Potential and distribution of Vitex sp and Peronema canescens jack as anti -COVID 19 plants in East Kalimantan Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Vitex sp and Peronema canescens Jack have long been known by local people in East Kalimantan Province as traditional medicines for fever, cold, diarrhea, hypertension and malaria. Now it is widely used as an alternative medicine for Covid 19 whose symptoms are fever and colds. Although the use of anti-Covid-19 drugs should be studied further, it is very important to know information on the potential and distribution of Vitex sp and Peronema canescens Jack in East Kalimantan. This research was conducted by collecting vegetation data from the seedling level to the tree level, using inventory method on research plots that were established scattered on secondary dryland forest cover in East Kalimantan with purposive sampling technique measuring 20 x 100 meters. The results showed there were 54 individuals of Vitex sp with 36 individuals at the tree level, 16 individuals at the pole level and 2 individuals at the sapling level. Based on density, the distribution of Vitex sp commonly found at the pole vegetation level. Peronema canescens Jack totaled 66 individuals with details of 29 individuals at the tree level, 25 individuals at the pole level, 7 individuals at the sapling level and there were 5 individuals at the seedling level. Based on density, the distribution of Peronema canescens Jack was found at the seedling and sapling levels. The stand volume of Vitex sp is 19.66 m3, with the average of potential volume of 3.61 m3 ha-1 and the highest potential is at the pole level. The stand volume of Peronema canescens Jack is 8.99 m3, with an average of potential volume of 3.22 m3 ha-1, and the highest potential is at the pole level at 5.26 m3 ha-1. The presence of Vitex sp and Peronema canescens Jack trees in secondary dryland forest in East Kalimantan can be a genetic resource for the cultivation of Vitex sp and Peronema canescens Jack trees as anti-COVID 19 plants in East Kalimantan.