PERANAN TANAMAN KANTONG SEMAR (Nepenthes spp) DALAM KEHIDUPAN MANUSIA DAN LINGKUNGANNYA

Tri Handayani (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional)

Gunung Djati Conference Series
Vol. 6 (2021): Seminar Nasional Biologi (SEMABIO) 6 Tahun 2021

Pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.) belong to the Nepenthaceae family. They mostly grow in sunny, nutrient-poor, wet environments, the lowlands up to the mountains. There are so many roles of pitcher plants in human being life and the environment. However, attention to pitcher plants are still lacking. The purpose of this study was to reveal the importance of pitcher plants for the life of human being and the environment. Using exploration, interviews, and literatures study, this research were conducted. Direct observations both in natural habitat and in the Bogor Botanical Gardens are carried out. The data obtained are then analyzed qualitatively by grouping similar data in each species of pitcher plant. The results showed that pitcher plants play a direct or indirect role in human life and the environment. In human life, pitcher plants are used for ornamental plants, rope-making, traditional medicine, cooking pot “lemang”, drinking water, and bouquets. The roles of pitcher plants in the environment are as a source of insect food, nectar source marker, fauna habitat, drinking water for monkeys, as a damaged land indicators, and nutrient contributor. Forest destruction and land conversion are the causes of population decline in nature and rarity of species. Therefore, in-situ and ex-situ conservation is important to preserve the pitcher plantu.