After talking about the Bali Island’s attractions, best accommodation, and even its traditional foods, now we want to approach with an information about a flora or the world of the plant that exists in Bali island. Now, if we want to talk about flora in Bali, is there any uniqueness of the plants in here? Or are they just usual things that don’t have benefits at all?
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If you’re a traveler or maybe backpacker who likes to walk basically everywhere around the city, you may notice that people in Bali use the jasmine every single day for praying. You must have realized that in some spots they put the offerings that contain flowers, including the jasmine, and also the addition, the liquid incense. Of course beside the jasmine, there are other types of plants in Bali that exist on this very island, such as :
1. The White Jasmine
As the first one, the white jasmine should be included inside the list of types of plants in Bali Indonesia. As we said in the information paragraph above, many people in Bali use the jasmine for their religious activities. The White Jasmine or Jasminum Sambac is one of the three Indonesian National Flowers.
This species of flower actually came from South Asia countries such as India, Sri Lanka, and also Myanmar. It was spread by the Hindu people who one trading in Indonesia a long time ago. Aside from being an Indonesian National Flower, The White Jasmine is also actually the national flower of Philippine. However, the flower can also be used as medicine for treating flu and diarrhea.
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2. Orchid
The next flower that you can find on the island of Bali is the Orchid or Phalaenopsis Amabilis. This flower actually has more than just one name. In Indonesia, people call it Anggrek Bulan or Puspa Pesona flower. Just like the jasmine, this orchid flower is also included as one of the three Indonesian National Flowers.
Aside from finding it on Bali island, you can also have the high chance to meet it in several countries such as Malaysia, Philippines, and Australia. This flower is living on the trees trunks and branches. So it can have a height of about 600 meters above the sea surface. However, this type of flower likes a not-too-bright sunlight.
3. Asoka
In the third place, we have the Asoka flower. The flower grows very well in Bali and Java island. For Indian people, this Asoka flower even considered as a sacred flower, so do the Budha people in Sri Lanka. However, the meaning of the name “Asoka” or Ahoka is without sadness in the Sanskrit language. We can say that this is the happy flower.
In Bali or the other countries where there are Hindu people, the Asoka tree is a sacred tree that should be respect and treated with care. In India, every month people do some kind of special ceremony for this tree. The tree itself is associated with Kamadeva, the God of Love who used this flower as one of his five charming flowers for showing love.
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4. Frangipani Flower
The next flower in the types of plants in Bali is Frangipani Flower. In Indonesia, it has the other nicknames such as Kamboja Flower and Jepun. In Bali, people call it with “Jepun” flower. Even though you can find the flower everywhere in Bali, that doesn’t mean that this flower is Balinese endemic flower. In the other areas besides Bali, people usually plant this flower on the cemetery. People in Bali plant it on some sacred or holy spots instead.
In the religious ceremony, this Frangipani flower is very important, especially for the offering. It’s actually originated in countries that located far away from Indonesia such as America, Mexico, and Caribia. Aside from being the ceremonial flower, Frangipani can also be used for house decorations. Some people even shaped the tree with different forms.
5. Kecemcem
Many people plant something to get the benefits that possibly come from the fruits or flowers. The perfect example for this is Kecemcem, that most Balinese people plant in their backyard. Not only the Frangipani that popular for its benefits for ceremonies, but people in Bali also getting the benefits from this fruit, even though not for the ceremonies.
People in Bali use this Kecemcem fruit as traditional medicine. In Java island, the name of this fruit is Kedondong, which is famous in the western part of the island, especially Jakarta. It can increase your appetite, curing sore throat, and also can be your body refresher. For the crucial benefit, the Kecemcem fruits can also be processed to be a natural medicine for a chronic cough. The fruit of Kecemcem contains a steroid, saponin, triterpenoid, and tannin that very useful as a natural antioxidant.
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6. Majegau
The next flora we want to talk about is Majegau. The Majegau is the endemic flora of Bali island. The tree is included in the Maleaceae family, and having a very strong trunk. That’s why many people use it mainly as a building material. The tree usually used for building sacred places like shrines or temples accessories. Aside from that, the people also make a handicraft from this Majegau tree.
In Indonesia, it has so many different names. For example, in Java island, people call it as Kraminan. The other nicknames of it are Cempaga, Cepaga, Kheuruh, Pingku, and many more. However, the tree can grow up to 40 meters high with the diameter of 1,2 m. The trunks also used in ceremonies. It has this very good smell when burnt.
7. Mandevilla
If you want to decorate your garden with vines, you can pick some of the best ones that also exist in Bali island. Of them all, here’s the Mandevilla plant. The Mandevilla is included inside vines plant family, having its white, pink, and red that look really beautiful. It’s also completed with very good smell. You can plant it on the walls or fences.
The benefit that you can get beside its colors and smell, is the treatment. Many people say that treating or taking care of Mandevilla flower is very easy. One of the reasons is because it really likes sunlight. So if you plant it outside, it can grow very well. It will look very great on your fences. But one thing to remember, you can’t plant it with soil. You need to switch to the other alternative, which is coconut charcoal. The reason is that the plant is not tolerant of the soil. Nematoda can give bad effects to it.
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8. Flame of Irian
With the glowing red color, the Flame or Irian will certainly amaze anyone who sees it. If you want to make your front side of your house or maybe your garden ceilings, you can use this plant for sure. Like you may know already, this plant is originated in Papua island, east side of Indonesia. In some islands like Java, Borneo, or Sumatra, this plant is still rarely seen.
But, even though the fact that it’s not that kind of popular plant, you can still plant in everywhere in Indonesia, because the tropical climate in this country is really suitable for it. This plant is perfect for your canopy if you have one. Also, the Flame of Irian will live a year long, making your canopy looks so wonderful every single day.
9. Petrea Volubilis
For the ninth one, we have the Petrea Volubilis. It’s also another vines family member beside the Flame of Irian and Mandevilla. If you can’t find it in your hometown, maybe the people don’t recognize that name as it has so many nicknames, such as Purple Vine, Queen’s Wreath, and also the Blue Bird Vine. As you can see it’s not far from Blue and Purple color.
This because it can have two different colors. Even though it’s original area is America, which is very far away from this country, but this plant can survive in a tropical place like Indonesia. Many people may get confused because of its familiar looks with Lavender. But those two are really different though.
Of course, the nine types of plants in Bali above are not enough to represent the world of Flora. We need more plants to be able to create the list of plants this time. That’s why we prepare the other list that containing the other types of plants in Bali. But you should know that some of them aren’t easy to find.
- Morning Glory
- Enau
- Tembesu
- Jepun
- Paku Jukut
- Tunjung
So that’s the topic about types of plants in Bali island Indonesia. For the people who are interested in tropical plants, Bali can be their best place to looking for them. They can search for them and taking a nice vacation at the same time. Isn’t that great?