National flower is certain types of flower that are chosen by a country since those particular flowers can represent the characteristics of that country. Most countries in the world have their own national flower. National flower in one country is definitely different than national flower in other countries. Indonesia also has its own national flower as well. There are three types of flower that are chosen as Indonesian national flower through Presidential Decree Number 4 Year 1993. These flowers are Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis), Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac), and Stinking Corpse Lily (Raflesia Arnoldi). Let’s take a look at these Indonesian national flowers one by one.
See also : Bali Facts – Indonesian Politics
There are three types of Indonesian National Flower, Such as:
1. Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac)
There are many types of Jasmine that can be found in Indonesia. One of them is Arabian Jasmine (Jasminum sambac) is considered as one of the species of Jasmine came from South Asia.
Jasmine also considered as shrub type of plant. Jasmine habitats are originally Hindustan area, Indochina, Malaysia, even to Indonesia. Arabian Jasmine is one of the most common types of Jasmine that can be found in Indonesia and this flower is chosen as one of three Indonesian national flowers. Arabian Jasmine is named as Puspa Bangsa or Nation’s Flower.
See also: Indonesian Education System – Most Beautiful Fabric in Indonesia
Arabian Jasmine is a shrub plant that has straight up stem which grows crawly on posts. This plant is also categorized as annual plant. Arabian Jasmine can grow properly in tropical weather. The types of soil is suitable for Jasmine are including soil with light condition, soil with good porous, soil with sand, or even clayey soil. The flowers of Jasmine came in small size and commonly came in white color. The petals of the flower can be single layer or stacked in multi-layer. The leaves of this plant came in round shape.
See also: Poverty in Indonesia – Indonesian Heroes
Habitats
There are at least 200 types of Jasmine identified in the whole world. However, only 8 to 9 types of Jasmine are commonly cultivated. In Indonesia, there are so many local names that are given to Jasmine. People in Bali called this flower Menuh while people in Aceh called Jasmine as Meulu Cina or Meulu Cut. While, in Madura, Jasmine is called Malete then in Banda, this flower is called Menyuru. People of Gayo and Batak Karo called Jasmine as Melur, people in Menado called this flower Manduru, and people in Sumbawa called this flower Mundu.
See also: Indonesian Heritage – Deforestation in Indonesia
Characteristics
Jasmine is the type of flower that has simple petal shape. The flower of this plant came in white color which is commonly associated with pureness or sanctity by many people in Indonesia. Other interesting thing about this flower is its has a very pleasant aroma. The aroma produced by this flower is very soft and calming. That’s why this flower is sometimes used in aroma therapy or as ingredients for products that are usually used for aroma therapy.
See also: Unique Facts about Indonesia – Indonesia Java
Jasmine is the type of plant that doesn’t need high maintenance. Everyone can cultivate this flower without have to use too much effort. In Indonesia, you can find many people that sell Jasmine seedlings.
Then, the price of the seedlings and the price of the flowers of this plant are relatively affordable. No wonder that Jasmine is usually considered as people’s flower in Indonesia because this type of flower can be afforded by almost any class of Indonesian people.
The Jasmine plant can be found easily on many residences as hedgerows. This plant also grows naturally in front yard of many residence areas as well. Even though this plant originally came from India, jasmine has grown in Indonesia for many years. This flower is used for various purposes. One of the most common uses of Jasmine is as accessories in many traditional ceremonies. Traditional ceremonies in several parts of Indonesia usually use Jasmine as accessories or offerings.
See also: Indonesian Martial Arts – Indonesian Theater
Benefits
Jasmine’s flower also has so many health benefits and commonly used by Indonesian people as traditional medicine. Some people in Indonesia even consider Jasmine as one of the most useful home remedies. One of the health benefits that you can get from Jasmine is this flower can help reduce your stress. The aroma produced by jasmine can make you calm and more relax.
Besides can be used to reduce stress, Jasmine also can be used for detoxification as well. These days, you can find Jasmine Tea easily on the market which is the type of tea that is made from the combination of tea and Jasmine. Jasmine tea is considered good for detoxification. Moreover, consuming Jasmine tea can help your body removes the toxin in more effective way.
See also: Saman Dance – Gamelan Facts
You can grow Jasmine on your front yard. You also can grow this type of flower on pot as well. Growing Jasmine is relatively easy. This type of flower doesn’t need extensive maintenance and you can grow it without have to spend too much time. As long as you pay attention to the weeds and remove them immediately, give enough fertilizer, and water the plant regularly, your Jasmine will grow properly.
