Population structure of woody plant in malaka (Phyllanthus emblicata) habitat, Padang bolak, North Sumatra

Abstract

Abstract Malaka is a wild plant that generally grows in subtropical and tropical regions including India, Thailand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and Indonesia. In Indonesia, this plant found disjunct in Java, Ternate and North Sumatra. Malacca seed is known as traditional medicine for diabetes, cancer, liver, ulcers and anemia. People in South Tapanuli also used the leaf as traditional food ingredients. Information regarding to distribution and habitat of Malacca in North Sumatra is still quite limited. Therefore our research aims to determine the population structure and malacca association in Padang Bolak Julu. The population structure and plant species associations were conducted through vegetation analysis by purposive sampling and the association is calculated using the Ochiai, Dice, and Jackard index values. The results showed that the malaka IVI at the level of seedlings, saplings, poles and trees were 150.35, 131.83, 112.04 and 102.23, respectively. Malaka plants are high association patterns and positively associated with P. obovatum in the location.