Plants of Batang Gadis

Dipterocarp forest, an unnamed rafflesia and 55 orchid species.

About 240 species of vascular plants in 47 families have been recorded in Batang Gadis. The dipterocarps dominate: the giant rainforest trees of Sumatra, such as meranti (Shorea). There are also Sumatran endemics such as Baccaurea dulcis, Hopea nigra and Shorea platyclados. Half the park is lowland forest; above 1,000 metres it turns into montane forest.

Rafflesia

Rafflesia has been found in the forests around Pagar Gunung, Alahan Kae, Sibanggor Julu and Sopotinjak villages. Park rangers report that the flowers they meet on patrol are not all alike. One is small and blackish-red, and according to the park its species has not been identified yet. More than one rafflesia species probably grows here.

Rafflesia is a parasite with no leaves, stem or true roots. It lives inside Tetrastigma vines and becomes visible only when it flowers. A bloom lasts just a few days, so the only way to find an open flower is with a ranger or village guide who knows where the buds are.

The photo above shows Rafflesia arnoldii elsewhere in Sumatra, not in Batang Gadis.

Orchids

In 2019 the park office listed 55 orchid species, mostly Bulbophyllum. Of these, 48 grow on trees (epiphytes) and 7 on the ground. 39 are listed in CITES Appendix II, meaning their trade is regulated internationally. Never pick or buy wild orchids.

Pitcher plants, corpse flowers, fungi

Pitcher plants (Nepenthes), which feed on insects, grow in the park. The park team also found the corpse flower Amorphophallus variabilis: one bloom 69 cm tall and 23 young plants around it. More than 50 fungi species are recorded, including the rare Marasmius siccus. In the forest of Alahan Kae village, more than 19 species of fungi can be found along every 100 metres of trail.