See also:
Cultivation
These days Jasmine cultivation has become one of the most popular businesses in Indonesia. There are many people try to cultivate this plant in huge scale. Thus, in order to sell the plant to other people. The flower of this plant is also sold in many places around Indonesia, especially when there is a traditional ceremony that requires you to use this type of flower. The price of the Jasmine flower is very affordable. The flower of this plant is also usually used in traditional wedding procession as well.
Since it can grow easily in Indonesia and almost every people in Indonesia know this flower, no wonder that this flower is chosen as Nation’s Flower. Jasmine is also the type of flower that offers so many benefits and can be used for so many purposes.
See also: Indonesian Human Rights – Volcanoes in Indonesia
2.Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis)
The second flower that is chosen as one of three Indonesian national flowers is Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis). There are so many types of Orchids that you can find in Indonesia.
Orchid is considered as exotic flower that has so many fans in Indonesia. Among so many types of Orchid that can be found in Indonesia, Moth Orchid is the type of orchid that is chosen as Charm Flower of Indonesian national flowers.
The Moth Orchid is the type of orchid that has very distinctive appearance. Moth Orchid has flower with wide sized petals.
See also: Bali Tribes – Luwak Coffee
Characteristics
Each type of Orchid has its own characteristics. The characteristics of one type of Orchid might be different to the characteristics of other types of Orchid. One of the most interesting characteristics of this type of Orchid is its flower. The color of the petals is white. This type of Orchid is considered as epiphyte plant which means that the Moth Orchid grows by sticking to the branch or the trunk of other plant.
Just like any other types of Orchid, the most interesting part of Moth Orchid is definitely its flower. The flower of Moth Orchid is very unique and special since the flowers came with wide sized petals. The color of these petals is also amazing as well. While other types of Orchid usually has flower with mixed colors, the Moth Orchid came with flower that has white color. The simplicity of Moth Orchid flower is one of the main reasons why this flower is chosen as one of three Indonesian National flowers and named as Charm Flower.
See also: Indonesian People – The Biggest Stadium in Indonesia
Habitats
Moth Orchid is originally found by Dutch botanist, Dr. C.L. Blume. Blume also had become the director of Lands Platentuin or now known as Bogor Botanical Garden. This type of Orchid has habitats that spread across Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua, Philippines, and even Australia. Moth Orchid can grow properly on land up to 600 meters above the sea level. Like almost Orchids, Moth Orchid grows as epiphyte plant that sticks to other plant’s trunk or branch in the forest.
See also: Endangered Animals in Indonesia – National Library of Indonesia
The Moth Orchid is called Anggrek Bulan in Indonesian language. This type of orchid is named Moth Orchid because the shape of the petals is similar to the shape of the moth’s wings. Even though most Moth Orchid has petals that came in white color, these days you also can find variants of Moth Orchid that came with petals in other colors or even combination of colors.
The Moth Orchid, just like most Orchids, is originally considered as the type of plant that can grow naturally in forests or in the wild. After it’s being found by Blume, there are more and more people try to cultivate this type of orchid in their own garden. Cultivating and growing Moth Orchid can be quite difficult sometimes, especially for those of you who don’t have basic knowledge in gardening. However, if you have willing to learn, you will be able to cultivate and grow this type of orchid on your own garden.
See also: Indonesian Tea – Dayak Tribe
There are several reasons why Moth Orchid is chosen as Charm Flower and one of three Indonesian National flowers. Then, there are reason why this type of Orchid is chosen as one of three Indonesian National flowers. Thus, this type of Orchid is considered as the ancestor of other type of Orchids that are commonly found in Indonesia. Other reason why Moth Orchid is chosen as Charm Flower is because this type of Orchid has even distribution in any party of Indonesia. Moth Orchid is the type of Orchid that can grow easily on any part of Indonesia and this type of Orchid also can be found almost in any islands in Indonesia.
See also: Bird of Paradise – Largest Mosque in Indonesia
Moth Orchid is also chosen as one of three Indonesian National Flowers. Thus, Indonesia is known as the largest area of distribution for various types of Orchid in the world. From 70 species of Orchid that can be found in the world, 26 of them can be found in Indonesia. Moth Orchid is also considered as the first type of Orchid that is found in Indonesia. Moth Orchid is found in 1918.
Other reason that makes Moth Orchid is chosen as Charm Flower of Indonesia. Thus, the shape of the flower, structure, and the color of the flower are represent the values and philosophy of Pancasila (Indonesian’s state symbol). Last but not least, Moth Orchid is the type of plant with flowers that can last longer compared to other types of flower. The flower bud can grows more than 60 buds on each stem.
