BI ODI VE RS I TAS ISSN: 1412-033X

Volume 22, Number 3, March 2021 E-ISSN: 2085-4722

Pages: 1580-1591 DOI: 10.13057/biodiv/d220365

Diversity, conservation, potential uses, and alien species of lowland

plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra, Indonesia

HIRMAS F. PUTRA1, WENDY A. MUSTAQIM2,3,♥

1
Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Pertanian Bogor. Jl. Meranti, IPB University Campus Dramaga, Bogor,
16680, West Java, Indonesia
2
Department of Biology, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Samudra. Jl. Prof. Dr. Syarief Thayeb, Meurandeh, Langsa 24416, Aceh, Indonesia.
Tel.: +62-641-426534, Fax.: +62-641-426534, ♥email: wendyachmmadm@gmail.com; wamustaqim@unsam.ac.id
3
Botany Division, Generasi Biologi Indonesia Foundation. Jl. Swadaya Barat No. 4, Semampir, Cerme, Gresik 61171, East Java, Indonesia

Manuscript received: 24 February 2021. Revision accepted: 28 February 2021.

Abstract. Putra HF, Mustaqim WA. 2021. Diversity, conservation, potential uses, and alien species of lowland plants of Batang Toru,
Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 1580-1591. A recent field inventory of lowland Sumatran plant diversity was carried out in two
close sites of forest patches in the Batang Toru area. These are Muara Upu Swamp Forest and Simulak Anjing Hill Forest. This study
aimed to investigate the species composition of two isolated lowland Sumatran forest patches on the west coast of the northern part of
the island. The total number of species recorded was 181 species with 131 species known from Simulak Anjing Hill Forest, 54 from
Muara Upu Swamp Forest, and only three species recorded from both sites. There are three species endemic to Sumatra, seven species
listed as threatened according to the IUCN Red List, one species protected by the Indonesian government, and two are important records
for Sumatra. Compared to the published literature, 88 species have been reported to have one or more uses, with 63 species have been
used as the source of medicines, 19 as sources of fibers, 18 as the source of vegetables, and several other uses. Sixteen alien species
were recorded including four species categorized as 100 world’s worst invasive species. It can be concluded that both areas are a home
for important lowland plants of Sumatra as indicated by the presence of threatened, endemic, or poorly documented species. Besides
that, there is also a need for concern about the presence of potential invasive alien species.

Keywords: alien plants, endemic, exploration, Sumatra, threatened plants

INTRODUCTION 1982). Many other plant groups have high diversity in

Sumatra, such as the beautiful forest floor dwellers
Sumatra is the westernmost and the third largest island Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) (Grey-Wilson 1989) and the
in Indonesia. This area is also a home for one of the most pitcher plant genus Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae) (Cheek and
diverse places on Earth. The tropical rainforest of Sumatra Jebb 2001).
has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage, namely The lowland ecosystem of Sumatra is among the most
the Gunung Leuser National Park, Kerinci Seblat National threatened ecosystems in the world. Loucks and Whitten
Park, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (UNESCO (2020) categorized the Sumatran Lowland Rain Forests as a
2020). The most prominent feature of this island is Bukit critical or endangered ecoregion, and several important
Barisan Mountains, formed by the collision between the factors contribute to the damage of the ecosystems, such as
Indian Ocean and Sundaland plate tectonics. This mountain fires, logging, and forest fires, that have become serious
complex stretches from the north to the south ends of the threats to the biodiversity in this area. Any remaining forest
island with various types of vegetation including the ecosystem in the lowland area of Sumatra becomes an
Indonesian highest volcanic summit of Mount Kerinci at important factor in its conservation as they may harbor
3850 m above sea level. The lowland parts of Sumatra also species threatened with extinction. These often present in
consist of many vegetation types including the highly- the form of fragmented and isolated landscapes within
threatened peat swamp forests that are mainly found in the large plantations.
coastal areas of the eastern side (Global Wetlands 2020). As a starting point to the future conservation efforts of
The biodiversity of Sumatra is exceptional both for lowland biodiversity of Sumatra, biodiversity inventories
animals and plants. For plants, this island possibly are needed to be conducted in poorly explored areas.
inhabited by as many as 8391 species with around 1891 or According to Laumonier et al. (2010), Muara Upu Swamp
22.5 percent of them are endemic (Middleton et al. 2019). Forest and Simulak Anjing Hill Forest are located in the
Many species are very flamboyant such as the giant vulnerable or endangered eco-floristic sectors. The Simulak
parasite Rafflesia (Susatya 2011), the tallest flower titan Anjing Hill is also home to endemic Thottea tapanuliensis
arum Amorphophallus titanum (Yuzammi et al. 2017), and (Mustaqim and Putra 2020a). In the study, we investigate
also home of many commercially important dipterocarp the plant diversity in both areas that represent the isolated
species such as Dipterocarpus, Hopea, and Shorea (Ashton fragments of the lowland forest of Sumatra.
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1581

