Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING9 PAPER - FEBRUARY 2002 This series of working papers

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to generate fruitful

discussion Projek Etnobotani on key issues Kinabalu in the sustainable The making of a Dusun Ethnoflora and equitable use (Sabah, Malaysia) of plant resources. G.J. Martin, A. Lee Agama, J.H. Beaman and J. Nais Please

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People and Plants Initiative,

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75352 Paris CEDEX 07 SP, France. The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The opinions expressed in this paper are entirely those of the authors and do not commit any Organization.

Authors’ addresses:

Gary J. Martin John H. Beaman The Global Diversity Foundation The Herbarium B.P. 262 Marrakesh-Medina Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Morocco Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB United Kingdom Agnes Lee Agama WWF Malaysia Jamili Nais P.O. Box 14393 Sabah Parks 88850 Kota Kinabalu P.O. Box 10626 Sabah 88806 Kota Kinabalu Malaysia Malaysia

Photos: Gary Martin, Michael Doolittle, Robert Höft

Published in 2002 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris Cedex 07 SP, FRANCE Printed by UNESCO on chlorine-free recycled paper

Edited by Martin Walters Design: Ivette Fabbri Layout: Martina Höft

SC-02/WS/

Recommended citation: Martin, G.J., Lee Agama, A., Beaman, J.H & Nais, J. 2002. Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu. The making of a Dusun Ethnoflora (Sabah, Malaysia). People and Plants working paper 9. UNESCO, Paris.

An electronic version of this document can be downloaded from http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/peopleplants/wp/wp9/index.html PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU THE MAKING OF A DUSUN ETHNOFLORA (SABAH, MALAYSIA) Introduction

Mount Kinabalu, famous among botanists for its Ethnoflora. We hope these preliminary steps will remarkable floristic richness and high level of provide a continuing incentive to local communi- plant endemism, is located in the Malaysian state ties to manage unprotected forests in buffer zones of Sabah in northern Borneo. It is one of 234 sites around Kinabalu Park and to promotwe the via- designated as primary centres of plant diversity bility of Dusun ecological knowledge. in the world (Davis et al. 1995). Centrally locat- Chapter 1 of this working paper describes ed in the Flora Malesiana region, it rises to 4094 Mount Kinabalu, and the floristic and ethnob- m above sea level, and is the highest mountain otanical projects carried out there. Chapter 2 pro- between the Himalayas and New Guinea. It is the vides a general comparison between the diversi- centerpiece of Kinabalu Park, a 753 km2 protect- ty of the PEK specimens and those collected by ed area created in 1964, renamed as a State Park local and visiting botanists from 1857 to the pre- in 1984 and designated a World Natural Heritage sent, providing evidence for the efficacy of com- Site in 2000. munity-based collecting. Chapter 3 discusses the This working paper provides some of the proposed production of a Dusun Ethnoflora, and results of a community-based inventory of useful other future developments of the PEK. Chapter 4 plants carried out from 1992-1998 that was at the focuses on the palms of Mount Kinabalu, provid- heart of the Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu, an eth- ing baseline data for an ethnofloristic treatment nobotanical research and training project at of this key botanical family, a first step towards Mount Kinabalu. Over this period of six years, a complete Dusun Ethnoflora. seventeen local collectors from nine communities (or kampungs) made more than 9,000 uniquely numbered plant collections at more than 500 sites around Kinabalu Park, and recorded ethnobotanical data from fellow villagers. The community participants obtained specimens from a broad range of natural and anthropogenic vegetation types around their communities. Through this research, we have partially ful- filled our goal of carrying out ethnobotanical research with a team of local people, Park personnel and visiting researchers who study patterns of Dusun knowledge of plants. In addition we have contributed to the conservation of pristine areas by developing the ability of Park personnel to assess locally-used botanical resources and by strengthening links between the Park research staff and Dusun communities. During the project, we have provided research and capacity-building opportunities for students from Malaysia and other Asian countries, particularly through a series of certificate training courses. As the PEK continues, we are searching for ways to reinforce ethnobotanical research at Kinabalu Park and enrich interpretive programs and exhibits - particularly through the production of written and photographic materials on local plant use - for the more than 200,000 people who visit the Park every year. Of equal importance are efforts to return the results of the floristic inventory to local communities in the form of a Dusun

Fredoline, soil surveyor with the Projek Ethnobotani Kinabalu, demonstrating the measurement of various hori- zons in a soil profile near Bundu Tuhan, Sabah, Malaysia. PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 1 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Contents

1 Introduction 2 Contents

3 Floristic and ethnobotanical projects at Mount Kinabalu 3 Documenting a centre of plant diversity: Mount Kinabalu 4 Making a floristic inventory: the Flora of Mount Kinabalu Project 5 Conducting a community-based ethnofloristic inventory:Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu 6 Sharing the methodology:the certificate training course in applied ethnobotany 6 Returning results to the community: Dusun medicinal plants manual

11 Productivity of community-based botanical inventories 11 Studying a region of high botanical diversity: the flora of Mount Kinabalu 12 Conducting a preliminary comparison: the palms of Mount Kinabalu 13 Broadening the analysis: the monocotyledons of Mount Kinabalu 15 Completing the analysis: the dicotyledons of Mount Kinabalu 15 Interpreting the results: complete floristic inventories

20 The making of a Dusun Ethnoflora 22 Discerning patterns of classification: the structure of Dusun classification 22 Characterizing Dusun resource management patterns: the cultivation status of plants 24 Documenting local and scientific vegetation types: plant resource distribution 26 Mapping distribution and access to plant resources: GIS and numerical applications 26 Correlating elevation and use of plant resources: ecological ethnobotany 27 Establishing one hectare plots: quantitative ethnobotany approaches 28 Assessing conservation status: criteria for assessing vulnerability 29 Understanding the social context of forest access: transformation of Dusun use and management of plant resources 29 Drawing upon the literature: the contribution of bibliographic sources 29 Summarizing the results: the ethnoPEK database

34 The palms of Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia) 35 A note on local classification of palms 36 I. Areca 57 XI. Korthalsia 39 II. Arenga 61 XII. Licuala 41 III. Calamus 62 XIII. Metroxylon 49 IV. Caryota 62 XIV. Nenga 50 V. Ceratolobus 63 XV. Oncosperma 51 VI. Cocos 63 XVI. Pinanga 51 VII. Daemonorops 66 XVII. Plectocomia 56 VIII. Dypsis 67 XVIII. Plectocomiopsis 57 IX. Elaeis 68 XIX. Salacca 57 X. Eugeissona 69 XX. Nypa 71 Ethnobiological inventories, biodiversity loss and erosion of local knowledge 71 The call for a global biodiversity inventory 72 Local benefits from resource inventories 72 Integrating gloabal and local perspectives 74 Revisioning participatory approaches to biodiversity inventory 75 Further reading 78 Acknowledgements 79 References

2 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Floristic and ethnobotanical projects at Mount Kinabalu

Documenting a centre of plant astrophic selection of adapted genotypes by droughts on ultramafic substrates diversity: Mount Kinabalu (Beaman and Beaman 1990). Genera in three different groups (tree ferns, Mount Kinabalu has arguably the richest flora in orchids, dicots) already have been the world. This contention is supported by a data- examined using morphological base developed by John Beaman and his col- and molecular data that indicate leagues that includes nearly 5,000 plant species that high-elevation endemics that occur in an area of about 1,600 km2. have been derived from more Kinabalu Park provides protection for about half widely distributed taxa at lower the total area, whereas the other half outside the elevations. Park has been transformed by the agricultural The geology of Mount and forestry activities of local Dusun people. Kinabalu has been rather thor- Because most plants are very restricted in occur- oughly investigated over the past rence, deforestation endangers many plant popu- half century (Collenette 1958; lations and has probably already caused the Jacobson 1970). The lower slopes of the extinction of some species. mountain have thick layers of late Cretaceous to Mount Kinabalu is one of the youngest Tertiary sandstones and shales of the Trusmadi mountains in the world, and its flora includes large numbers of closely related species that There is no other place in the world appear to be neo-endemics. The extremely high that supplies in so short a journey such species diversity of Mount Kinabalu apparently a stupendous transect of plant-ife.…I results from a combination of factors, among conclude that, if ever there was a nexus which the most important are: of natural phenomena demanding bio- 1. great altitudinal and climatic range from tropical rain forests near sea level to freez- logical research, it is around Kinabalu. ing alpine conditions at the summit; E. J. H. Corner (1964) 2. precipitous topography causing effective geographic and reproductive isolation of and Crocker Formations. The core of the moun- species over short distances; tain is a pluton of mainly hornblende and 3. the geological history of the Malay (granitic) adamellite emplaced diapirically into Archipelago involving movement of sever- the complex of older rocks. It is part of a large al tectonic plates; batholith underlying the area. The central part of 4. a diverse geology with many localized the batholith was uplifted in the Pleistocene, edaphic conditions, particularly the serpen- forming the present mountain, and making it one tine or ultramafic substrates; of the youngest major mountains in the world. 5. frequent climatic oscillations influenced by Pleistocene glaciation produced the present ice- El Niño events; and carved topography of the summit area. Intrusive 6. environmental instability resulting from ultramafic (serpentine) rocks were uplifted with such causes as landslides, droughts, river the core and appear rather like a collar around the flooding and glaciation. mountain at lower and middle elevations. Landslides are a particularly prominent fea- The area around the Park is a complex patch- ture of the Kinabalu landscape. New ones occur work of forest reserves, agricultural lands pri- frequently and provide open habitats for plant vately owned by local people and outsiders, com- colonization. Likewise, droughts are frequent munal territory and, as yet, unclaimed state prop- events, probably occurring every four years on erty. For many centuries, the region around average; the most recent, extremely serious one Mount Kinabalu has been inhabited by the was in 1998 (Kitayama et al. 1999; Kudo and Dusun, Sabah's largest ethnic minority. Today, Kitayama 1999). A substantial part of the high many of these people continue to gather forest species diversity has probably resulted from cat- products, practise slash-and-burn hill rice culti-