Moth Orchid has become one of the most favorite types of Orchid in Indonesia. The price of this type of Orchid is quite affordable compared to other type of Orchid. However, if the flower blooms, the price of the plant can increase. The maintenance of this plant is also not too difficult. As long as you can pay attention to the condition of this plant generally, you will be able to grow Moth Orchid properly. Sometimes, people who grow Moth Orchid might join competition or contest that is held for people who are Orchid enthusiast.
See also:
3.Stinking Corpse Lily (Rafflesia Arnoldi)
The third flower that is chosen as one of three Indonesian National Flowers is Stinking Corpse Lily or Padma Raksasa in Indonesian language. This type of flower is chosen as Rare Flower. Besides chosen as one of the three Indonesian National Flowers, Stinking Corpse Lily is also considered as identity flora for Bengkulu Province as well since this type of flower only can be found in Bengkulu Province.
This type of Rafflesia is one from about 30 types of Rafflesia. Moreover, it can be found in South East Asia. Stinking Corpse Lily is considered as endemic plant of Sumatra. You can find various types of Rafflesia in Kalimantan, Philippines, and Sumatra.
See also: Indonesian cultures – Bali Facts
Characteristics
Stinking Corpse Lily is called Padma Raksasa in Indonesian language because this type of flower has a very big size. The size of flower in this plant can reach 100 centimeters in diameter with weight about 10kg. Since the size of the flower on this plant is very big, this plan is called Padma Raksasa which means Giant Flower.
Rafflesia Arnoldi is considered as rare flower since this type of plant only can be found in Bengkulu. You will not find this type of flower in other parts of Indonesia. You also will not be able to cultivate this type of plant since this type of plant only grow in the wild and will not grow outside its natural habitat. Rafflesia grows in the National park in Bengkulu and it’s protected under the regulations that are issued by government of Bengkulu.
See also: Indonesia Religion – Indonesian Language
The shape of this plan is very unique as well. This plant doesn’t have any trunk or stem. It also doesn’t have any leaves and true roots as well. Since this plant has a very unique shape, there are many people who are interested and want to see this flower directly by coming to National Park where this flower grows. Rafflesia Arnoldi is the type of plant that grows as endoparasite in other plant that plays role as host. The only part of this plant that can be seen outside the host plant is its flower that came with five large sized petals.
See also: Hinduism in Bali – Indonesia Flag
However, until today,there are no ones who can cultivate Rafflesia outside its natural habitat. And when the roots or the trunks of the host plant dies, the Rafflesia will die as well. This is why Rafflesia needs primary forest as its habitat in order to survive. Maybe this is also one of the reasons why this plan is chosen as Rare Flower of the Indonesian National Flowers. Besides it only came in very small number in all over Indonesian, this flower also can’t be cultivated which makes it becomes more unique and rare.
See also: Sumatran Tigers
There are many people think that Rafflesia Arnoldi is similar to Titan Arum (Amorphpophallus titanium). The fact is that these flowers are different and not similar. Most people think that Rafflesia Arnoldi is Titan Arum. Even though both of them have gigantic size, they are different species and don’t have any relation.
Rafflesia Arnoldi is first found in 1818 by Dr. Joseph Arnold. Dr. Arnold is the member of British expedition team that is leaded by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. That’s why this flower is named Rafflesia Arnoldi that came from the combination of the names of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles and Dr. Arnold.
See also: Best Airports in Indonesia
Habitats
Besides in Bengkulu, Rafflesia Arnoldi also can be found in lower mountain forest in East Java. You also can find this plant in lowland forests that are located along south coast of West Java and Central Java. Rafflesia Arnoldi also can be found in lowland forest of Meru Betiri National Park. Tropical forest in Sumatra is also considered as natural habitat of Raflesia Arnoldi.
See also: Indonesian Coral Reef – Indonesia Orangutan
Several places that are known as the place for Rafflesia Arnoldi to grow are including Kerinci Seblat National Park, Bukit Barisan National Park, Seblat Elephant Training Center in North Bengkulu, and Padang Guci that is located in Kaur Regency, Bengkulu. South Bukit Barisan National Park itself is declared as conservation center for Raflesia Arnoldi.
There are several things that are considered as threat for Raflesia Arnoldi and its habitat. The high level of deforestation, forest burning, and the decrease of the amount of forest in Sumatra are several factors that are considered as threat for Raflesia Arnoldi survival and its habitat. The threat to Raflesia Arnoldi survival also came from local people who disturb the flower and take Raflesia’s pistil that is used for traditional medicines.
See also: History of Jakarta – Indonesian Democracy
All of those flower are identified as National Flower. Its because each of them has an unique characteristics as well as can describe Indonesia in three words. Pure, Wisdom, and Elegant. Therefore, the existences of those flower must be kept and maintained for a long time.
