabile, Bulbofilum lepidum, Eria speciosa, Coelogyne speciosa, and

Cymbidium. This indicates that these species include orchids that live in warm or temperate
areas, so that at the height of 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea level, these types are not found.
But the difference is the influence of different environmental factors. The difference in the
number of species can be caused by differences in the influence of altitude and differences in
environmental conditions [10-13].
The Shannon-Winner diversity index (H ') obtained is 1,301 - 1,700 meters above sea
level at 0.705. This means that the diversity index value is low and the environmental
conditions of orchids in difficult conditions. Because there are influential human factors, the use
of land by residents to grow tea and hunting orchids is influential. If you find the prima donna
of Ungaran Mountain orchids, namely Vanda tricolor, without thinking about the impact of
sustainability, all are looted without remaining. It also affects the diversity of orchids and their
abundance.
Based on the results of the study, several types of epiphytic orchids found were
described in figure 1.

Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Divisio : Spermathophyta
Classis : Liliopsida
Order : Orchidales
Family : Orchidaceae
Genus : Dendrobium
Species : Dendrobium crumenatum

Fig. 1. Epiphytic orchids - Dendrobium crumenatum

An epiphytic orchid, the sympodial stem growth system, the shape of the stem varies
greatly. The leaves are in various shapes and sizes. Compound flowers usually come out from
the axillary leaves, flowers 1 or many, varying from small to large, the lateral petals are
triangular, the base is attached to the extension of the base of the colomn to form spurs, the
crown is smaller or larger than the petals, lips notched 3, short colomn, pollinia 4 without stalk
[1]. Dendrobium comes from the word "dendro" which means tree and "bios" which means life
[11]. This orchid is the most abundant orchid on Ungaran Mountain and is found at altitudes
between 500 to 1,300 meters above sea level (Figs. 2-4).

Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Divisio : Spermathophyta
Classis : Liliopsida
Order : Orchidales
Family : Orchidaceae
Genus : Dendrobium
Species : Dendrobium linearifolium

Fig. 2. Epiphytic orchids - Dendrobium linearifolium

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The epiphytic orchid, herb, has ±41cm overall height, round rod, ±40cm long and ±2cm
diameter, slippery surface. The leaves are lanceolate, green, interspersed, ±5.5cm long and
±0.5cm wide, smooth surface, flat edge, thin, pointed tip and no leaf stalks. Flowering: arises
from leaf axillary, compound, consisting of 2 flowers. Flowers: yellow or white, the center of
the lips is red [1]. This orchid includes orchids which are relatively common in Ungaran
Mountain and are found at altitudes between 901 to 1,300 meters above sea level.

Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Divisio : Spermathophyta
Classis : Liliopsida
Order : Orchidales
Family : Orchidaceae
Genus : Agrostophyllum
Species : Agrostophyllum bicuspidatum

Fig. 3. Agrostophyllum bicuspidatum

Epiphytic orchids, herbs, stems grow very tightly on a short rhizoma. Trunk: flat, ±15-
40cm long and ±2.5mm in diameter, slippery surface. The leaves are oval-shaped, green,
±1.0cm long and ±4mm wide, smooth surface, flat edge, thin, split ends, no leaf stalks (sessile)
and located interspersed [1]. This orchid includes abundant orchids on Ungaran Mountain and is
found at altitudes between 1,301 to 1,700 meters above sea level.

Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Divisio : Spermathophyta
Classis : Liliopsida
Order : Orchidales
Family : Orchidaceae
Genus : Vanda
Species : Vanda tricolor

Fig. 4. Vanda tricolor

Epiphytic orchid, is herbaceous, pandan-shaped, has height of ±58cm. Lanset-shaped

leaves, green, ±40cm long and ±4cm wide, smooth, thin, pointed edges, flat edges and no leaf
stalks. The stem is green, covered with midrib, length ± 18 cm and diameter of ±2.5cm [1].
Whereas the most found host plants were Ficus. The plants are Ficus microcarpa (Preh
Tree), Ficus fistulosa (Wilodo Tree), Ficus benjamina, Ficus ribes reinw, and Ficus variegata
(Gondang Tree). Ficus is a genus of plants that naturally grows in the tropics with several living
species in the ugahari zone. Consisting of about 850 species, these types of Ficus can be in the
form of wood trees, shrubs, creeping plants and epiphytes and hemi-epiphyte in the family
Moraceae. In general, the types are known as fig, fig tree or fig wood.
Ara (Ficus) is mostly in form of green tropical plants all year round and inhabits various
ecological niches, but some species that fall leaves grow limited in areas outside the tropics and
in the highlands. Types of figs are identified by their unique inflorescence and typical
pollination pattern (en: pollination syndrome), which involves a kind of wasp from the family
Agaonidae to pollinate its closed flowers.

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Epiphytic orchids like to live on branch-free stems, this is because orchids will get
maximum light from the sun, while when in trees with tree vegetation with a dense canopy that
dominates the orchids will not get direct sunlight. In accordance with [4] and [14] opinion, if
orchids attach to the canopy in a tight canopy, the orchid will not get light, therefore the
dominant epiphytic orchids attach to the top.
This type of interaction between orchids and host trees is a type of commensalism
interaction. As explained by [12, 15, 16] that the interaction of commensalism is the interaction
between two or more species, one of which is lucky, while the other party is not affected.

Conclusion

Natural orchids on Ungaran Mountain Limbangan Kendal in Central Java obtained 10

types of epiphytic orchids from 7 genera.
The highest number of host plants is Ficus with species of Ficus microcarpa, Ficus
fistulosa, Ficus benjamina, Ficus ribes reinw and Ficus variegata. Ungaran Mountain
Limbangan Kendal has the potential as an orchid conservation area.

Acknowledgments

We sincerely thank the Ministry of Research, Technology and Higher Education, LPPM
Semarang PGRI University for facilitating research activities in 2018.

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______________________________________

Received: November 21, 2018

Accepted: February 12, 2019

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