Diversity of Zingiberaceae and traditional uses by three indigenous groups at Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Abstract

Research on gingers and their traditional uses by three different indigenous ethnic groups at Lore Lindu National Park, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia was carried out from February to June 2018. The objectives of the research was to gain information about the diversity of the family Zingiberaceae and its traditional uses by the Topo Baria, Toi Toro Muma and To Kaili Ledo people. Key informants were traditional healers (sando), traditional leaders (adat), community leaders, village leaders, religion leaders, government officers and crafts-people. The interviews were recorded using audio recorders and notebooks. Samples of plants were collected and photographed while recording the information. Response was obtained by “Snowball technique”. A total of 24 species of Zingiberaceae were used of which 19 were determined to species level. Eight species were collected from natural forest, while 14 were recorded from agricultural habitat. Four of the species were endemic to Sulawesi (Alpinia eremochlamys, A. rubricaulis, Etlingera acanthodes and E. flexuosa). Fourteen species were not native to Sulawesi but widely cultivated in the region. The information about the uses by the Topo Baria was not adequate whereas the contrary the Toi Toro Muma and To Kaili Ledo used several species for various daily purposes, such as medicine, spice, cosmetics, ornamentals, or to be eat freshly.