The taxonomy, ecology, leaf anatomy and utilization of Freycinetia macrostachya, Pandanaceae in New Guinea

Abstract

Freycinetia macrostachya is a Pandanaceae species that was first published by Martelli in 1910. The species occur majority on Coastal Forest in both northern and southern bird's head Papua until East New Guinea. Many species of Freycinetia have only narrowest distribution and become dying on the open area, It is different to F. macrostachya. This species has ability to live both on primary and secondary forest. Purposed of the study were to obtain delimitation of species concepts, to know the phylogenetic classification of the species and relationship among other New Guinea Freycinetia species, to understanding more about ecological aspect and the ability to live on the extreme habitat, and to know about nutrient contain for developing food product from the species. Method of the study is descriptive method with revision of taxonomy as a step working and phylogenetic analysis using PAUP program with Sararanga as an out group, survey as a research technique to ecological study and it was followed by collected some specimen for anatomy leaf study. Analysis of nutrient content of F. macrostachya bracts, i.e. moisture content, ash, crude fat (soxhlet extraction), and protein (micro kjeldahl), while carbohydrates was determined using by difference method. The result showed that the species has three layers of epidermis tissue compare to other species like F. javanica that only has one layer. This is why the species could be living on the open forest. New Guinea Freycinetia have 4 groups below the genus, the first group name F. macrostachya are belonging to the imbricate leave species, now have about 40 species and the group name was given because of F. macrostachya is an older name of all species in the group. Phylogenetic analysis trees showed that this species become an old species among all New Guinea Freycinetia species. Analysis proximate of bracts show that the carbohydrate inside is about 77 %, it is meaning that we can make many food products from bracts.