MATERIALS AND METHODS plants. The identification was carried out in the field by the
authors, and several species were also vouchered when the
Study area field identification was doubtful. The specimens were then
The study was conducted in Muara Upu swamp forest identified in the Laboratory of Ecology and Plant
(MUSF; 142.88 ha) and Simulak Anjing Hills forest Resources, Department of Biology, IPB University and
(SAHF; 73.12 ha) in Batang Toru, Tapanuli Selatan later deposited to the Herbarium Bogoriense (BO),
Regency, North Sumatra Province (Figure 1). Both forests Research Center for Biology, Indonesian Institute of
are located in the concession area of palm oil plantations Sciences, and Herbarium Bandungense (FIPIA), Bandung
named PT. Perkebunan Nusantara III (or PTPN III) and Institute of Technology (FIPIA) (abbreviations follow
have been declared as High Conservation Value (HCV) Thiers 2020-continuously updated). The species name
areas. Each MUSF and SAHF represent a different type of followed Plants of the World Online databases (POWO
vegetation (Figure 2). MUSF consists of degraded lowland 2020). Conservation statuses of the species were acquired
peat swamp forest and riverine forest on alluvial at an from the IUCN Red List (IUCN 2020).
elevation from 21 to 22 m above sea level. A part of them
has been converted into road and agricultural fields. Some
commonly observed plants include Gluta wallichii, RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Nauclea officinalis, shrubby Pandanus helicopus, and
Licuala paludosa. Meanwhile, SAHF consists of lowland The total number of plant species recorded was 182,
isolated hill forest, typically belonging to the lowland with 131 species recorded from SAHF and 54 from MUSF
mixed dipterocarp forest at an elevation from 70 to 250 m (Table 1). There is a high difference in the floristic
above sea level. There are two major types of vegetation in composition, only three species were recorded from both
SHAF, the less disturbed forest and the secondary areas, meaning that 51 species were restricted to MUSF
vegetation. The less-disturbed forest areas have dense and 128 in SAHF. The largest plant family in SAHF was
forest with large trees such as Dryobalanops sumatrensis, Dipterocarpaceae (12 spp.), followed by Euphorbiaceae (10
while in the secondary vegetations, shrub and small trees spp.), Fabaceae, and Rubiaceae (each with 7 spp.), while in
are the most important, like Macaranga heynei or MUSF, the three largest plant families were Moraceae,
Endospermum diadenum, which are quite common, in this Poaceae, and Rubiaceae (each with 4 spp.), followed by
area. Arecaceae (3 spp.) (Figure 3). The striking difference may
be in the presence of 12 dipterocarp species in SAHF,
Data collection while there is none from MUSF (Table 1). Macaranga is
The botanical survey was conducted using an the most diverse genus with six species and is the common
exploratory method (Rugayah et al. 2004) in Muara Upu genus in the secondary vegetations in SAHF.
and Simulak Anjing Hills in January 2020 to all vascular

Figure 1. Map of study area in Muara Upu Swamp Forest and Simulak Anjing Hill Forest, Batang Toru, Tapanuli Selatan Regency,
North Sumatra Province
1582 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 22 (3): 1580-1591, March 2021

A B

C D

Figure 2. Vegetations in Muara Upu Swamp Forest (A-B) and Simulak Anjing Hill Forest (C-D), Batang Toru, Tapanuli Selatan
Regency, North Sumatra Province

