Evaluation and identification of the native Zingiberaceae specie in Mijen, Central Java, Indonesia

Zingiberaceae, Musaceae, and Cactaceae families are a small part of the diversity of species of tropical plants found in Indonesia. The Zingiberaceae consists of around 50 genera and more than 1,300 species. The uses of Zingiberaceae ranges from food, medicine, industry, to ornamental plants. The constraints in the commercialization of the species of this family are the lack of information on the growth characteristics and cultivation techniques to produce quality crops, and understanding on the phytochemical content of different parts of the plants. This study aims to identify the presence and diversity of Zingiberaceae species in the Central Java region, particularly in Mijen District, Gunung Prau, and Darupono Teak Forest, and to study the uses by the local community by conducting surveys and interviews. We recorded 19 species belonging to the Zingiberaceae in the study area, with a total of 293 individuals from the 10 genera, and Zingiber was the most dominant genus. Five of these species have been used by local residents as spices, 12 species as herbal medicines, and 2 species have potentials as ornamentals or cut flowers, Etlingira foetens and Etlingera elatior.