Ragam Jenis Tumbuhan Epifit di Arboretum Universitas Sumatera Utara Kwala Bekala

Abstract

Epiphytic plants are plants that attach and grow on other plants to obtain sunlight, water, and absorb nutrients from the host tree's skin surface. The identification of epiphytes in various land covers needs to be carried out as a reference in determining appropriate epiphyte conservation efforts in the future, one of which needs to be done in the Arboretum USU. This research aims to identify the types of epiphytes, analyze their distribution patterns and density, as well as identify the types of host trees that are inhabited by epiphytes and the correlation between them. The data sources for this study are primary and secondary data, and the research method used is census method. The data obtained is analyzed using vegetation analysis and correlation analysis. The results show that there are 17 types of epiphytes from seven families with a total of 14.012 individuals. Pyrrosia piloselloides is the largest species with a total of 5549 individuals (39.60%). Meanwhile, Cymbidium finlasonianum is the species with the fewest individuals, only 6 (0.04%). The highest INP was found in Pyrrosia piloselloides at 45.48%. There are 38 types of trees that serve as hosts for epiphytes, and the Alstonia scholaris tree species is the most commonly inhabited host with a total of 4.212 individuals. The correlation analysis shows that two out of five parameters have negative values (bark thickness and branch angle), and three parameters have positive values (tree height, trunk diameter, and number of branches). All epiphyte species found have the potential for use as ornamental plants and medicinal herbs. The threat level for all epiphyte species in the USU Arboretum is currently unknown since they have not been listed on the IUCN Red List. This research also indicates that no invasive epiphyte species were found in the USU Arboretum.