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 3 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS vation and tend agroforestry plots, even as they plants in the flora of Mount Kinabalu. The spec- participate in commercial horticulture, tourism imen database now includes almost 40,000 spec- and other economic activities. imens that have been examined by John Beaman The traditional use of cultivated and forest and his collaborators. Enumerations - in a series plants is a highly valued practice in these com- of volumes on the Plants of Mount Kinabalu munities; local residents have identified such (PMK) - have been completed for about 70% of skills and knowledge as a critical component of the flora, and the documentation of the remaining their cultural heritage that continues to guide 30% of the flora is projected to be finished by daily activities in their villages. However, as the 2002. Ten years ago, John Beaman thought the encroaching market economy begins to dictate flora of Mount Kinabalu included about 4,000 the needs of these communities, the continuity of species of vascular plants. A few years later that traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and skills figure was revised to about 4,500 species, and is being increasingly threatened. Traditional use now he believes the total could go to 5,000 and management of plant resources is becoming species or even more. This extraordinary diversi- less important compared with community partic- ty occurs in an area of only 1,600 km2. Barthlott ipation in the market economy. et al. (1996) made an analysis of the global dis- In most Dusun communities, there are tribution of species diversity and included the forested reserves that form the buffer zone of Kinabalu area as one of the six highest global Kinabalu Park. As protectors of water quality diversity centres in the world, with more than and soil fertility, and repositories of a wide range 5,000 species per 10,000 km2. The new data sug- of medicinal, edible and other useful plant and gests that some 5,000 species may occur in an animal species, these forests are now coming area of less than 20% that size. under increasing pressure from logging as well as In the current enumeration, there are approxi- from permanent and shifting agriculture. A trend mately 210 families, 1,134 genera and 4,690 towards privatization, as a way of securing recorded species of vascular plants in the lowland, access to land, is decreasing communal manage- montane and high altitude forests in and around ment of some forest areas. Non-Dusun residents Kinabalu Park (Table 1).The data being assem- control many large-scale commercial activities - bled should contribute to Malaysian and interna- including timber operations, development of tional efforts to preserve endangered species and recreation areas and mining - which are threaten- exceptionally rich and unique plant communities. ing many rich habitats adjacent to Kinabalu Park. The basic concept of this project, as a speci- Although the forests within the Park bound- men-based database, was described by Beaman aries are strictly protected by law, there have and Regalado (1989), where the data model and been incidents of logging and the collection of data structure are outlined. Additional details on non-timber forest products (principally rattan, database methodology are provided in Wood et cinnamon bark, gaharu and ornamental orchids) al. (1993). Diversity and distribution patterns in in some areas. Recent surveying of the Park the flora were discussed by Beaman and Beaman boundary has virtually stopped illegal incursion (1990) during the first Flora Malesiana sympo- into the Park on the part of loggers and has led to sium in Leiden in 1989. An enumeration of the a clearer understanding between the Park and pteridophytes was published by Parris et al. Dusun communities on the boundaries of the pro- (1992), and enumerations of the orchids (Wood tected area. Selected communities have been et al., 1993) and gymnosperms and non-orchid given limited powers of enforcement by the Park monocotyledons (Beaman and Beaman 1998) Warden to stop illegal entry into the Park. have also been published. Whereas the cutting of any timber for commer- In the enumeration of the Kinabalu pterido- cial or personal use is strictly forbidden, there is phytes, 30 of the 621 taxa listed lacked published leniency towards not only the collection of non- names. The orchid enumeration, which included timber forest products for household use but also 711 taxa, provided descriptions of ten new taxa the hunting of game for subsistence needs. These and eight more were described almost simultane- policies appear to be promoting a spirit of co- ously in a different publication. Seven of the 121 operation between Park Rangers and community genera in the Kinabalu orchid flora were reported members. from Borneo for the first time. In spite of the intensive work that has been devoted to the Making a floristic inventory: Kinabalu orchids in recent years, there is still a the Flora of Mount Kinabalu residual accumulation of specimens that has not yet been determined. Among the approximately Project 450 taxa recognized in the non-orchid mono- As part of the Flora of Mount Kinabalu (FMK) cotyledon enumeration, 22 had conditional names, project, taxonomic databases, accessible on the nine were listed without specific epithets, and 21 Internet, are being developed for all vascular genera included one or more of the 105 undeter-

4 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS mined specimens. The number of undescribed promoting the viability of Dusun ecologi- taxa and undetermined specimens of dicots has cal knowledge. not yet been determined, but probably will be con- The PEK was launched through a training siderably higher than for the other groups. workshop held in Park headquarters in July 1992, which brought together members of Dusun communities, Park personnel (including the Park Conducting a community-based ecologist and naturalists who are from Dusun ethnofloristic inventory: communities around the Park), and outside researchers with expertise in ethnobotany, palms Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu and the general flora of the region. After the In 1992, we began a community-based eth- workshop, a group of Dusun collectors from six nofloristic inventory called Projek Ethnobotani communities around the Park (Bundu Tuhan, Kinabalu (PEK) that complements this floristic Kiau, Poring, Sayap, Serinsim and Takutan) inventory. This long-term research and training began to collect useful plants and record data project - based at Kinabalu Park - began as a col- about their local names, distribution, use and laboration between the WWF-UNESCO-Kew management. These collectors were reunited in a People and Plants Initiative, Sabah Parks and series of additional training workshop over sub- colleagues from the Universiti Kebangsaan sequent years. Malaysia, many of whom later transferred to the The community participants collected at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. more than 500 locally named sites around The PEK has four primary objectives: Kinabalu Park (Beaman et al. 1996) and recorded ethnobotanical data from more than 20 Dusun 1. ethnobotanical research, focused on build- kinsmen and women. They obtained specimens ing a team of local Dusun people, Park per- from a broad range of natural and anthropogenic sonnel and visiting researchers who study vegetation types around their communities. patterns of Dusun classification, manage- Following PEK guidelines, they focused on col- ment and use of plants; lecting plants named or used by Dusun people, 2. conservation of pristine areas, by develop- but they made general floristic collections as ing the ability of Park personnel to assess well. Initially, the PEK focused on palms, but we the ecological, cultural and economic soon expanded the projects to include any plants importance of locally-used botanical named or used by Dusun people, and even gen- resources and by strengthening links eral floristic collections. The local collectors between the Park research staff and Dusun were given an incentive to collect palms - a fam- communities; ily of particular economic and conservation 3. environmental education, by providing importance - but were dissuaded from collecting research and training opportunities for stu- orchids, which are sometimes illegally harvested dents from Malaysia and other Asian coun- from Kinabalu Park. Sabah Parks granted them tries and by enriching interpretive pro- permission to collect specimens inside Kinabalu grammes and exhibits for the more than Park only in 1995, and their access to many high- 200,000 people who visit the Park every elevation areas above 1,800 m was restricted dur- year; and ing the first years of the PEK. The Dusun rarely 4. community development, through improv- went to these upper slopes even prior to the ing the management of unprotected forests establishment of Kinabalu Park, because they are in buffer zones around Kinabalu Park and traditionally considered the resting place of the

Table 1. Number of taxa, specimen records, and collections in the Kinabalu flora.

