Pandans Diversity in Mts. Jayawijaya Papua Indonesia

Abstract

The research aims to describe the diversity of Pandans species from Mts. Jayawijaya, Papua Indonesia. Field survey was conducted from March to July 2013 in Mts. Jayawijaya. The exploration was focused to five villages namely Ekapame Village (elevation 2000-3200 m asl.),  Kemiri Village (elevation 2000-3700 m asl.), Tika Village (elevation 1800-2200 m asl.),  Papa Village (elevation about 1900-3500 m asl.), and Wosi Village (elevation 1700-2500 m dpl). The morphological analysis was done to measure roots, steam, leaves and fruit of Pandans. Result was analysis descriptively. Through the morphological characteristics, there are about 7 species of Pandans were found in Mts. Jayawijaya. Five species are recognized as Pandanus conoideus, Pandanus julianettii, Pandanus brosimos, Pandanus iwen, and Pandanus antaresensis. Two species potentially becomes new species, namely Pandanus sp. 1 (local people called Owadak)  and  Pandanus sp. 2 (local people called Woromo). There are three variant  within Pandanus julianettii, three variant within Pandanus iwen, and three variant within Pandanus brosimos. Pandanus sp. 1 (Owadak)  have three variant and  Pandanus sp.2 (Woromo) have three variant. The conservation of Pandans diversity in Papua is crucial.

Keywords: Pandanaceae, Biodiversity Papua, Indigenous knowledge