Seaholly (Acanthus ilicifolius): Seed, germination and uses

Abstract

Irawanto R, Ariyanti EE, Hendrian R. 2015. Seaholly (Acanthus ilicifolius): Seed, germination and uses. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1: 1011-1018. Acanthus ilicifolius, commonly known as Sea Holly, is a species of shrubs or herbs, of the plant family Acanthaceae. This species is naturally found in wetland areas (wetland) at the mouth of river, as true mangrove vegetation. Because of habitat, sea holly is known as aquatic emergent plants. One of the interesting collections in Purwodadi botanical garden is the collection of aquatic plants. Different waste products containing in polluted water such as agricultural, domestic, industrial and even urban areas, can damage the aquatic ecosystem and disrupt human health. As this species is grown in wild habitat, so it has the potentiality to apply on environmental phytotechnology. Phytotechnology is a concept that addresses the role of plants as natural technology to solve environmental problems. With regarding this aspect, due to the dominance of sea holly in a mangrove area, it can be used an indicator of the extent of environmental pollution and damage in the mangrove ecosystem. Besides, A. ilicifolius is also known as an ornamental and medicinal plant. The chemical compounds in A. ilicifolius is used as neuralgia, analgesic, antiinflammation, antioxidant, anticancer, antileukemia, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, and insecticide. Therefore, research propagation (seeds and germination) of this species needs to be practiced to uncover its uses or potentiality in phytotechnology. Seeds of A. ilicifolius are orthodox-recalcitrant, germinate less than 1 week and germination phase is around 1 month. The growth of seedlings from seeds is slower than steam cuttings.