Families Genera Species and No. of specimen No. of intraspecific taxa records collections

Pteridophytes 30 145 621 4,423 3,549 Gymnosperms 4 9 28 716 464 Orchids 1 121 711 4,988 4,040 Non-orchid monocots 34 163 449 4,660 3,307 Studied dicots 125 500 1,777 19,122 13,165 Indet. dicots 16 196 1,104 5,673 5,437 Total 194* 938* 3,586* 39,582 29,962 *excluding indets

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 5 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS deceased and thus taboo to the living (Regis 2. develop additional training materials and 1996). In addition, higher elevations are resource approaches; and scarce compared to the lowlands: the Dusun cul- 3. raise awareness within institutions and pro- tivate or gather most of their plant resources in tected area agencies of the importance of a the species rich zone under 1,800 m. multi-disciplinary approach to applied eth- In 1995, the project was expanded to three nobotany. additional communities (Melangkap Tomis, Participants in the course included govern- Menggis and Nalumad), and collectors were ment officers, protected area staff, representa- appointed to make general and ethnobotanical tives of environmentally concerned commercial collections around their villages on the north side enterprises, NGO members, university of the mountain. The work of Lorence Lugas researchers and students. Two of the three parts around Melangkap Tomis and Daim Andau in of the course - a two week session on qualitative the region of Nalumad has been particularly pro- methods and a two week session on applying ductive, with nearly 3,500 collections by results, preceded by a one week workshop on Lorence and 1,000 by Daim. ethnobiological and scientific classification of The local collectors tried to prepare six South-East Asian plants and animals - were held duplicate specimens of each collection, although at Kinabalu Park. The participants interacted that number could not in all cases be secured. with members of local communities during prac- Although collections of visiting botanists are tical sessions. clustered around the southern portion of Mount The workshop on scientific and ethnobiolog- Kinabalu, those made during the PEK come from ical classification was designed to give partici- sites that form a virtual ring around the massif, pants in the Certificate Training Course in giving a relatively complete picture of the local Applied Ethnobotany a basic understanding of distribution of plants at elevations of up to 2,000 plant and animal identification, categorization m. This geographical coverage is particularly and naming, and their application to ethnob- critical for understanding phytogeographical pat- otany. Held at the Kinabalu Conservation Centre, terns at sites like Mount Kinabalu, where a high the workshop combined lectures, hands-on percentage of plants have highly restricted distri- demonstrations, field exercises and practical butions, and more than a third of all plant species assignments. The facilitators and participants are known from a single collection. addressed the following objectives: Sets of the collections are deposited in the 1. understand the practice of scientific classifi- herbaria of Sabah Parks, the Royal Botanic cation of plants by: (a) studying key morpho- Gardens, Kew, and several other herbaria spe- cializing in South-East Asian floras, including logical characters used in identification; (b) the herbaria of the Sabah Forest Department, identifying plants in the field (c) collecting Sandakan, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, the plant specimens to 'voucher' plant identifica- National University of Malaysia, Bangi, and the tions and (d) using herbaria to verify plant Forest Research Institute, Kepong. The collec- identifications; tions are being processed by the research staff of 2. gain an overview of principles of ethnobio- Sabah Parks. John Beaman and a team of spe- logical classification, including categoriza- cialists at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and tion and nomenclature, and apply them to other institutions are identifying the collections analyzing Dusun classification of plants; and as part of the Flora of Mount Kinabalu project. 3. acquire a basic understanding of scientific and Dusun classification of animals. Sharing the methodology: the certificate training course in Returning results to the applied ethnobotany community: Dusun medicinal Drawing in part upon the PEK experience, we plants manual conducted a series of Certificate Training In January 1998 Agnes Lee Agama - a local co- Courses in Applied Ethnobotany from ordinator of the People and Plants Initiative - September 1997 to July 1998 to provide a broad worked with Sabah Parks, WWF Malaysia and introduction to the theory, concepts and field People and Plants in South-East Asia to initiate a methods in ethnobotany, as applied to conserva- six month project on the development of com- tion and development, for a group of young col- munity educational materials. The main focus of leagues from South-East Asia and the Pacific. this joint project was the compilation of a plant The training courses were designed to: booklet cataloguing some of the commonly used 1. build capacity in a group of people who are plants amongst the Dusun people who live working on issues of plant resource man- around Kinabalu Park, to be achieved through a agement, particularly associated with pro- process of constant consultation with local com- tected areas; munity members. By adopting this participatory 6 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS research process, it was possible to understand 8. loss of confidence in traditional medicine; the needs and concerns of local communities 9. reduction of forested areas; and regarding the conservation of local knowledge 10. interest of people in ‘modernization’. systems and the management of key plant The participants suggested a number of resources. ways of protecting and promoting traditional The booklet, entitled Wakau, Kayu Om knowledge. They agreed that parents and elders Sakot: Tubat Tinungkusan Sinakagon should take responsibility for educating the Kadazandusun has been distributed to Dusun younger generation through practical teaching communities according to a protocol devised by on the use, processing and application of medic- community representatives. The expectation is inal plants. In part, this training could take place that community education and awareness of in medicinal plant gardens and reserves estab- existing and potential forest resources will con- lished in villages for educational purposes. They tribute to initiating a grassroots momentum in advocated documenting knowledge in publica- biodiversity conservation and promoting the con- tions, such as useful plants manuals, posters and tinuity of traditional plant use. audio-visual materials. They suggested that The project drew upon ethnobotanical data accu- mulated by PEK community collectors over the previous six years. The process involved close consultation with 15 communities in information sharing, data gathering, compilation and editing phases of the manual. Through a participatory appraisal, community members expressed their concern that traditional knowledge is being lost due to a variety of factors including: Community members participating in a workshop on herbarium techniques at Bundu Tuhan, February 1995. 1. lack of commu- nication between elders and youths, especially in the form of these materials be included in the school cur- children spending less time with their par- riculum, and that teaching be conducted in col- ents in the fields leading to less exposure to laboration with local communities to ensure that plants; lessons are oriented towards maintaining local 2. influence of schools leading to less time traditions. In addition, they suggested a comple- learning about medicinal plants, which are mentary educational programme for adults in the not included in the national curriculum; form of seminars, workshops and exhibitions. In 3. lack of interest by young people, who tend acting on the suggestion to document local to migrate away from villages; knowledge in publications, representatives from 4. easy accessibility of hospitals and pharma- the communities collectively selected 40 plants ceutical medicines, replacing medicinal and identified the uses to be described in a med- plants; icinal plants manual. 5 forgetting by village elders because they The process began with a series of commu- are not using traditional medicines any- nity workshops that were conducted from 2 - 12 more; February 1998, involving 167 participants from 6. disappearance of apprenticeship systems of 15 Dusun villages around Kinabalu Park. The transmitting knowledge; workshops were intended to inform community 7. discouraging of medicinal plant use by new members of the development of the plant book- religions, particularly because of taboos let, and to invite local input. In particular, partic- and magic associated with the practice of ipants were asked to list the commonly used traditional medicine; plants that they would like to have included in

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 7 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS In March, Agnes Lee Agama and PEK staff from Sabah Parks visited all 20 village committee members and met with village headmen and PEK plant collectors. A short report of the workshop was provided to Village Committee members, describing the plants that had been short- listed, and requesting that they collect sample specimens for each of these plants. This involved a demonstration of plant pressing and drying techniques, as well as detailed instructions on how to record accompanying ethnobotanical data on each plant. On a subsequent trip the specimens were collected, and variations in plant names and detailed descriptions of plant uses were documented through interviews with Village Committee members. As production of the manual drew to a close, it became necessary to draft an agreement that would define the conditions of use, distribution and access to the manual, as agreed by all copyright holders. Villagers expressed some concerns regarding the use of information contained in the manual. Above all, they were worried that outsiders might make commercial use of the plants without informing, asking permission of, or sharing benefits with, the communities. Furthermore, they were concerned that others might publish books based on the information in

Matamin Rumutum plays the sompoton, a the booklet, according traditional Dusun instrument, as his son Hanif to Dusun name, use, looks on. Transmission of cultural knowledge parts used and method about plants from one generation to the next of preparation. Each is one of the concerns that can be addressed workshop also estab- by a community-based ethnobotanical inven- lished a Village tory. Photo credit: Gary J. Martin. Committee with five elected representatives from each participating village at that workshop. Village Committees functioned as the main contact point for future consultation throughout this project. Participants also decided that Village Committees should act as the centralised body that governs the circulation, use and monitoring of this plant booklet. From the 15 villages involved, 167 participants (51 women, 116 men) attended the workshops. Participants ranged from 16 to over 80 years of age. Among these were village headmen/women, chairmen of Village Safety and Development Committees (JKKKs), farmers, government employees, teachers, mountain and tour guides, housewives and students. The workshops resulted in a free list of 254 individual plant items, encompassing medicinal, construction, dietary, handicraft and ornamental uses. Of particular interest were the 126 medicinal plants and the eleven medicinal plant recipes covering a wide scope of treatments.

8 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS the manual, and that traditional knowledge During a workshop on community research might be used in inappropriate ways, such as agreements organized by People and Plants in encouraging outsiders to take the medicine South-East Asia (WWF Malaysia) and Sabah improperly. Other participants felt that the book- Parks from 15-17 September 1998, representatives let might encourage people to come into the vil- reconvened to draft a consensual research agree- lages to collect plants without the permission of ment between the copyright holders of the manual. the community, or that people might over-har- In a process facilitated by Sarah Laird and Jannie vest the medicinal plants. Lasimbang, they designed an agreement that In July 1998, a workshop was organized to defined conditions for the distribution, access and finalize the production of the plant manual, use of the manual, and generated model guidelines allowing representatives from each participating for any future follow-up research involving the community to provide input on the final draft of manual and/or communities that participated in the manual. More significantly, participants this process. As a result of this meeting (and a fol- explored and discussed the distribution, access low-up workshop on environmental education and use of the plant manual. To formalize their from 7-10 October 1998), an application form and role in future activities surrounding the plant guidelines were adopted (see Box 1). manual, representatives decided to form a volun- In addition to contributing to understanding teer community organization. The organization and promoting the ethnobotany of local Dusun called Tinimungan Momogompi Gouton people around Mount Kinabalu, and sharing the Kinabalu (TMGK; Kinabalu Association of methodology with other researchers in South- Forest Conservationists) would be the central East Asia, we predicted that the PEK ethnofloris- body representing the interests of the tic inventory would enhance the Flora of Mount Kadazandusun communities participating in this Kinabalu (FMK). Chapter 2 presents the results research. After the workshops, representatives of a preliminary analysis of the contribution of returned home to continue these discussions with local collectors to our knowledge of the flora of their own village members. this unique region.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 9 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Box 1.Structure of the application form for the Dusun medicinal plants manual.

