Proceeding of 6th ICGRC 2015

Ethnobotany Study of Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris Bedd) as

an Endemic Fern at Central of Kalimantan
Fathul Zannah1, Mohamad Amin2, Hadi Suwono2, Betty Lukiati2
1
Postgraduate Programm of Biology Education, State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia
2
Biological Education Study Program, State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia
Corresponding author: pesona.bio06@gmail.com

Abstract
This ethnobotany study of Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) analyzes the aspect of the relationship between plant and people,
especially about the indigenous knowledge such as the benefit and how the use of this endemic fern. Methods included
participant observation and semi structured interviews with a total of one hundred and ten participants were conducted in
Palangkaraya, at Central of Kalimantan. The result shows that the Dayak ethnic society in Palangkaraya believe that Kelakai
(Stenochlaena palustris) useful to increase milk production, increase hemoglobin, and as anti aging. Consequently, identifying
this endemic ferns benefit can help to preserve the local wisdom of Dayak ethnic group and natural plant conservation.
Keywords: Central of Kalimantan; endemic fern; ethnobotany; Stenochlaena palustris

1. Introduction
Indonesia has an abundant biodiversity, there are 9.600 plant species that have been used by 400 ethnic for the
treatment of various diseases [1]. Especially at central of Kalimantan by area 15,380,000 ha or 7.93% of the area of
Indonesia also has a variety species of fruit plants, medicinal plants, decorative plants, forestry plants, garden plants,
and local food plants which have been utilized by the community [2]. Akar kuning (Arcangelisia flava Merr) is one
of medicinal plants that used by Dayak ethnic society in Palangkaraya at central of Kalimantan as traditional
medicine to treat diseases caused by infection. And based on [3] study, proved that akar kuning (Arcangelisia flava
Merr) potentially as anti-bacterial to treat infectious diseases Aeromonas hydrophila at catfish (Pangsius
hypophthalamus). Beside akar kuning (Arcangelisia flava Merr), there is Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) which
according to the Dayak ethnic society at Central of Kalimantan potentially to treat a various diseases, where that
indigenous knowledge they get from generation to generation. So specifically, this ethnobotany study of Kelakai
(Stenochlaena palustris) analyzes the aspect of the relationship between plant and people, especially about the
indigenous knowledge such as the benefit and how the use of this endemic fern.

2. Material and Methods

The study was conducted in the Palangkaraya, at central of Kalimantan, in November 2015. The methods
included participant observation with a total of one hundred and ten participants. Interviews focused to participants
description as sex, age, job, and indigenous knowledge about the benefit of Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris). And
then, Interviews typically extract information like plants prescribed (type of plant used, part of plants used,
medicinal uses, ritual setting and etc.) were collected through interviews.

3. Results and Discussion

Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) is an endemic fern at central of Kalimantan, in tropical district that have
amazing diversity of plants species (Figure 1). The scientific classification of this fern is as follows.
Scientific Classification:
Kingdom : Plantae
Phylum : Pteridophyta
Class : Pteridopsida
Order : Blechnales
Family : Blechnaceae
Genus : Stechnolaena
Species : Stenochlaena palustris

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 Proceeding of 6th ICGRC 2015

Figure 1. Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris)

Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) processed into various types of cuisine by Dayak ethnic society like vegetable
kelakai, soup kelakai and chips kelakai which has a variety of flavors (Figure 2).

Figure 2. The processed food from Kelakai (Chips Kelakai)

The study indicates that the use of Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) as food and traditional medicine is common
among Dayak ethnic society in Palangkaraya. Where that indigenous knowledge about the benefit of this fern they
get from generation to generation.
Anti Aging
Some of the Dayak ethnic society believe that Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) efficacious as anti aging.
Increase milk production
The woman of Dayak ethnic group society believe that Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) can increase milk
production. So after they have given birth, routinely they will consuming this fern. This is so important, because
breastfeeding benefits both mother and baby rather than infant formula does not have many of the benefits.
Increase Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying protein inside red blood cells and people with anemia do not have enough
hemoglobin. One of the treatment to increase the hemoglobin by consume Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) based
on indigenous knowledge by some of the Dayak ethnic society in Palangkaraya at central of Kalimantan.
Scientific testing has also been conducted on metabolite compound from Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris). One
of them based on [4] study, the analysis of nutrient composition found in Stenochlaena palustris to be a good source
of phosphorus and potassium. And then their study revealed that Stenochlaena palustris represents a promising
source of phenolic antioxidants, although the effectiveness of the specific phenolic mixture in each leaf extract

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varied according to the type of leaf used. High contents of phenolic constituents, including anthocyanins, and high
specific metal chelating activity in the edible young sterile frond of Stenochlaena palustris highlight the potential of
the fern as a functional food. Moreover Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) based on [5] study, contains total
flavonoids 14.5 g/mL of QE on the leaves and based that metabolite compound potentially as antioxidant. So the
ferns parallel functions as food and medicine prompted us to speculate its role as a potential low-cost functional
food, especially in the communities of developing countries [4]. And it may be a good source of bioactive or
therapeutically relevant natural products, which may nd applications as functional food ingredients and/or leads for
new drugs [6].

4. Conclusion
Dayak ethnic society in Palangkaraya at central of Kalimantan believe that Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) can
increase milk production, increase hemoglobin, and efficacious as anti aging. So by identifying this endemic ferns
benefit can help to preserve the local wisdom of Dayak ethnic society and natural plant conservation. Based on this
finding, future studies to visualization the structure of metabolite compound at Kelakai (Stenochlaena palustris) to
further develop traditional medicine.

Acknowledgments
The author thank to colleagues, Ayatussaadah, M.Pd and Rahmatullah, S.Pd, who helped collect the data.

References
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