PlantsMap

EN PL

15 plants worth knowing

Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago – more than 17,000 islands strung along the equator between Asia and Australia. Sumatra, Borneo and Papua hold some of the largest rainforests on Earth, Maluku and Sulawesi harbour a wealth of endemic species, and savannas dominate the drier Lesser Sunda Islands. The Wallace Line, which separates Asian flora and fauna from Australian, runs through the archipelago, and for centuries the Spice Islands drew merchants from all over the world.

Hover over a plant to see on the map where it grows.

where it grows

  1. Arabian jasmine 1

    shrub · National flower of Indonesia (puspa bangsa)

    Arabian jasmine

    Jasminum sambac

    The small white flowers of melati are a symbol of purity – they are woven into garlands for brides and used to scent tea.
  2. Corpse lily 2

    flower · Rare national flower of Indonesia (puspa langka)

    Corpse lily

    Rafflesia arnoldii

    The largest single flower in the world – up to a metre across, weighing as much as 10 kg and smelling of rotting meat.
  3. Moon orchid 3

    orchid · National flower of Indonesia (puspa pesona)

    Moon orchid

    Phalaenopsis amabilis

    The “moon orchid” with snow-white flowers – the wild ancestor of the popular moth orchids found on windowsills around the world.
  4. Titan arum 4

    perennial

    Titan arum

    Amorphophallus titanum

    The plant with the world’s largest unbranched inflorescence – up to 3 m tall and reeking of a decomposing body.
  5. Nutmeg 5

    crop

    Nutmeg

    Myristica fragrans

    For the nutmeg of the tiny Banda Islands, the Dutch gave Manhattan to the English.
  6. Rice 6

    crop

    Rice

    Oryza sativa

    Rice is the foundation of Indonesian cuisine and culture – Bali’s terraced fields have been irrigated by the communal subak system for over a thousand years.
  7. Clove 7

    crop

    Clove

    Syzygium aromaticum

    Cloves come from North Maluku – today Indonesia produces and consumes more of them than anywhere else, mostly in fragrant kretek cigarettes.
  8. Weeping fig 8

    tree · Symbol of the third principle of Pancasila (the unity of Indonesia) on the national emblem

    Weeping fig

    Ficus benjamina

    In Europe a popular potted ficus, in Indonesia the spreading beringin – sacred village tree and symbol of national unity on the state emblem.
  9. Durian 9

    crop

    Durian

    Durio zibethinus

    The spiky “king of fruits” comes from the forests of Sumatra and Borneo – some adore its creamy flesh, others flee from its smell.
  10. African oil palm 10

    palm

    African oil palm

    Elaeis guineensis

    Indonesia is the world’s largest palm oil producer – oil palm plantations have transformed the landscapes of Sumatra and Borneo.
  11. Coconut palm 11

    palm

    Coconut palm

    Cocos nucifera

    The coconut palm grows on the shores of almost every Indonesian island – providing coconut milk, oil, palm sugar and leaves for weaving.
  12. Teak 12

    tree

    Teak

    Tectona grandis

    Jati, or teak, has covered Java’s dry hills for centuries – its hard, durable wood goes into furniture, boats and the famous carvings of Jepara.
  13. Arabica coffee 13

    crop

    Arabica coffee

    Coffea arabica

    Arabica from Java, Sumatra, Toraja and Bali is among the world’s most prized coffees – “java” has even become slang for coffee.
  14. Indian sandalwood 14

    tree · Symbol plant of the province of East Nusa Tenggara

    Indian sandalwood

    Santalum album

    For centuries the fragrant sandalwood of Timor and Sumba drew merchants from China, India and later Europe to eastern Indonesia.
  15. Indonesian cinnamon 15

    tree

    Indonesian cinnamon

    Cinnamomum burmanni

    The bark of this tree gives Indonesian cinnamon, known as korintje – its main growing centre is the Kerinci mountains of Sumatra.