Representatives of the following kampungs designed an application form for people wishing to receive the medicinal plants manual: Kiau Bersatu, Kiau Nuluh, Kiau Toburi, Mantanau, Melangkap Baru, Melangkap Kapa, Melangkap Nariou, Melangkap Tiong, Melangkap Tomis, Monggis, Nalumad, Pinawantai, Takutan, Toruntungon, Ulu Kukut.

They requested that WWF Malaysia provide TMGK rubber stamps for 14 villages, and a sticker label that contained the details of the distribution regulations for the manuals. Each copy of the manual was stamped with the TMGK stamp on the title page (which contains the WWF and Sabah Parks logos), contents page, and one additional page. Each TMGK member was responsible for ensuring that every recipient understood the regulations stated within the sticker label. The details of each recipient were recorded in a record book provided to each TMGK member for that village. The participants established that penalty guidelines were to be mutually determined by the three copyright holders (WWF Malaysia, Sabah Parks and the TMGK) according to the type of offense, on a case-by- case basis. Furthermore, it was agreed that any copies of the manual not distributed would be kept by the TMGK member under the condition that the safety of the manuals be guaranteed. For villages that required more copies of the manual than originally supplied, the TMGK member for that village could apply to Sabah Parks or WWF Malaysia.

The following application guidelines were agreed upon:

(1) Applicants must be local residents (Kadazandusun) only and living in Sabah; (2) Applicants are required to complete the application form that can be obtained from the TMGK member in that village; (3) Application forms must be purchased at RM2.00 (this money will be kept by the TMGK member in that village to be used for photocopying the form and to cover transportation); (4) The village headman and Chairman of the Village Safety and Development Committee (JKKK) has the mandate to represent his/her villagers when applying for the manual, with the condition that each applicant being represented must complete an application form; (5) Each family is only allowed to apply for one copy of the manual; (6) The TMGK member in that village has been given the mandate and good faith to evaluate each application received by him/her; (7) In the event of controversial applications, the TMGK member must consult with TMGK members from neighboring or nearby villages; (8) Each successful application must be endorsed by the village headman and/or the JKKK Chairman who must sign the application form to acknowledge the endorsement; (9) Applicants who have been rejected are not permitted to reapply, even to other TMGK members in other villages; (10) All application forms (successful and rejected ones) must be inserted in the record book that has been provided to each TMGK member for that village; (11) Successful applicants are bound by the distribution protocol that has been drafted by the TMGK in collaboration with Sabah Parks and WWF Malaysia.

Application Form for the Plant Manual Wakau, Kayu Om Sakot: Tubat Tinungkusan Sinakagon Kadazandusun

Terms and conditions: · Applicants must be local residents (Kadazandusun) only and living in Sabah; · Each family is allowed to apply for one copy of the manual only; · Application forms must be purchased at RM2.00; · The village headman and Chairman of the Village Safety and Development Committee (JKKK) has the mandate to represent his/her villagers when applying for the manual, with the condition that each applicant being represented must complete an application form; · Successful applicants are bound by the protocol document that has been drafted.

Name: ______.

IC Number: ______. Sex: ______.

Date of birth: ______/______/19______. Age: ______.

Race: ______. Nationality: ______.

Village (full address): ______.

Date of application: _____/_____/_____.

Reasons for applying: ______.

I ______hereby declare that the above information is true and correct.

______Signature of applicant Date ______FOR THE USE OF TMGK ONLY

Approved by:

______Signature and stamp of the TMGK member Signature of village headman/ Date JKKK Chairman Date

10 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Productivity of community-based botanical inventories

Previous to the PEK, the flora of Mount Based on estimated extinction rates in closed Kinabalu was known through more than 15,000 tropical forest, it is expected that the equilibrium uniquely numbered plant collections made by number of biological species will be reduced by some 200 individuals over a period of 140 years, at least 4% to 8% of the current total over the mostly from primary and secondary forest at rel- next quarter century (Reid 1992). The World atively high elevations on Mount Kinabalu. As Conservation Monitoring Centre calculates that we analyzed the results just from the palm col- 26,106 plant species (9.6% of the total currently lections, we were surprised to find a large num- described) are threatened, including 11,485 that ber of species and genera that had never been are classified according to IUCN categories as recorded from the Mount Kinabalu region during Rare, 5,687 as Vulnerable, 5,302 as the years of botanical activity that preceded our Indeterminate and 3,632 as Endangered. community-based ethnofloristic project. This led us to reflect on the potential contribution of local collectors to an all species inven- Studying a region of high tory, a goal that is re-emerging as a priority for botanical diversity: the flora of biological systematists and conservationists Mount Kinabalu (Kelly 2000). Various colleagues have argued there is an urgent need to accelerate the comple- Evaluations of small scale biological inventories tion of a global biodiversity inventory, giving in areas of high biodiversity can provide data on particular attention to organisms that are eco- the feasibility of these global efforts to record nomically valuable, ecologically important and living organisms (Dennis and Ruggiero 1996). threatened by human activities (Heywood 1995). Comparative analysis of floristic and ethnob- Of the estimated 1.8 million species of living organisms that have been The clear message from the conserva- described and given binomial names in the scientific literature, some 270,000 are tion community is that in order to plants. Although vascular plants and conserve and use sustainably the bryophytes are relatively well known species diversity of the world, there is when compared to other groups of organ- an urgent need to accelerate rather than isms, there is broad recognition that the diminish the taxonomic initiative global floristic inventory is far from complete (Wilson 1992). Biologists estimate during the current century. that anywhere between 30,000 to 230,000 Professor Sir Ghillean Prance (2000) species in the plant kingdom remain unknown to science (Kelly 2000). otanical collections on Mount Kinabalu reveals Achieving a more comprehensive and that community-based collectors increased detailed survey of plants and animals entails recorded palm taxa by 66.7%, monocotyledons identifying all species, understanding their geo- in general by 28.1% and a sample of dicot fami- graphical distribution and documenting how they lies by 16.3% in six years. This demonstrates that are used and classified by people (Martin 1995). one efficient way of achieving relatively com- Of the described plant species, many are known plete botanical inventories is to involve scientists by name only. We lack even preliminary data on and members of local communities in a collabo- their conservation status, distribution and impor- rative collecting programme. Community-based tance to human welfare. This limits our ability to collecting - advocated variously by researchers devise conservation action plans, ascertain sus- interested in ethnobiological classification tainable harvesting rates for economically impor- (Berlin 1984), biodiversity inventories (Naisbitt tant species and promote the involvement of 2000), bioprospecting (Janzen et al. 1993) and local people in resource management. promotion of local ecological knowledge (Martin The threat of potential species extinctions and Pimbert 1993) - has not previously been underscores the urgency of completing the compared quantitatively with conventional ways inventory rapidly (Gentry 1996; Lugo 1988). of conducting botanical surveys.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 11 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS The estimates of floristic richness of the collections. Thus, botanists were successful in Mount Kinabalu region are based on a computer- documenting 59% of the currently known total of ized database of approximately 30,000 voucher specific and infraspecific palm taxa in 136 years, specimens housed in major herbaria of Asia and less than the 91% detected by local collectors in Europe being studied as part of the Flora of 4.5 years (Figure 2.). Seen from another perspec- Mount Kinabalu or FMK project (Beaman and tive, community-based collectors - in merely 3.3% Beaman 1993; Paris et al. 1992; Wood et al. of the time period in which FMK collectors were 1993). The collections were obtained from active - have been able to increase known palm around Mount Kinabalu over a period of 147 genera by 90%, species and infraspecific taxa by years (1851-1998) by two distinct groups of col- 54.2% and collections by 108.6%. lectors: In addition to new taxonomic records, the 1. visiting botanists, including over 200 indi- ethnobotanical inventory has enriched our viduals each of whom remained on the knowledge of local classification, use and distri- massif for a period ranging from several bution of palms on Mount Kinabalu. The PEK days to several years to collect specimens collectors registered local names, uses or both for of the flora of Mount Kinabalu (Beaman 394 collections (98% of the total) and 69 species and Regalado 1989), and (85.1%) of palms included in the ethnobotanical 2. local people who have participated in the inventory. Even though many general floristic Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu or PEK expeditions included Dusun helpers who could (Martin 1994, Martin and Idrus 1998). have given ethnobotanical information, visiting botanists recorded names and uses for just two species (4.2% of the total number of species they Conducting a preliminary collected) and three collections (about 1% of the comparison: the palms of total collected) of palms. Collections of visiting botanists come largely from the southern parts of Mount Kinabalu Mount Kinabalu, above 1,500 m elevation, and In order to compare the efficacy of these two many come from within the Kinabalu Park groups of collectors, we initially characterized the boundary. Those made by PEK collectors are number and diversity of palms they collected, as from sites at lower elevations that form a virtual reflected by specimen records in the FMK data- ring around the massif, giving a relatively com- base. The visiting botanists sought specimens of a plete picture of the local distribution of palms broad range of species represented in the native (Figure 1). This geographical coverage is partic- flora. They obtained more than 15,000 uniquely ularly critical for understanding phytogeographi- numbered plant collections over a period of 145 cal patterns at Mount Kinabalu, where a high years, mostly from primary and secondary forest percentage of plants have restricted distributions at relatively high elevations on Mount Kinabalu. and many plant species are known from a single These include 372 palms, collected between 1856 collection (Beaman and Beaman 1990). (Stapf 1894) and 1992, that belong to ten genera Are palms better represented than other plant and 48 species and infraspecific taxa. families in the PEK collections or more poorly The PEK collectors, members of Dusun eth- represented in the FMK collections, leading to an nic communities around the Park, began a sys- overestimation of the productivity of local col- tematic ethnobotanical inventory in July 1992. lectors? Four arguments can be advanced to sup- Whereas plant collecting was the full-time occu- port this claim, but none led us to conclude that pation of visiting botanists while on Mount local collectors have been less effective at sam- Kinabalu, PEK collectors worked part-time, pling the diversity of many other plant families engaging in other commercial and subsistence that fit the PEK collecting guidelines. activities. Over a period of 6 years, 17 local col- First, palms are more abundant at the lower lectors in nine communities made more than elevations where local collectors have focused 9,000 uniquely numbered plant collections that their efforts than at the higher elevations where are being processed by the research staff of visiting botanists have tended to collect. Yet high Sabah Parks. They include 404 palms acces- diversity at lower elevations is a characteristic of sioned in the Herbarium of The Royal Botanic many other plant families. Preliminary analysis Gardens, Kew, which belong to 19 genera and 74 of other monocotyledonous families, pterido- species and infraspecific taxa. phytes, dicotyledonous families A - L and even Together, the FMK and PEK collections conifers (which tend to grow at high elevations in have yielded 776 palm records that correspond to the tropics) shows that many genera and species a total of 81 species and infraspecific taxa in 19 around Mount Kinabalu are found between genera (Table 2). Forty-one species were record- 300 m to 1,600 m asl, within the area where local ed in both sets of collections, while seven species collectors have made plant collections. were detected only in the floristic inventory and Second, palms are distinctive in both their 33 were documented only in the ethnobotanical morphology and utility, making them particular-

