Potential ornamental plants of primitive orchids Sumatra

Abstract

Hartini S. 2017. Potential ornamental plants of Sumatran primitive orchids. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 3: 319-322. This research was conducted from 1995 to 2004 in almost all provinces of Sumatra Island, to know the diversity of primitive orchids in Sumatra and its potential as an ornamental plant. Primitive orchids are intermediate plants between the families of Asparagales and Orchidaceae. Species of primitive orchids is included in the subfamily Apostasioideae, one of five subfamilies within Orchidaceae. Apostasioideae have only two genera, namely Neuwiedia and Apostasia. Almost all of the orchid subfamilies have a single stamen, but Apostasioideae has 2-3 abaxial stamens. Overall in Sumatra, there are 7 species of primitive orchids i.e., Apostasia odorata Blume, Apostasia wallichii R.Br., Apostasia nuda R.Br., Apostasia elliptica J.J.Sm., Neuwiedia zollingeri Rchb. (with 3 varieties namely var. zollingeri, javanica and singapureana), Neuwiedia veratrifolia Blume, and Neuwiedia griffithii Rchb. Species found in this study was Apostasia wallichii R.Br., Apostasia elliptica J.J.Sm., Neuwiedia veratrifolia Blume and Neuwiedia zollingeri Rchb. var. javanica de Vogel. The fourth of the species have beautiful habitus and inflorescence, so they were potentially as ornamental plants.