Sleman, Yogyakarta, (Antara) - Following the eruption in 2010, researchers of the Forest Ecosystem Management in Mount Merapi National Parks are seeking new orchid species on the volcano, Dhani Suryawan, a ranger, stated here, Saturday.
"Several orchids that bloomed on the southern slopes have been recorded earlier, but we want to identify other new flower species that may also have flourished in other steep areas," Suryawan remarked in Sleman District, Yogyakarta Province.
According to Suryawan, some endemic orchid species appear to grow in the uphill Cangkringan Sub-district.
He further explained that although some flowers have been recorded during the last expedition, the rangers still face difficulties in identifying the orchid species.
"In order to identify the species, we have to wait until the flowers bloom," he pointed out.
After Mount Merapi erupted in 2010, the national park's rangers had launched several surveys to re-identify orchid species remaining in the region.
"The number of flower species has increased from 51 to 65 (orchids)," he stated.
The rangers, however, have not yet completed the documentation process, as before the eruption, the volcano was reportedly home to some 97 orchid species.
Suryawan further explained that during the expedition, the extreme terrain posed a major hindrance to the researchers and rangers.
"Most orchids not only flourished in the uphill area but also on a steep slope and other extreme terrains," he reiterated.
Of the over 30 thousand orchids discovered in the wild, some five thousand were found in Indonesia, a researcher of the Gajah Mada University said in its official website.
Despite the diverse species, the researchers have yet to optimally explore the flowers, the university's Dean of Biology Faculty, Budi S. Daryono. remarked last year.
According to the dean, orchids offer several benefits apart from having an aesthetic appeal.
"Orchids have huge potential in terms of serving as raw materials for herbal and traditional medications," he said as quoted from the website.
Hence, in order to increase awareness regarding the flower species, the Indonesian Orchids Society, supported by the Yogyakarta provincial government, hosted a "Vanda Tricolor Var Suavis Lindley" orchid festival.
Being held on Sept 6-10 in the Tiri Orchids Parks, the festival aims to increase the people's knowledge and awareness of the Vanda Tricolor orchid.(*)