12 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 2. Comparison of palm taxa in Mount Kinabalu floristic and ethnobotanical collections.

Genus FMK collections PEK collections Combined PEK and FMK (1856 - 1992) (1992-1996) collections (1856 - 1996) Areca 13 3 Arenga 24 4 Calamus*1620 22 Caryota 22 2 Ceratolobus 01 1 Cocos 01 1 Daemonorops 10 12 12 Dypsis# 01 1 Elaeis# 01 1 Eugeissona 01 1 Korthalsia 39 9 Licuala 03 3 Metroxylon 01 1 Nenga 01 1 Oncosperma 01 1 Pinanga 96 10 Plectocomia§1 2 2 Plectocomiopsis 22 2 Salacca†2 3 3 Total 48 74 81 Comparison of the number of species and infraspecific taxa of 19 palm genera recorded in FMK floristic and PEK ethnobotanical collections on Mount Kinabalu, based on determined specimens accessioned in Kew (K), Leiden (L), Natural History Museum, London (BM) and other herbaria. [*An additional species of Calamus (C. scipionum) has been sighted but not collected on Mount Kinabalu. Two varieties of Calamus laevigatus are included as distinct infraspecific taxa in this summation; #Introduced recently to the Mount Kinabalu area; §One incompletely determined FMK collection of Plectocomia might be a distinct species; †One incompletely determined PEK collection of Salacca might be a distinct species]. ly noticeable to local people (Johnson 1991). But Broadening the analysis: the palm categories make up a relatively small part of the ethnobiological classification system of monocotyledons of Dusun people, who recognize a broad range of Mount Kinabalu other useful and morphologically salient plants. Third, because palms tend to be massive, We expected that analysis of the full set of eth- thorny and time-consuming to collect, they are nobotanical collections would confirm the sometimes deficient in herbarium collections when advantage of community-based inventories in compared to other groups of plants (Balick 1982). increasing our knowledge of not only the total However, botanists have not neglected the palms number of plant species on Mount Kinabalu but of Mount Kinabalu. One Arecaceae specialist also their distribution and utility. Corroboration (Dransfield 1984) collected 34 palms within the of this viewpoint is provided by the analysis of Kinabalu Park boundary during a ten-day visit in collections of 33 additional monocotyledonous 1979, and Joseph Clemens and Mary Strong families represented in the flora of Mount Clemens, two generalist collectors who stayed on Kinabalu. The set of PEK collections of mono- the mountain for two years in the early 1930s, are cotyledons, excluding orchids but including alone responsible for 170 palm collections. palms, has yielded new records of seven families, Fourth, the local Dusun collectors, employed 28 genera and 99 species. This corresponds to by Sabah Parks, were paid more for palm speci- increases of 25.9% in known families, 20.7% in mens than for collections of other plant groups, known genera and 28% in known species and encouraging a particularly complete set of infraspecific taxa (Table 3). Low elevation, use- Arecaceae. Nevertheless, palms represent about ful and morphologically salient monocotyledons 5.2% of the total number of collections made are, in general well represented in the PEK col- during the six years of the PEK. lections, whereas high elevation, inconspicuous plants not known to the Dusun are relatively defi-

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 13 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Elevation [m] 500- 999 1000-1499 1500-1999 2000-2499 2500-2999 3000-3499 3500-4101 Mount Kinabalu National Park Ethnobotanical collection sites

Approximate locations of palm collections 1856-1992

0 5 10 km

Serinsim

Sayap WE

Menggis S Melangkap Tomis

Nalumad

Mount Kinabalu Tekutan South Kiau China Sabah Nuluh Sea Poring Sarawak

Borneo Kalimantan

Bundu Tuhan

Figure 1. Topographic map of Mount Kinabalu, showing the approximate locations of palm collections made by botanists carrying out general surveys from 1856 to 1992, and by Dusun collectors participating in the Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu from 1992 to 1996. Over a period of 136 years, more than 30 visiting botanists collected palms at generally high elevations, ranging from approximately 400-3,400 m elevation, along the southern slopes of Mount Kinabalu, both inside and outside the current boundary of Kinabalu Park. During the six years of the PEK, 17 Dusun collectors surveyed plants at relatively low elevations, between 300 and 1,600 m elevation, mostly outside the Kinabalu Park boundary. They collected in various microenvironments near the nine communities named on the map, accessing diverse localities around the Kinabalu massif, and made occasional expeditions to higher slopes on the mountain.

cient. A family-by-family comparison of the Orchidaceae, which included 41 genera and 87 PEK and FMK monocot collections is given in species. Of these, one genus and 14 species were Table 4. The Orchidaceae are excluded from this previously uncollected at Mount Kinabalu. The analysis, because Sabah Parks dissuaded PEK complete total of new records in PEK collections collectors from collecting orchids. Nevertheless, of all 35 monocotyledonous families currently PEK collectors made a total of 147 collections of known from Mount Kinabalu are thus seven fam-

14 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Figure 2. Cumulative percentage of currently known Mount

100% Kinabalu palms (species and FMK infraspecific taxa) represented 90% in FMK floristic collections PEK 80% made over 136 years (circles) and in PEK ethnobotanical 70% collections made during the first 4.5 years of the 60% Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu 50% (squares). The number of new palm records in the FMK col- 40% lections was counted by five- 30% year periods from 1850 to 1990, and then yearly until 20% 1992. The number of new palm Percentage of known species and intraspecific taxa 10% records in the PEK collections was counted yearly from 1992 0% to 1996. 1850 1860 1870 1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

Years A.D.

