In the high-altitude volcanic mountain areas of Indonesia, there is an endemic plant species capable of surviving in volcanic soil. The plant is the Javanese edelweiss, also known as Anaphalis javanica.
Taxonomically, the Javanese edelweiss is a member of the Asteraceae family that grows in the form of a shrub or small tree.
Its presence is not evenly distributed across all regions, but rather restricted to alpine zone ecosystems in several volcanic mountain areas in Indonesia.
Pioneer Vegetation at High Altitudes of Volcanic Mountain Areas
The Javanese edelweiss is an endemic plant inhabiting the mountainous regions of Java Island, Indonesia. Populations of the plant are found growing in savanna ecosystems and mountainous areas above an elevation of 1,600 meters above sea level.
In the high-altitude regions, the Javanese edelweiss acts as a pioneer species. The plant is capable of living and developing on young volcanic soil as well as barren areas with minimal coverage from other vegetation.
In the wild, the Javanese edelweiss primarily grows in groups (clustered distribution) within secondary forest land cover and open fields. Most of its population is found in volcanic mountain areas under the management of national parks, while the remainder grows scattered on mountain slopes outside conservation areas.
Morphological Characteristics of the Plant
The Javanese edelweiss grows as a shrub or small tree that can reach a height of up to 8 meters with a thickening main stem. However, most individuals found in natural habitats take the form of shrubs with a height of 1 to 3 meters.
The root system of the Javanese edelweiss consists of a short-branched taproot. Its root structure develops horizontally in the shallow soil layer to anchor into rock crevices on slope areas.
The leaves of the plant are narrow lanceolate in shape and arranged densely along the twigs. The surface of the leaves is covered with a layer of fine, silvery-white hairs.
The flowers of the Javanese edelweiss are small and arranged in flower heads (capitula) grouped at the tips of the stems. The composite structure consists of white bracts surrounding the tubular florets in the center.
Pollination of the tubular florets produces small, pappus-type seeds. The seeds feature hair-like structures that are carried by wind currents to surrounding slope areas.
Extinction Risk Due to Slow Growth Process
The Javanese edelweiss requires years to grow from seed to bloom in the wild. The growth takes place in mountainous volcanic soil where nutrient availability is limited.
In its natural habitat, the presence of the Javanese edelweiss is vulnerable to illegal picking by mountain climbers. The illegal picking threatens its survival because the growth process of the plant takes a long time.
Protection of the Javanese Edelweiss
To protect the plant from the threat of extinction, the Government of Indonesia has designated the Javanese edelweiss as a protected flora. The regulation is specified under Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P.106 of 2018.
Legally, the prohibition against damaging vegetation in conservation areas is governed by Law No. 5 of 1990. Any activity that alters the integrity of the core zone of a national park, including picking or damaging the Javanese edelweiss in its natural habitat, constitutes a criminal offense.
The penal sanctions for actions damaging the integrity of national park areas are stipulated under Article 40 of Law No. 5 of 1990. Violations of the provisions carry a maximum prison sentence of 10 years and a maximum fine of IDR 200,000,000.00 (approximately USD 12,500).
Currently, the protection and monitoring of Javanese edelweiss populations are focused within conservation areas, such as Mount Gede Pangrango National Park and Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park.
Reference:
Susanto, D., Nugroho, P., & Numata, S. (2024). Traditional ecological knowledge for monitoring Anaphalis javanica (DC.) Sch.Bip. (Asteraceae) in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Indonesia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 196(8), Article 717. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-024-12869-8