Plant life-form species listed as Vulnerable (VU) named Aquilaria hirta

In terms of plant life form, MUSF is largely composed (Thymelaeaceae) (Figure 5A), Cantleya corniculata
of herbaceous plant species, while the SAHF is largely (Stemonuraceae) (Figure 5B), and two from
composed of trees. This situation has been expected since Dipterocarpaceae named Dipterocarpus crinitus (Figure
the plant species in less disturbed part of forest, like in 5C), and Dryobalanops sumatrensis (Figure 5D). One
SAHF, will have a higher percentage of trees compared to dipterocarp species named Vatica perakensis (Figure 5E) is
the degraded forest, like MUSF (Figure 4). The low the only species listed as Endangered (EN). The most
percentage of herbaceous plants in SAHF is a characteristic threatened species are the commercial timber trees Shorea
of the lowland rain forest of Sumatra (Loucks and Whitten johorensis from the Dipterocarpaceae family (Figure 5F),
2020) and could be an indication that past disturbance level and one pitcher plant species Nepenthes sumatrana
in the forested landscape of SAHF was considered low. (Nepenthaceae) (Figure 5G), which is also an endemic of
Sumatra (Clarke 2001, 2014; Cheek and Jebb 2001). The
Conservation status and protected species presence of those threatened plant species indicates the
The conservation status of more than a half number of importance of SAHF as a conservation site, and therefore,
the total species has not been evaluated by the IUCN designation as a High Conservation Value site should be
(2020) with 97 species or 58.43%. This study will be an maintained as long as possible. Nepenthes sumatrana or in
important component in the future assessment of all those Indonesian known as ‘kantung semar sayap alur’ is
species. MUSF and SAHF are very specific sites and any protected by the Indonesian Government under the
data could contribute to the distribution records. The Peraturan Pemerintah No. 106/2018. The species was
records can be used to calculate the Extent of Occurrence recorded in SAHF on early regenerate vegetation. Only two
(EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO), which are pitcher plants were observed during the study, and are
important components in conservation status evaluation grown on the steep slope. Another species of pitcher plant,
(IUCN 2012; IUCNSPC 2019). The other 69 species which N. ampullaria, is also present near the population of N.
have been evaluated consist of 59 species or 85.51% Least sumatrana.
Concern (LC), three Near Threatened (NT), and seven
species belong to threatened categories. There are four
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1583

Noteworthy plant records species in Sumatra needs to be confirmed. In Simulak

Acrotrema in North Sumatra confirmed Anjing, many individuals of plants belonging to this
Acrotrema is a genus belonging to the Dilleniaceae species have been found (specimen Mustaqim et al. 2335).
family. This genus consists of around 10 species of mostly They belong to Acrotrema due to some characteristics:
Asian mainland inhabitants and only one species extends to perennial herbs, amplexicaul petiole, numerous free
Malesia. The only Acrotrema species in Malesia is stamens, and the flat receptacle. Further examinations of
Acrotrema costatum Jack (Hoogland 1951) (Figs. 5H-I). the literature have shown that morphological characteristics
Hoogland (1951) mentioned the distribution in North are matched to the A. costatum (Hoogland 1951).
Sumatra as questionable as he wrote ‘N. Sumatra?’. Therefore, it can be concluded that the distribution of A.
Therefore, it can be concluded that the occurrence of this costatum in Sumatra is now confirmed.

Figure 3. Number of species in largest plant families in both areas (A), Muara Upu Swamp Forest (B), and Simulak Anjing H ill Forest
(C), , Batang Toru, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Figure 4. Percentage of life-form of plant species in Muara Upu Swamp Forest and Simulak Anjing Hill Forest, Batang Toru, North
Sumatra, Indonesia
1584 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 22 (3): 1580-1591, March 2021

Table 1. List of plant species from Muara Upu and Simulak Anjing Hills, Batang Toru, North Sumatra, Indonesia

Family/species MU SA LF IUCN IDN

Acrostichaceae
Acrostichum aureum L. √ H LC
Anacardiaceae
Gluta wallichii (Hook.f.) Ding Hou √ T NE
Mangifera griffithiiHook.f. √ T NE
Anisophylleaceae
Anisophyllea disticha (Jack) Baill. √ S LC
Annonaceae
Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook.f. & Thomson √ T LC
Dasymaschalon dasymaschalum (Blume) I.M.Turner √ S NE
Goniothalamus macrophyllus (Blume) Zoll. √ S NE
Maasia glauca (Hassk.) Mols, Kessler & Rogstad √ T NE
Popowia pisocarpa (Blume) Endl. ex Walp. √ S NE
Xylopia cf. oxyantha (Hook.f. & Thomson) Hook.f. & Thomson √ T -
Apocynaceae
Alstonia spatulata Blume √ T LC
Dyera costulata (Miq.) Hook.f. √ T LC
Vincetoxicum flexuosum (R.Br.) Kuntze √ C NE
Araceae
Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott √ H LC
Homalomena humilis (Jack) Hook.f. √ H NE
Pothos scandens L. √ C NE
Rhaphidophora korthalsii Schott √ C NE
Schismatoglottis calyptrata (Roxb.) Zoll. & Moritzi √ H NE
Scindapsus pictus Hassk. √ C NE
Syngonium podophyllum Schott √ C NE
Arecaceae
Calamus diepenhorstii Miq. √ C NE
Calamus melanochaetes (Blume) Miq. √ C NE
Licuala paludosa Griff. √ SL NE
Oncosperma horridum (Griff.) Scheff. √ TL NE
Oncosperma tigillarium (Jack) Ridl. √ TL NE
Aristolochiaceae
Thottea tapanuliensis Mustaqim √ H NE
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium nidus L. √ H NE
Blechnum orientale L. √ H NE
Stenochlaena palustris (Burm.f.) Bedd. √ H NE
Asteraceae
Mikania micrantha Kunth. √ H -
Begoniaceae
Begonia isoptera Dryand. ex Sm. √ H NE
Burseraceae
Dacryodes rugosa (Blume) H.J.Lam √ T LC
Cannabaceae
Gironniera nervosa Planch. √ T NE
Trema cannabinum Lour. √ T LC
Celastraceae
Lophopetalum javanicum (Zoll.) Turcz. √ T LC
Clusiaceae
Garcinia nervosa (Miq.) Miq. √ T NE
Commelinaceae
Commelina diffusa Zoll. ex C.B.Clarke √ H LC
Connaraceae
Cnestis palala (Lour.) Merr. √ C NE
Costaceae
Cheilocostus speciosus (J.Koenig) C.D.Specht √ H LC
Cucurbitaceae
Melothriapendula L. √ C -
Trichosanthes costata Blume √ C NE
Cyperaceae
Cyperus iria L. √ H NE
Scleria sumatrensis Retz. √ H NE
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1585