ilies, 29 genera and 112 species. We expected 16.1% increase in known species of dicots in that analysis on the Mount Kinabalu dicots will these families. The local collectors were able to further confirm these trends. document 47.3% of currently known species in these families in a period of six years. There were Completing the analysis: the significant increases in the Amaranthaceae, Apiaceae, Cucurbitaceae and Lamiaceae, proba- dicotyledons of Mount Kinabalu bly because local collectors documented weedy John Beaman and his colleagues have now fin- and cultivated species that had previously gone ished the first of two volumes on the dicotyledons uncollected by visiting botanists. Increases in the of Mount Kinabalu, allowing us further insight known species of other families - such as the into the contribution of local collectors. The vol- Acanthaceae, Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae - are ume covers the Acanthaceae through Lythraceae, probably linked to collection of species of limit- referred to as dicots A-L. A fifth volume in the ed distribution. In addition, there were surprising Plants of Mount Kinabalu series will include fam- discoveries in families of important forest trees ilies Magnoliaceae through Winteraceae. A full that have been well-collected and studied, comparison of the PEK collections with FMK including the Clusiaceae, Dipterocarpaceae and collections will be carried out once the entire flora Lauraceae. Although not as striking as the is completed, probably in 2002. increases noted in the monocotyledons, these One interesting perspective on the contribu- data confirm the valuable contribution that local tion of local PEK collectors is provided by com- collectors can make to a floristic inventory paring the total numbers of dicots A - L collect- (Table 6). ed by various teams from 1851, when Hugh Low made the first collections, to 2000. John Beaman Interpreting the results: has placed the collectors into five groups: complete floristic inventories 1. Joseph and Mary Strong Clemens, 2. Sabah Forest Department collectors, We attribute the productivity of the PEK collect- 3. members of the Royal Society Expeditions ing of palms and other plants to Dusun peoples' of 1961 and 1964, intimate knowledge of living organisms, locali- 4 the PEK collectors, and ties and microenvironments around Mount 5. all other collectors. Kinabalu, their ability to collect at a variety of An analysis of the collections of these five locations year-round and their tendency to collect groups is provided in Table 5. a range of cultivated, semi-cultivated and wild Preliminary analysis of the PEK collections species. Most visiting botanists came from the from dicot families A-L (Table 6) reveal three United States, Europe or Peninsular Malaysia previously unrecorded families, and 252 previ- and were often unfamiliar with the plants, ecolo- ously unknown species; the newly recorded gen- gy and geography of Mount Kinabalu. Many of era have yet to be counted. This corresponds to a them collected palms and other plants along established trails in accessible primary and

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 15 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 3. Comparison of monocotyledons in Mount Kinabalu floristic and ethnobotanical collections

FMK collections PEK collections Combined Newrecords Percentage FMK and PEK in PEK collections increase collections due to PEK‡

Families* 27 27 34 7 25.9% Genera 134 116 163 28 20.7% Species/infraspecific taxa† 353 241 449 99 28.0%

Comparison of the contribution of FMK and PEK collections to current knowledge of the genera, species and infraspecific taxa of 34 monocotyledonous plant families found on Mount Kinabalu, including the Arecaceae. [*The Orchidaceae are excluded from this analysis; † The Plants of Mount Kinabalu enumeration includes some incompletely determined specimens. When the expression ‘cf.’ separates a generic name and specific epithet, the specimens so identified might be a particular species but the identification is uncer- tain. When the expression ‘aff.’ separates a generic name and specific epithet, the taxon so identified is not the one named, but is allied to it. The expression ‘sp.’ is used for incompletely identified specimens thought to be different from other taxa in the list, and ‘sp. nov.’ for species thought to be new to science. For the purposes of comparing FMK and PEK collections, ‘aff.’, ‘sp.’ and ‘sp. nov.’ determinations are considered to represent distinct species, whereas specimens with cf. determinations are included in the species to which they have been tentatively attributed. ‡ Percentage increase is calculated by dividing the number of new PEK records of monocotyledonous families, genera or species and infraspecific taxa on Mount Kinabalu by the total number of records of these taxa in the FMK collections].

mature secondary forest of the Kinabalu massif lecting to include species regardless of and focused on documenting wild species. Their whether or not they are named or used by success in finding a diversity of plants can be Dusun people. attributed in part to collaboration with the Dusun The implication of our comparative analysis assistants who accompanied them to the forest of plant collecting programmes reaches beyond and aided them in making plant collections. For the achievement of a more complete global sur- example, the label data on palm specimens vey of floristic diversity. A wide range of people obtained by the Clemenses indicate that Dusun now recognize the value of traditional ecological collaborators made 19 collections cor- lore (Johnson 1992), and many are looking for responding to ten species. ways to protect the intellectual property rights of Although local collectors the bearers of such knowledge and to compensate have been more productive them when commercial use is made of ethnob- than visiting botanists in otanical data (Greaves 1994; Martin et al. 1996, the overall rate of making The Crucible Group 1994). A prerequisite for palm collections and in designing appropriate policy measures is a better the number of palm taxa understanding of the local uses, distribution and recorded, our data sug- values of biological resources, a goal which can gest that the most com- be achieved by collaborative biodiversity inven- plete floristic inventories tories. will be achieved by com- The benefits of working with local collectors bining community-based go beyond simply cataloguing more species collecting with general floris- records. Local people are aware of the distribu- tic surveys, particularly if the tion of plant resources within the microenviron- sets of collections: ments of their own lands and in neighboring 1. are from vegetation types across a wide ele- communities. They also have a detailed knowl- vational gradient; edge of how to harvest, prepare and use hundreds 2. include the broadest possible variety of of plant resources. In addition, they are aware of plants-useful and not, cultivated and wild, which plant resources are becoming scarce, and native and introduced; and how to judge the quality and utility of remaining 3. are obtained through plant collecting pro- stands. Local people are also perceptive of the grammes carried out in collaboration with ecological aspects of plants in their immediate local institutions and international herbaria. environment, such as which species can be left in In the case of PEK, we hypothesize that a agricultural fields. Finally, they know the local comprehensive collection could be achieved value of economically important species sold in if local collectors are encouraged to obtain marketplaces or used by small scale industries. specimens of the flora at higher elevations, We will elaborate on some of these themes in the and if they increased the scope of their col- next chapter of this working paper.

16 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 4. Comparison of monocotyledonous families in Mount Kinabalu floristic and ethnobotanical collections

Family FMK collections PEK collections Combined Percentage increase Percentage increase PEK and FMK in known genera in known species collections due to PEK and infraspecific taxa due to PEK GSGSGS Acoraceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Agavaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Alliaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Amaryllidaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Araceae 14 38 12 14 14 41 0% 7.9% Arecaceae 10 48 19 75 19 80 90% 66.7% Burmanniaceae 360036 0%0% Cannaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Centrolepidaceae 110011 0%0% Commelinaceae 7 14 7 10 8 17 14.3% 21.4% Convallariaceae 221122 0%0% Costaceae 131214 0% 33.3% Cyperaceae 21 60 14 28 22 76 4.8% 26.7% Dioscoreaceae 1916112 0% 33.3% Dracaenaceae 131313 0%0% Eriocaulaceae 120012 0%0% Flagellariaceae 111111 0%0% Hanguanaceae 111212 0% 100% Hypoxidaceae 121213 0%50% Iridaceae 110011 0%0% Joinvilleaceae 111111 0%0% Juncaceae 130013 0%0% Limnocharitaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Lowiaceae 001111 Previously unrep. Previously unrep. Marantaceae 454646 0%20% Melanthiaceae 220022 0%0% Musaceae 121113 0%50% Pandanaceae 2 1528218 0%20% Phormiaceae 121112 0%0% Poaceae 42 70 32 44 52 92 23.8% 31.4% Smilacaceae 181518 0%0% Taccaceae 121112 0%0% Triuridaceae 140014 0%0% Zingiberaceae 11 47 8 23 11 52 0% 10.6% Totals 134 352 117 241 162 451 20.9% 28.1% Comparison of the contribution of FMK and PEK collectors to current knowledge of the genera, species and infraspecific taxa of 34 monocotyledonous plant families found on Mount Kinabalu (note: the Orchidaceae are excluded from this analysis, because PEK collectors were dissuaded from collecting orchids by Sabah Parks). G=Genera, S= Species.

Table 5. Collections and taxa of Dicotyledon families A-L obtained by five major groups of collectors on Mount Kinabalu.

Group No. of Collectors No. of Specimens No. of Collections No. of Taxa

J. & M. S. Clemens 21 7506 3319 813 Sabah Forest Department ~143 3889 2512 859 Royal Society 32 1783 956 441 PEK 17 2554 25543 790 Additional collectors ~90 3782 2771 716 Totals 254 19,514 12,112 -4 1M. S. Clemens in 1915; J. & M. S. Clemens in 1931-1934.; 2Chew, Corner & Stainton in 1961; Chew & Corner and Chai & Ilias in 1964; 3The number of specimens and collections is equal for the PEK material. The first set of these collections is in the Sabah Parks Herbarium on Mount Kinabalu and has not been examined for this project. Duplicate specimens have been distributed to several other herbaria, including K, where most of the determinations have been made; 4The column cannot be totaled because the various collectors obtained many of the same taxa.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 17 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 6. Preliminary comparison of dicotyledonous families in Mount Kinabalu floristic and ethnobotanical collections

