Studi Keragaman Anggrek Epifit di Kepulauan Sula

Exploration of epiphytic orchids is very important at this time because the natural habitats of the orchids have begun to be damaged due to the forest conversion into plantations. Epiphytic orchids is a plant that grows upon another trees are scattered in limited, permanent and converted production forests. However, the expansion of coconut, clove and cocoa plantations has resulted in a narrowing of the forest area, resulting in reduced natural habitat for epiphytic orchids. The study aimed to establish the species of epiphytic orchids in Sula Islands, North Maluku. The study used a survey method with a descriptive approach and plots were determined by purposive sampling. The results found 6 species of epiphytic orchids in 8 plots i.e. Cymbidium finlaysonianum, Grammatophyllum scriptum, Trichoglottis latisepala, Brachypeza sp., Pomatocalpa spicata, and Aerides sp. Epiphytic orchids, C. finlaysonianum dominate the forest area reaching 77,29% respectively. There were 9 host trees that had been found, i.e Shorea sp., Cythea sp., Mangifera indica, Heritiera sp., Thesphesia macrophylla, Artocarpus sp., Calophyllum inophyllum, Ficus sp., and Cocos nucifera. Keywords: Epiphytic orchids, host trees, diversity, Sula Islands