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The traditional knowledge of sunggau rafters for Apis dorsata nesting is essential for livelihood and forest conservation. We determine the plant species needed to support the conservation of A. dorsata in Belitung Islands, Indonesia, by investigating the distribution of the sunggau in the three types of forests, the traditional knowledge regarding the plant species used for sunggau, and the vegetation structure of forests in which the sunggau is installed. Distribution of sunggau were explored on heath, swamp heath, and mangrove forests. We conducted a vegetation survey in those forests and an ethnobotanical survey by interviewing bee farmers regarding the plants used for sunggau and other uses. We found 95 sunggau distributed in the heath, swamp heath, and mangrove forest. Based on interviews, we recorded 65 plant species for sunggau and six other uses, including bee forages. Calophyllum sp., Cryptocarya sp., Melaleuca cajuputi, and Syzygium urceolatum are the most important plants according to bee farmers. The last two species dominate all forests, except mangroves, which are dominated by Lumnitzera littorea, according to vegetation surveys. However, the availability of several plants for sunggau is declining. Therefore, the conservation of A. dorsata needs the sustainability of sunggau and bee forage plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species Monoon longipetalum Nurmawati from Sumatra is described and illustrated. It is notable for its long lanceolate and narrowed petals to ca. 9 x 0.8 cm, velutinous on upper surface more densely to the apex of the inner and outer petals; large fusiform to 7 x 2 cm and bluntly apiculated monocarps. This new species is similar to Monoon anomalum (Becc.) B. Xue & R.M.K. Saunders and Monoon borneense (H. Okada) B. Xue & R.M.K Saunders for having fusiform monocarp and long bluntly apiculate, but differ in having fewer clustered flowers in each inflorescence, lanceolate, longer, and narrower petals. Detailed morphological characters together with illustrations and diagnostic comparisons are presented. A key to the 19 species of Monoon in Sumatra is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anatomical structures may vary among the species of Nepenthes. Therefore, the anatomical characters apparently could be used for supporting the morphological characters in identifying species. This study aimed to seek a valuable anatomical character for identifying and defining five species of Nepenthes occur in Bangka Belitung Islands. Samples of leaves, pitchers and its lids of Nepenthes gracilis, Nepenthes mirabilis, Nepenthes ampullaria, Nepenthes rafflesiana, and Nepenthes reinwardtiana were collected and prepared for paradermal and transverse section of microscope slides. The results showed that the anatomical characters of the leaves, pitchers and lids from these five species of Nepenthes could be used for differentiating five species Nepenthes observed. The absence of nectary gland at the abaxial of pitcher lids of N. gracilis and N. ampullaria separate them from others species. The leaf epidermis of these two species have different cell wall. The length of lunate cells at the inner surface of upper half pitchers are comparable for identifying the pitchers of N. mirabilis from those of N. reinwardtiana. The presence of crystal at the parenchymal tissue of pitcher differentiate N. rafflesiana from the four others. In this research, the identification key for Nepenthes from Bangka Belitung Islands based on the anatomical character was presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dischidia is an epiphytic plant, it is used as herbal medicine and has economic value. In addition, Dischidia also has an ecological function. Moreover, some species of Dischidia are endemic in a particular region. Various forest types occur in Bangka Island serves as natural habitat for this epiphytic plant. This research aimed to record the diversity and abundance of Dischidia and analyze those environmental factors which affect its abundance. The research was conducted in August - September 2016 at Bangka Island. Three plots of 20 × 20 m? were placed with a minimum interval of 50 m in the habitat where Dischidia are found. The species diversity and abundance of Dischidia as well as abiotic factors such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, wind speed, and altitude were recorded in these plots. The vegetation structure was analyzed based on index of diversity, index of dominancy and index of evenness. Data on the environmental condition and abundance of Dischidia were then analyzed using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) method with Canoco 4.5 software. Five species of Dischidia were found in Bangka Island that are Dischidia bengalensis, Dischidia imbricate, Dischidia nummularia, Dischidia rafflesiana, and Dischidia hirsute. Dischidia is found in 14 species of host plants. D. imbricate (23 individual plants) occurred in the heath forest at Pejem showed the highest abundance. Epiphytic fern plants, the Asplenium nidus (27 individual plants), was the dominant epiphytes found in the host tree of Dischidia The CCA showed that light intensity, temperature and humidity influenced the abundance of Dischidia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tom Java (Indigofera tinctoria L.) has been used widely as for blue-dyeing of woven cloth and batik in Indonesia. This study aims to map the diversity of I. tinctoria in Indonesia based on morphological characters of 74 specimens collected from Java, Madura and Flores Islands. Phenotypic clustering groups were analysed using simple matching coefficients (SM) and Unweighted Pair-Group Method with Arithmetic Averaging (UPGMA). The principal component of analysis is to group the populations of tom java into two clusters. Morphological characters of Flores species differ from Java and Madura on petiole length, colour of fresh leaf, the length of lobe at calyx, the gland of flower flag, the size of wing, the absence of trichome on anther tip, the glabrous surface of pistil stalk, pod length, the remnant in the pods, reddish brown of mature pods, number of seeds, and the darker coloring on fabrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]