Family PEK FMK Both Total Increase in % of flora known species collected by due to PEK PEK Acanthaceae 11 16 10 37 29.7 56.8 Aceraceae 0101 0.00.0 Actinidiaceae 1 5 11 17 5.9 70.6 Alangiaceae 0628 0.0 25.0 Amaranthaceae 8 1 2 11 72.7 90.9 Anacardiaceae 4 13 10 27 14.8 51.9 Annonaceae 15 42 30 87 17.2 51.7 Apiaceae 4318 50.0 62.5 Apocynaceae 6 26 17 49 12.2 46.9 Aquifoliaceae 1 10 5 16 6.3 37.5 Araliaceae 8 25 6 39 20.5 35.9 Aralidiaceae 0101 0.00.0 Aristolochiaceae 1214 25.0 50.0 Asclepiadaceae 4 15 5 24 16.7 37.5 Asteraceae 8 19 16 43 18.6 55.8 Balanophoraceae02130.0 33.3 Balsaminaceae 3014 75.0 100.0 Begoniaceae 0 17 2 19 0.0 10.5 Bignoniaceae 1023 33.3 100.0 Bixaceae 1001New family 100.0 Bombacaceae 2237 28.6 71.4 Boraginaceae0336 0.0 50.0 Brassicaceae 0101 0.00.0 Buddlejaceae 0011 0.0 100.0 Burseraceae 3 12 6 21 14.3 42.9 Buxaceae 0011 0.0 100.0 Campanulaceae 0404 0.00.0 Capparaceae 2226 33.3 66.7 Caprifoliaceae 0415 0.0 20.0 Caricaceae 1001New family 100.0 Casuarinaceae 0112 0.0 50.0 Cecropiaceae 0505 0.00.0 Celastraceae 2 10 7 19 10.5 47.4 Chloranthaceae 0123 0.0 66.7 Chrysobalanaceae 0123 0.0 66.7 Clethraceae 0123 0.0 66.7 Clusiaceae 5 21 14 40 12.5 47.5 Combretaceae 1214 25.0 50.0 Connaraceae 2338 25.0 62.5 Convolvulaceae 7 11 8 26 26.9 57.7

18 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 6. continued

Family PEK FMK Both Total Increase in % of flora known species collected due to PEK by PEK Cornaceae 0505 0.00.0 Crassulaceae 2002New family 100.0 Crypteroniaceae 0101 0.00.0 Ctenolophonaceae 0101 0.00.0 Cucurbitaceae 15 10 6 31 48.4 67.7 Cunoniaceae 0213 0.0 33.3 Daphniphyllaceae 0123 0.0 66.7 Dichapetalaceae 0022 0.0 100.0 Dilleniaceae 2057 28.6 100.0 Dipterocarpaceae 7 32 14 53 13.2 39.6 Droseraceae 0101 0.00.0 Ebenaceae 6 10 11 27 22.2 63.0 Elaeocarpaceae 2 35 9 46 4.3 23.9 Epacridaceae 0213 0.0 33.3 Ericaceae 0 87 10 97 0.0 10.3 Escalloniaceae 0 10 3 13 0.0 23.1 Euphorbiaceae 39 57 94 190 20.5 70.0 Fabaceae 47 30 39 116 40.5 74.1 Fagaceae 1 46 14 61 1.6 24.6 Flacourtiaceae 8 14 8 30 26.7 53.3 Gentianaceae 0404 0.00.0 Gesneriaceae 1 53 14 68 1.5 22.1 Goodeniaceae 0303 0.00.0 Gunneraceae 0101 0.00.0 Haloragaceae 0101 0.00.0 Hamamelidaceae 0101 0.00.0 Hernandiaceae 0112 0.0 50.0 Hydrangeaceae 0011 0.0 100.0 Icacinaceae 0 16 7 23 0.0 30.4 Illiciaceae 0112 0.0 50.0 Ixonanthaceae 0022 0.0 100.0 Juglandaceae 0617 0.0 14.3 Lamiaceae 8 5 4 17 47.1 70.6 Lauraceae 9 69 40 118 7.6 41.5 Lecythidaceae 0022 0.0 100.0 Leeaceae 0033 0.0 100.0 Lentibulariaceae 0101 0.00.0 Linaceae 0112 0.0 50.0 Loganiaceae 2 11 11 24 8.3 54.2 Loranthaceae 0 21 3 24 0.0 12.5 Lythraceae 2013 66.7 100.0 Total 252 827 490 1569 16.1 47.3

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 19 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS The making of a Dusun Ethnoflora

In the course of the PEK (1992-1998) over 9,000 researchers in local institutions. This will set the collections of plants have been made by Dusun foundation for additional research, conservation villagers around Kinabalu Park, primarily in nine and community activities which include an eth- communities. Comparative analysis of floristic nobotanical approach. Our specific recommenda- collections from the Flora of Mount Kinabalu tions to Sabah Parks and its collaborators are to: inventory and ethnobotanical collections from 1. Identify to species all remaining collec- the PEK has revealed how community-based col- tions. At the time of writing this Working lectors have increased our knowledge of this cen- Paper, almost all of the 9,000 PEK collec- tre of plant diversity. A booklet on medicinal tions have been sorted to family, about plants has been published in the local language two-thirds have been placed in a genus, and and distributed to Dusun communities around one-third (3,100) have been identified to Mount Kinabalu according to a protocol species. As part of the taxonomic enumera- designed by them. tion, John Beaman and his colleagues will During this same period, Sabah Parks has identify the remaining collections to greatly increased the research infrastructure and species as far as is possible. scientific staff of Kinabalu Park. The Kinabalu 2. Document the correspondence between Conservation Centre - which includes scientific Dusun and scientific classification of laboratories, biological collections, exhibit space plants, and the biogeographic distribution and administrative offices - was inaugurated in of plant resources. A new database, 1995. The Research and Education Section ‘EthnoPEK’ will allow elucidation of the employs a botanist, a zoologist and an entomolo- general structure of Dusun botanical classi- gist and several research assistants, all coordinat- fication according to general principles of ed by Jamili Nais, Assistant Director of Sabah ethnobiological classification (Berlin 1992) Parks. It is hoped that a post of anthropologist and standard methods set out in the will be filled in the future. The PEK has con- Ethnobotany Methods Manual (Martin 1995). The total number of Dusun generic If we discovered life on another planet, and specific botanical categories, and their the first thing we would do is conduct a affiliation with various Dusun life-forms (including kayu ‘tree’, tangau or wakau systematic inventory of that planet's ‘vine’, saket ‘grasses and herbs’, and tuai life. This is something we have never ‘rattans’) will be ascertained by document- done on our planet. ing the patterns of correspondence between Kevin Kelley (2000) the scientific name, plant family, Dusun name and Dusun life-form. tributed to this capacity- and facility-building by 3. Groundtruth Dusun ethnobotanical knowl- providing funds for the expansion of the herbari- edge. Although the PEK collections have um, the purchase of computers and GIS software, been made in nine communities around the and the employment of an ethnobotanical co- mountain, there is still inadequate docu- ordinator and research assistants. Members of mentation of the geographical distribution nine Dusun communities have collaborated with of useful plants and the variation in the the Conservation Centre staff. Ethnobotanical naming and use of plants in various vil- data were entered into a PEK database, and a lages. Systematic and comparable data duplicate of each collection is being integrated should be gathered by working with key into the Sabah Parks herbarium at the Centre. informants from selected villages during After reviewing the achievements of the workshops at Kinabalu Park headquarters PEK, we are now reflecting on how the project and in community sessions. Specifically, should develop in the future. We propose that the Sabah Parks staff, accompanied by collab- current priorities of the PEK should be to finalize orating researchers, should travel to com- the curation and analysis of the ethnobotanical munities with sets of plant collections that collections, and to produce a Dusun Ethnoflora correspond to specific Dusun plant cate- that will complete the task of returning the results gories for which we need to clarify naming of the study to Dusun community members and patterns, distribution and use. The key

