FLORA
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CYCAS CLIVICOLA
THE HANGING GARDENS IN BELUM TEMENGOR
A Cycas clivicola growing under a large tree on the hill top in Belum Temengor (left)
INTRODUCTION
Cycads (Cycadaceae) appeared first on earth some 270-280 million years ago and made up the dominant flora during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (100-200 million years ago). They remain a part of our modern flora with about 300 species in three families, distributed primarily in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Cycadaceae is today represented by a single genus, Cycas with about 90 species scattered throughout Australia, Indo China, Malesian region, Japan, South Asia and East Africa. Reference (Jutta et. al., 2008). Cycads are dioecious, with separate male and female individuals. They produce large seeds with a fleshy coating and a hard centre which are recalcitrant in nature. The seeds are dispersed to nearby soil by birds, rodents and fruit bats, where they must germinate quickly to survive. If conditions are not suitable for germination, the seeds will die. Cycads are long-lived, slow-growing, and have a low reproductive rate. The cycad roots contain cyanobacteria that exist in a symbiotic relationship and provide nutrients by fixing atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form that can be utilized by the cycads.
THE GENUS CYCAS
Malaysia, is home to three species namely the Cycas litoralis found on sandy and rocky seashores; Cycas clivicola found on limestone cliffs and Cycas macrocarpa found as a primary forest understorey plant. Of interest to Belum Temengor Rainforest Complex is the Cycas clivicola. This species is also known as “The Cliff Cycad”. It derives its name from the Latin word ‘clivis’ which means a cliff, and the Latin suffix, ‘cola’ which means a dweller. This is in reference to the fact that this plant grows on limestone cliffs. The beauty of this cycad is visible at the limestone outcrop in Temengor called as ‘batu putih’. The plant grows downwards from the cliff to a length of about 10 meters or more. The long, often gnarled and twisted trunks bears testimony to centuries of exposure to harsh conditions of their habitat. In contrast are their graceful crowns of pinnate fronds that continually regenerate with great charm. This beautiful sight reminds the viewer of the ‘The Hanging Gardens of Babylon’.
The Cliff Cycad (Cycas clivicola) at Batu Putih in Belum Temengor
THREATS
The attractiveness of the cycads is also their greatest weakness. They are prized ornamentals in the international market. The 1997 IUCN Red List has included all the three species found in Malaysia as threatened in the world (Walter & Gillet, 1998). Fifty two percent of all cycads are listed as threatened, mainly due to habitat loss and harvesting from the wild (Donaldson, 2003).
CONSERVATION MEASURES
Cycad conservation is important to many sectors. These cycads are an important group in horticulture, as well as being an ancient plant taxon. They contribute to the health and fertility of soil through their relationship with nitrogen fixing bacteria, and they are also of interest to the pharmaceutical industry due to some of the unique compounds contained within them. Currently there is no targeted conservation action for this species in Malaysia.
References Jutta M., L.S.L. Chua and L.G. Saw (2008) Malayan Cycads – Ancient Plants with Little Hope for the future? Conservation Malaysia Bulletin Issue No.8. Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Donaldson J.S. (2003). Cycads. Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan. IUCN/SSC Cycad Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K. Walter K.S. and Gillet H.J. (eds) (1998). 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. Compiled by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. IUCN-The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, U.K.