Dilleniaceae
Acrotrema costatum Jack √ H NE
Dillenia indica L. √ T LC
Tetracera arborescens Jack √ C NE
Tetracera indica (Christm. & Panz.) Merr. √ C NE
Dipterocarpaceae
Cotylelobium melanoxylon (Hook.f.) Pierre √ T LC
Dipterocarpus caudatus subsp. penangianus (Foxw.) P.S.Ashton √ T NE
Dipterocarpus costulatus Slooten √ T NT
Dipterocarpus crinitus Dyer √ T VU
Dryobalanops sumatrensis (J.F.Gmel.) Kosterm. √ T VU
Hopea cf. sangal Korth √ T -
Shorea acuminata Dyer √ T LC
Shorea johorensis Foxw. √ T CR
Shorea leprosula Miq. √ T NT
Shorea multiflora (burck) Symington √ T LC
Vatica perakensis King √ T EN
Vatica cf. venulosa subsp. simalurensis (Slooten) Ashton √ T -
Elaeocarpaceae
Elaeocarpus mastersii King √ √ T LC
Euphorbiaceae
Aporosa nitida Merr. √ S NE
Endospermum diadenum (MIq.) Airy Shaw √ T LC
Homalanthus populneus (Geiseler) Pax √ T LC
Macaranga bancana (Miq.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Macaranga heynei I.M.Johnst. √ T NE
Macaranga hypoleuca (Rchb.f. & Zoll.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Macaranga gigantea (Rchb.f. & Zoll.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Macaranga lowii King. ex Hook.f. √ T LC
Macaranga motleyana (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Pimelodendron griffithianum (Müll.Arg.) Benth. ex Hook.f. √ T NE
Fabaceae
Dalbergia rostrata Hassk. √ C NE
Derris trifoliata Lour. √ C NE
Dialium indum L. √ T NE
Mimosa pigra L. √ S -
Mucuna bracteata DC. ex Kurz √ C LC
Phanera semibifida (Roxb.) Benth. √ C NE
Paraderris elliptica (Wall.) Adema √ C NE
Senegalia kekapur (I.C.Nielsen) Maslin, Seigler, Ebinger √ C NE
Spatholobus ferrugineus (Zoll. &Moritzi) Benth. √ C NE
Fagaceae
Castanopsis lucida (Nees) Soepadmo √ T NE
Lithocarpus conocarpus (Oudem.) Rehder √ T NE
Flagellariaceae
Flagellaria indica L. √ C NE
Gleicheniaceae
Dicranopteris linearis (Burm.f.) Underw. √ H LC
Gnetaceae
Gnetum cuspidatum Blume √ C LC
Hanguanaceae
Hanguana anthelminthica (Blume ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Masam. √ H LC
Lamiaceae
Vitex pinnata L. √ T LC
Vitex gamosepala Griff. √ S LC
Lauraceae
Actinodaphne glabra Blume √ T LC
Cinnamomum iners (Reinw. ex Nees & T.Nees) Blume √ T LC
Dehaasia cuneata (Blume) Blume √ T NE
Lygodiaceae
Lygodiummicrophyllum (Cav.) R.Br. √ H LC
Lythraceae
Cuphea carthagenensis (Jacq.) J.F.Macbr. √ H -
Malvaceae
Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn. √ T -
Durio griffithii (Mast.) Bakh. √ T NE
Grewia laevigata Vahl √ S LC
1586 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 22 (3): 1580-1591, March 2021

