Potency and Ecological Habitat of Tabat Barito (Ficus deltoidea Jack) in Natural Forest, South Kalimantan

Abstract

Indonesia is rich of medicinal plants, one of which is Tabat Barito (Ficusdeltoidea Jack). The utilization of tabat barito is mainly for women's health and until now its use continues to increase, especially for traditional medicines, but efforts for cultivation have not been much done. The first step for cultivation is to understand the potential and ecological habitat of this plant. This research was conducted in South Kalimantan, with three villages as the object based on a survey conducted earlier, i.e. the Village of Hamak in Hulu Sungai Selatan District and the Village of Auh and Sungsum in Balangan District. Data was collected using a survey method to create a transect in the areas where Tabat Barito isfound. The results showed Tabat Barito potential in the two districts is quite rare, between 35 -50 clumps/ha. Tabat Barito was found in open areas in natural forest with elevation of 200-350 m above sea level, humidity of 36-54%, air temperature of 38-43 °C, soil temperature of 25 oC. vegetation found to be associated with Tabat Barito in Hamak Village is sasirihan (Ficussp.) and beringin (Ficusbenyamina), while in Auh and Sangsum Village is mali-mali (Leeaindica), beringin (F. benyamina), and jambun (Eugenia sp.). The genus of Ficus is the dominant vegetation and significant association with Tabat Barito. The diversity of vegetation, in the Hamak Village is 1.63 higher than Auh and Sungsum Village of 1.16. The common species found in the two districts that have Tabat Barito of 28.57%.

Keywords

• potency, diversity, habitat, association