Jenis-Jenis Pandanaceae di Pulau Nias Sumatera Utara

Abstract

This study aims to reveal the diversity, distribution, and morphological as well as anatomical characteristics of the Pandanaceae family on Nias Island, North Sumatra. The exploration results identified ten species of Pandanaceae distributed across five administrative regions, occupying various habitats including sandy coastal areas, coastal swamps, inland swamps, lowland forests, and montane forests. Freycinetia angustifolia has the most restricted distribution, occurring only in North Nias Regency and West Nias Regency. Environmental factors such as high rainfall, air humidity, temperature, and soil characteristics influence the presence of Pandanaceae species in the region. The observed morphological characters include growth form, stem structure, leaves, inflorescences, and fruits, while anatomical characters focus on stomatal type, frequency, index, and size on both the adaxial and abaxial surfaces. The stomatal types identified were anomocytic in most Pandanaceae species and tetracytic in Freycinetia angustifolia. Variations in stomatal frequency, index, and size indicate the influence of light intensity and habitat conditions on the physiological adaptations of each species. The findings of this study provide essential baseline information for conservation efforts, ecological understanding, and taxonomic grouping of Pandanaceae on Nias Island.