Pterospermum javanicum Jungh. √ T LC

Scaphium macropodum (Miq.) Beumée ex K.Heyne √ T LC
Sterculia rubiginosa Vent. √ T NE
Urena lobata L. √ S LC
Melastomataceae
Clidemia hirta (L.) D.Don √ S -
Dissochaeta conica (Bakh.f.) Clausing √ C NE
Macrolenes tuberculata Karton. √ C NE
Melastoma malabathricum L. √ √ S NE
Melastoma penicillatum Naudin √ S NE
Menispermaceae
Arcangelisia flava (L.) Merr. √ C NE
Cyclea barbata Miers √ C NE
Moraceae
Artocarpus elasticus Reinw. ex Blume √ T LC
Ficus deltoidea Jack √ S NE
Ficus fistulosa Reinw. ex Blume √ T LC
Ficus grossularioides var. stenoloba Corner √ T LC
Ficus hispida L.f. √ T LC
Ficus microcarpa L.f. √ T LC
Ficus padana Burm.f. √ T LC
Ficus punctata Thunb. √ C NE
Myristicaceae
Horsfieldia grandis (Hook.f.) Warb. √ T LC
Horsfieldia irya (Gaertn.) Warb. √ T LC
Horsfieldia wallichii (Hook.f. & Thomson) Warb. √ T LC
Knema furfuracea (Hook.f. & Thomson) Warb. √ T LC
Knema laurina (Blume) Warb. √ T NE
Myristica iners Blume √ T LC
Myristica maxima Warb. √ T LC
Myrtaceae
Rhodamnia cinerea Jack √ T LC
Syzygiumpapillosum (Duthie) Merr. & L.M.Perry √ T NE
Syzygium cf. pycnanthum Merr. & L.M.Perry √ T -
Syzygium zeylanicum (L.) DC. √ T NE
Nepenthaceae
Nepenthes ampullaria Jack √ C LC
Nepenthes gracilis Korth. √ √ C LC
Nepenthes mirabilis (Lour.) Druce √ C LC
Nepenthes sumatrana(Miq.) Beck ex Tamin & M.Hotta √ C CR √
Nephrolepidaceae
Nephrolepis hirsutula (Forst.) C.Presl √ H NE
Nymphaeaceae
Nymphaea alba L. √ H LC
Onagraceae
Ludwigia peruviana (L.) H.Hara √ H -
Ludwigia hyssopifolia (G.Don) Exell √ H -
Pandanaceae
Pandanus helicopus Kurz ex Miq. √ SL NE
Pentaphylacaceae
Adinandra dumosa Jack √ T LC
Phyllanthaceae
Antidesma stipulare Blume √ T LC
Baccaurea parviflora (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Baccaurea sumatrana (Miq.) Müll.Arg. √ T NE
Breynia macrantha (Hassk.) Chakrab. & N.P.Balakr. √ S LC
Breynia racemosa (Blume) Müll.Arg. √ S LC
Glochidion superbum Baill. √ T NE
Phyllanthus lutescens (Blume) Müll.Arg. √ T LC
Poaceae
Ottochloa nodosa (Kunth) Dandy √ H NE
Paspalum conjugatum P.J.Bergius √ H -
Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin. ex Steud. √ H LC
Urochloa mutica (Forssk.) T.Q.Nguyen √ H LC
Polygalaceae
Polygala paniculata L. √ H -
Polypodiaceae
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1587

Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J.Sm. √ H NE

Pontederiaceae
Pontederia crassipes Mart. √ H -
Primulaceae
Ardisia complanata Wall. √ S NE
Embelia lampani Scheff. √ C NE
Embelia ribes Burm.f. √ C NE
Maesa sumatrana Scheff. √ C NE
Rhamnaceae
Ziziphus cf. elegans Wall. √ C -
Rhizophoraceae
Carallia brachiata (Lour.)Merr. √ S NE
Rubiaceae
Hynophytum formicarum Jack √ H NE
Ixora congesta Roxb. √ S NE
Ixora javanica (Blume) DC. √ S LC
Mitragyna speciosa Korth. √ T NE
Mussaenda frondosa L. √ S NE
Nauclea officinalis (Pierre ex Pit.) Merr. & Chun √ T NE
Neolamarckia cadamba (Roxb.) Bosser √ T NE
Porterandia anisophylla (Jack ex Roxb.) Ridl. √ T NE
Psychotria viridiflora Reinw. ex Blume √ S NE
Uncaria acida (W.Hunter) Roxb. √ C NE
Uncaria cordata (Lour.) Merr. √ C NE
Rutaceae
Luvunga sarmentosa (Blume) Kurz √ C NE
Melicope accedens (Blume) T.G.Hartley √ T NE
Selaginellaceae
Selaginella willdenowii (Desv.) Baker √ H NE
Simaroubaceae
Eurycoma longifolia Jack √ S NE
Smilacaceae
Smilax setosa Miq. √ C NE
Stemonuraceae
Cantleya corniculata (Becc.) R.A.Howard √ T VU
Theaceae
Eurya nitida Korth. √ S NE
Schima wallichii (DC.) Korth. √ T LC
Thelypteridaceae
Thelypteris decora (Domin.) C.F.Reed √ H NE
Thymelaeaceae
Aquilaria hirta Ridl. √ T VU
Vitaceae
Ampelocissus thyrsiflora (Blume) Planch. √ C NE
Cayratia trifolia (L.) Mabb. & J.Wen √ C NE
Leea indica (Burm.f.) Merr. √ S LC
Pterisanthes cissoides Blume √ C NE
Tetrastigma dichotomum (Miq.) Planch. √ C NE
Zingiberaceae
Globba aurantiaca Miq. √ H NT
Note: MU: Muara Upu; SA: Simulak Anjing; LF: Life form; IUCN: Conservation status according to IUCN Red List where only native
species are examined and any alien species are indicated with ‘-‘, species with uncertain identification (shown by cf.) also given as ‘-‘;
IDN: Protection by Indonesian Government No. 106/2018; C: H: herbs; S: shrub; SL: shrub-like; T: tree; TL: tree-like; NE: Not
Evaluated; LC: Least Concern; NT: Near Threatened; VU: Vulnerable; EN: Endangered; CR: Critically Endangered

Dipterocarpus caudatus subsp. Penangianus in mainland publication has been made. This time, the sterile specimens
Sumatra collected from the Simulak Anjing have been identified as
Dipterocarpus caudatus contains two subspecies. The the subsp. penangianus, which is additional information for
first is subsp. caudatus, a Philippines endemic, while the the geographical distribution of the species in mainland
second is a more widespread subspecies, named subsp. Sumatra. Before study, subsp. penangianus in Sumatra is
penangianus. The recently collected specimens (specimens formally known from two islands outside the mainland, i.e.
Mustaqim et al. 2309&2315) from Simulak Anjing Karimun and Mursala (Ashton 1978, 1982). Recent
belonged to the subsp. penangianus, which differs from explorations showed that the subspecies still exist in
subsp. caudatus with 1.5–2.5 cm long petiole and applanate Mursala Island, growing together with the recently
leaves (Figure 5J). Randi Agusti (2020 pers. comm.), stated rediscovered Dipterocarpus cinereus (Kusuma et al. 2013).
that the subsp. penangianus has also been found in some Mursala is one of the closest islands to Simulak Anjing
areas of Sumatra, although, unfortunately, no formal and, therefore, the knowledge of this species in Mursala-
1588 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 22 (3): 1580-1591, March 2021

Simulak Anjing is now improved. The second is shrubby Thottea tapanuliensis

(Aristolochiaceae) (Figure 5K) which was also recently
Sumatra endemic plant species described in 2020. The species is endemic to Sumatra, and
Three species in SAHF are endemic to Sumatra. The is only known from SAHF with the preliminary IUCN Red
first one is Nepenthes sumatrana (Nepenthaceae) that has List conservation status is Critically Endangered
only been found in North to West Sumatra (Cheek and Jebb (Mustaqim and Putra 2020). The third is Macrolenes
2001). The species inhabits the lowland habitat up to 1500 tuberculata (Melastomataceae) (Figure 5L), a woody
m asl. (Cheek and Jebb 2001; Fadillah et al. 2014) and climber that has been described in 2019.
listed under IUCN (2020) as Critically Endangered species.

A B C D

E F G H

I J K L

Figure 5. Selected plant species from Muara Upu Swamp Forest and Simulak Anjing Hill Forests, Batang Toru, North Sumatra,
Indonesia: the Vulnerable species Aquilaria hirta (A), Cantleya corniculata (B), Dipterocarpus crinitus (C), and Dryobalanops
sumatrensis (D); Endangered Vatica perakensis (E); Critically Endangered Shorea johorensis (F) and, also protected and endemic,
Nepenthes sumatrana (G); distribution confirmed in Sumatra for Acrotrema costatum (H-I); record for mainland Sumatra for
Dipterocapus penangianus subsp. penangianus (J); as well as other two endemics Thottea tapanuliensis (K) and Macrolenes tuberculata (L)
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1589

Table 2. Checklist of main NTFPs of plants according to PROSEA for the species in Muara Upu and Simulak Anjing, Batang Toru,
North Sumatra, Indonesia

Number of
Uses categories List of species
species
Medicinal and poisonous 63 Acrostichum aureum, Acrotrema costatum, Alstonia spatulata, Anisophyllea disticha,
plants Arcangelisia flava, Artocarpus elasticus, Asplenium nidus, Blechnum orientale, Breynia
racemosa, Chromolaena odorata, Carallia brachiata, Cayratia trifolia, Cheilocostus
speciosus, Cinnamomum iners, Cnestis palala, Colocasia esculenta, Commelina
diffusa, Cyclea barbata, Cyperus iria, Derris trifoliata, Dicranopteris linearis, Dillenia
indica, Dryobalanops sumatrensis, Elaeocarpus mastersii, Embelia ribes,
Endospermum diadenum, Eurycoma longifolia, Ficus deltoidea, Ficus hispida, Ficus
microcarpa, Ficus padana, Flagellaria indica, Gluta wallichii, Goniothalamus
macrophyllus, Homalanthus populneus, Hydnophytum formicarum, Knema furfuracea,
Leea indica, Lophopetalum javanicum, Macaranga bancana, Macaranga gigantea,
Macaranga hypoleuca, Melastoma malabathricum, Mitragyna speciosa, Oncosperma
horridum, Paraderris elliptica, Phanera semibifida, Pothos scandens, Psychotria
viridiflora, Pterisanthes cissoides, Rhaphidophora korthalsii, Rhodamnia cinerea,
Scaphium macropodum, Schima wallichii, Scleria sumatrensis, Spatholobus
ferrugineus, Stenochlaena palustris, Tetracera indica, Trichosanthes costata, Uncaria
acida, Urena lobata, and Vitex pinnata
Fiber plants 19 Acrostichum aureum, Artocarpus elasticus, Cnestis palala, Dicranopteris linearis,
Ficus hispida, Ficus padana, Ficus indica, Homalanthus populneus, Oncosperma
horridum, Oncosperma tigillarium, Pandanus helicopus, Pothos scandens, Scaphium
macropodum, Spatholobus ferrugineus, Stenochlaena palustris, Tetracera indica,
Thelypteris decora, and Urena Lobata
Vegetables 18 Acrostichum aureum, Artocarpus elasticus, Blechnum orientale, Commelina diffusa,
Colocasia esculenta, Cheilocostus speciosus, Cayratia trifolia, Embelia ribes, Ficus
fistulosa, Ficus grossularioides var. stenoloba, Leea indica, Melastoma
malabathricum, Oncosperma tigillarium, Schismatoglottis calyptrata, Stenochlaena
palustris, Trema cannabinum, Trichosanthes costata, and Uncaria acida
Edible fruits and nuts 14 Artocarpus elasticus, Antidesma stipulare, Baccaurea parviflora, Castanopsis lucida,
Dialium indum, Dryobalanops sumatrensis, Embelia ribes, Ficus hispida, Ficus
padana, Leea indica, Mangifera griffithii, Pimelodendron griffithianum, Rhodamnia
cinerea, and Trichosanthes costata
Dye and tannin producing 12 Arcangelisia flava, Castanopsis lucida, Dillenia indica, Durio griffithii, Dialium indum,
plants Ficus padana, Macaranga gigantea, Melastoma malabathricum, Psychotria viridiflora,
Rhodamnia cinerea, Syzygium zeylanicum, and Urena lobata
Ornamental 11 Acrostichum aureum, Asplenium nidus, Carallia brachiata, Dillenia indica, Ficus
deltoidea, Ixora congesta, Melastoma malabathricum, Oncosperma horridum,
Oncosperma tigillarium, Schismatoglottis calyptrata, and Stenochlaena palustris
Forages 7 Colocasia esculenta, Derris trifoliata, Ficus hispida, Ficus padana, Ottochloa
nodosa,Schima wallichii, and Urochloa mutica
Fern and fern allies 6 Acrostichum aureum Asplenium nidus, Blechnum orientale, Dicranopteris linearis,
Drynaria quercifolia, Stenochlaena palustris, and Thelypteris decora
Auxiliary plants 3 Adinandra dumosa Ficus hispida, and Schimawallichii
Essential-oil plants 2 Cananga odorata and Dipterocarpus crinitus
Plants producing exudates 2 Dyera costulata and Shorea acuminata
Plants yielding non-seed 2 Colocasia esculenta and Cheilocostus speciosus
carbohydrates
Rattans 1 Calamus melanochaetes
Spices 1 Cinnamomum iners
Vegetable oils and fats 1 Shorea leprosula
1590 B I O D I V E R S I T A S 22 (3): 1580-1591, March 2021

Alien plants
There are 16 species of alien plants recorded in this
study. Four of them belong to 100 of the most invasive
species, i.e. Pontederia crassipes or water hyacinth (Figure
6), Clidemia hirta, or simply known as clidemia, Mimosa
pigra or bashful plant, and Mikania micrantha or American
rope (Lowe et al. 2000; GISD 2020). The presence of P.
crassipes was recorded from MUSF, forming a dense
floating population competing with the local species like
Hanguana anthelminthica and Thelypteris decora. In the
MUSF area, the potentially invasive climbing aroids
Syngonium podophylllum has also been recorded. The
species has been reported to grow as abundant naturalized
species in Southeast Asia, i.e. Singapore (Chong et al.
2010), and Java (Mustaqim and Nisyawati 2016), while a
Figure 6. Flowering Pontederia crassipes in Muara Upu Swamp new record of Melothria pendula (Cucurbitaceae) for
Forest, Batang Toru, North Sumatra
Sumatra has also been published recently based on
collections from MUSF (Mustaqim and Putra 2020b).
Meanwhile, in the SAHF, a small population of M. pigra,
one of the 100 most invasive species (Lowe et al. 2000),
In Sumatra, the species is only known from Aceh and
has been recorded in the margin of the remaining forest.
North Sumatra Provinces, with the previously
The presence of alien plant species in the peat swamps
southernmost record coming from Subulussalam, Aceh
of North Sumatra’s west coast has previously been
Province (Kartonagoro et al. 2019), positioned around 150
documented. In the Tripa peat swamp forest, Arongan,
km north from SAHF. The presence of those three
Aceh Barat Regency, several species of alien plants were
Sumatran endemic species increases the value of SAHF in
also recorded, including Lantana camara (Verbenaceae),
the future conservation of lowland Sumatran rainforest
alongside Piper aduncum (Piperaceae), Sphagneticola
diversity.
trilobata (Asteraceae), and several herbs or shrubs (Djufri
and Samingan 2013). Lantana camara also belongs to the
Potential Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) of the
100 most invasive species in the world (GISD 2020), and it
native species
has been found either from the disturbed or undisturbed
Many species in both areas are economically important,
peat swamp forests (Djufri and Samingan 2013). The
especially by the presence of many dipterocarp species
results of this study confirmed that it is important to note
which have valuable timber (Ashton 1982). However, this
the uniqueness of peat swamp forests (Giesen et al. 2018),
use should be avoided for SAHF or MUSF as they are quite
alien species are still able to enter and establish themselves
small in area size. Therefore, numerous good alternatives
in peat swamp forests. The study observed that many alien
can be acquired from the NTFPs such as medicine.
species are limited to the disturbed areas of MUSF, except
Dryobalanops sumatrensis is also known as barus tree,
for the climbing S. podophyllum, a species native to
stands among the most historically important species, and
tropical America (Croat 1981).
became an important commodity since the Dutch East Indie
The presence of non-native alien species should be
era. Besides the quality of the wood, the species was once
taken into consideration for all related stakeholders, where
the most important source of camphor which has excellent
the eradication should be started as soon as possible. For
medicinal properties to cure many diseases like asthma,
the SAHF, the study showed a very low spread of non-
cough, stomach or liver pain, rheumatism, etc. (Lee et al.
native species which supports the previous statement that
1993). Besides that, Eurycoma longifolia or tongkat ali or
alien species would not be able to enter more less disturbed
known also as pasak bumi, is a very important medicinal
vegetations (van Steenis 1972). However, a recent study
plant, besides the long history of its value as a source of
found that this statement could not be applied to all species
aphrodisiac. It has been proved that the chemical
because many alien species could also become invasive in
constituents of the species have excellent properties to
a shaded forest. Although this latter statement was based on
improve human fertility (Mustaqim et al. 2020). These are
the study in temperate forests, the possibility of the same
two examples of the popular NTFPs yielding species. All
situation could happen in a tropical rainforest, so that this
species are checked using the PROSEA database
should also be taken into consideration (Dyderski and
(PROSEA 2020; see also Wulijarni-Soetjipto and del
Jagodziński 2018).
Rosario 2003) and listed according to the main uses. The
In conclusion, SAHF is a home for several endemic,
results of the comparisons showed that 88 species have
poorly known, and/or threatened plant species, of which
either single or multiple uses. Most of the plants have been
one of them just only been described recently. There are
used as medicine and source of poison with 63 species,
also two noteworthy records in Sumatra for Acrotrema
followed by fiber with 19 species, vegetables with 18
costatum and Dipterocarpus penangianus subsp.
species, and edible fruit or nuts with 14 species (Table 2).
penangianus. Compared to the published literature, many
native plant species have valuable NTFPs that can be
 PUTRA & MUSTAQIM – Lowland plants of Batang Toru, Sumatra 1591

optimized for a sustainable conservation effort, with most IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List categories and criteria, version 3.1, 2nd ed.
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