20 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS informants in each community would be gymnosperms, monocots, ferns and fern asked to verify information on the name, allies, and the second volume on dicots. use and local occurrence of these plants. Information on the scientific name, local Additional ethnobotanical techniques - name, general use, distribution and other such as pile-sorting, pairwise comparison, characteristics would be included in both and triads comparison - could be used to English and Dusun for each species. The gather empirical data on specific Dusun book would be illustrated by color pho- plant categories that require specific clarifi- tographs of some plants, and by line draw- cation. Workshops should be held at ings from Jusimin Duaneh, a gifted illustra- Kinabalu Park headquarters, bringing tor who has worked with the PEK since its together the key informants to review sec- inception. tions of the completed manuscript. 6. Distribute the Dusun Ethnoflora without 4. Document plant distribution. In the taxo- compromising Dusun intellectual property nomic enumerations, distributions are rights. Distribution of the Ethnoflora will recorded in two ways: (1) in terms of the hopefully enhance local interest in the rich general elevations and vegetation zones flora of Mount Kinabalu, and stimulate where the species is found, characterized as continuity in local ethnobotanical knowl- Lowlands, Hill Forest, Lower Montane edge. Precise details of how to protect Forest, Upper Montane Forest, Summit Dusun intellectual property rights will be Areas, Ultramafic, Wet Habitats and discussed with community members, fol- Disturbed Areas and (2) through the specif- lowing the initial steps set out by Agnes ic localities listed in the specimen citations. Lee Agama for the Dusun medicinal plants Although these characterizations will be booklet. Some particulars on how to use useful for the Dusun Ethnoflora, local clas- and prepare unique plants would be left sification of the landscape adds a third key out, if so requested by local people. Plants element: the ecological categories used to that are considered of special religious or describe the successional stage of the vege- ritual significance would not be included. tation where plant resources are harvested. Intellectual property rights would be fur- Dusun ecological classification includes ther protected by requiring formal requests seven essential categories: timbaan (prima- for permission for any commercial use of ry forest with large trees), puru or talun the information. (primary forest); temulek (secondary forest Over the course of the PEK, the research or earlier successional stages that originate team has grown to include a co-ordinator, com- from fallowed cultivated fields); geuten munity collectors, field supervisors and herbari- (dense, relatively impenetrable secondary um staff. Now that the data and plant collection vegetation best characterized as a thicket); phase has been finished, the PEK team will be butur (grassy area, in pasture or near a reduced to include only core researchers (Jamili household); tume (cultivated fields, some- Nais and Gary Martin), consultants to identify times with trees); natad or liwan (home plant collections (John Beaman and Max Van garden). The EthnoPEK database has a Balgooy), a co-ordinator (Benedict Busin), field field that identifies the Dusun vegetation researchers (Jusimin Duaneh, Ansow Gunsalam category for the vast majority of the PEK and Alim Biun), and a network of key communi- collections. To further enrich our under- ty participants. standing of Dusun ethnobotany, localities The community participants would review where plants are harvested by local people the results of the analysis of Dusun plant classi- should be documented with GPS receivers, fication, provide missing data and make collec- topographic maps and satellite images. tions as needed. The Sabah Parks herbarium staff 5. Publish the results of this ethnobotanical should handle accessioning of the PEK collec- survey in a way that provides communities tions. A consultant linguist - Rita Lasimbang of and researchers access to the results of the the Kadazan Dusun Language Foundation (KLF) PEK. The results of the Flora of Mount - would review the transcription and meaning of Kinabalu project (FMK) are being pub- Dusun terms. In a related project, Agnes Lee lished in a series of books entitled Plants of Agama, former local co-ordinator of the People Mount Kinabalu, including volumes 1. and Plants Initiative and doctoral candidate at the Ferns and Fern Allies, 2. Orchids, 3. University of Kent at Canterbury, will finish her Monocotyledons, 4. Dicotyledon families doctoral research on the variation in ethnobotan- A-L and a final volume on Dicotyledon ical knowledge among the Dusun of Kiau, one of families M-Z. Sabah Parks and its collabo- the communities that has been involved since the rators should publish a 2-volume work on beginning of the PEK. Dusun classification of the flora that would Producing a Dusun Ethnoflora will require a complement this series, the first volume on coordinated effort by this multidisciplinary team.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 21 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS The data already collected and analyzed can be spond to trees, grass/herbs (a combined life-form enriched by a variety of approaches described in in Dusun) and vines (Table 7). Other minor life- the following sections. forms - such as orchids, palms and bamboos - account for a small amount of collections. Local Discerning patterns Dusun collaborators did not indicate the life- form of some 300 collections (about 10% of the of classification: the structure of collections), which may correspond to unaffiliat- Dusun classification ed generics or simply plants of low cultural significance and biological salience for Dusun The Dusun language has a series of expressions speakers of the Mount Kinabalu region. A full for plant life-forms that have been used on the list of Dusun plant generic terms and their life- specimen labels of the PEK collections. The word form affiliation will be verified in the ‘ethnob- saket means herb, although it can also mean weed, otanical groundtruthing’ described above. As and is applied to grasses and sedges as well as the additional collections are identified, we will be types of herbs that would be designated forb in able to understand the relationship between English life-form expressions. The word kayu Dusun and Western plant classification, particu- means tree, whether large or small, and sometimes larly the correspondence between Dusun plant what a botanist would consider a large herb is generics and scientific species. referred to as a kayu. There is some variation in the life-form terms from one community to another. For example, in Poring, Nalumad, and Tekutan Characterizing Dusun resource a climber or liana is called tangau and a rattan is management patterns: wakau. In Bundu Tuhan, Kiau, Melangkap Tomis, the cultivation status of plants and Serinsim a climber is called wakau and rattan is tuai. A general word for bamboo is tuluh In floristic treatments, cultivated and weedy (Bundu Tuhan, Kiau, Melangkap Tomis and species are sometimes excluded. The Plants of Serinsim) or wuluh (Poring, Nalumad, Tekutan). Mount Kinabalu volumes seek to provide a com- Poring is used for a few large bamboos, particu- prehensive record of the present state of the flora larly Gigantochloa levis, and is the basis for the of Mount Kinabalu, and therefore cultivated and place name Poring. The Malay word rumpun invasive species are included, including for means a cluster, and is used sometimes for example 117 species in dicot families A-L clumped grasses such as Sorghum and some bam- (Table 8). Before the initiation of Projek boos as well as certain pandans such as Pandanus Etnobotani Kinabalu in 1992, few cultivated rusticus. Parai is a commonly used term, referring plants had been collected on Mount Kinabalu. exclusively to rice. Parai-parai or marai-parai, According to the PEK guidelines the collectors however, mean life-forms resembling rice. The were to focus on plants named or used by the Malay life-form term syrub (apparently borrowed Dusun people, and also to make general floristic from English shrub) is occasionally used in Dusun collections, on community lands and later with- plant classification. Other general botanical terms in Kinabalu Park. On the basis of the large num- that have been borrowed include okid (orchid), ber of cultivated plants represented in their col- bambu and palma from English and sayur from lections, knowledge of what plants are being Malay, meaning vegetable. cultivated around the mountain is now signifi- Of the 3,100 ethnobotanical collections that cantly improved. have been identified to species, a majority corre- At the beginning of the project, we did not have a clear understanding of the Dusun concepts and practices of ‘cultivating’, ‘protecting’ and Table 7. The distribution of identified ‘tolerating’ plant resources. We did not fully PEK collections among the instruct the collectors to note how a particular specimen is managed (e.g. ‘grown in a pot’, ‘cul- Dusun lifeform categories. tivated in a garden within a house compound'’, '’planted in a cultivated field within or adjacent Dusun life form Number of collections to the kampung’) or cultivated (e.g. enrichment planting of coffee in secondary vegetation or in small clearings in primary forest). Although it is Tree (kayu) 1450 not always clear from data recorded by the col- Grass/herb (saket) 825 lectors how a plant was managed, sometimes Vine (wakau/tangau/tuai) 496 such an inference can be made from the collec- Orchid (okid)15tion notes. For example, if the data includes a Palm (palma)12statement such as ‘within a house compound’ the Bamboo (bambu/poring)11specimen was likely cultivated. The term liar, a Unaffiliated generics? (lifeform not specified) ~300 borrowed Malay word for wild, is used for any Total ~3100 wild relatives of cultivated species (for example Pandanus). 22 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 8. Cultivated native and non-native, and weedy dicotyledons (families Acanthaceae-Lythraceae) on Mount Kinabalu.

Family # Species Acanthaceae 3 (Justicia betonica, J. gendarussa, Strobilanthes cf. isophyllus) Amaranthaceae 10 (Achyranthes bidentata, Alternanthera sessilis, A. tenella, Amaranthus hybridus, A. spinosus, A. viridis, A. tricolor, Celosia argentea, Cyathula prostrata, Gomphrena globosa) Anacardiaceae 2 (Anacardium occidentale, Mangifera indica) Annonaceae 3 (Annona muricata, Cananga odorata, Rollinia mucosa) Apiaceae 3 (Apium graveolens, Centella asiatica, Eryngium foetidum) Asclepiadaceae 1 (Asclepias curassavica) Asteraceae 20 (Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Chromolaena odorata, Chrysanthemum indicum, Conyza leucantha, Crassocephalum crepidioides, Eclipta prostrata, Elephantopus mollis, Emilia sonchifolia, Erechtites hieraciifolia, E. valerilanifolia, Eupatorium capillifolium, Hypochaeris radicata, Mikania micrantha, Sonchus oleraceus, Sphagneticola trilobata, Synedrella nodiflora, Tagetes erecta, Youngia japonica, Zinnia elegans) Balsaminaceae 2 (Impatiens balsamina, Impatiens sp.) Begoniaceae 1 (Begonia cucullata) Bixaceae 1 (Bixa orellana) Bombacaceae 2 (Ceiba pentandra, Durio zibethinus) Campanulaceae 1 (Laurentia longiflora) Capparaceae 1 (Cleome rutidosperma) Caprifoliaceae 1 (Lonicera sumatrana) Caricaceae 1 (Carica papaya) Clusiaceae 1 (Garcinia mangostana) Convolvulaceae 6 (Cuscuta campestris, Ipomoea aquatica, I. batatas, I. fistulosa, I. quamoclit, I. triloba) Crassulaceae 2 (Bryophyllum pinnatum, Kalanchoe crenata) Cucurbitaceae 9 (Benincasa hispida, Cucumis melo, C. sativus, Cucurbita maxima, Lagenaria siceraria, Luffa cylindrica, Momordica charantia, M. cochinchinensis, Trichosanthes cucumerina) Euphorbiaceae 15 (Acalypha wilkesiana, Codiaeum variegatum, Croton tiglium, Euphorbia hirta, E. pulcherrima, E. thymifolia, Hevea brasiliensis, Jatropha curcas, J. gossypiifolia, Manihot esculenta, M. glaziovii, Pedilanthus tithymaloides, Phyllanthus amarus, P. urinaria, Ricinus communis Fabaceae 23 (Acacia mangium, Aeschynomene americana, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Calliandra portoricensis, C. surinamensis, Canavalia gladiata, Centrosema plumieri, Crotalaria pallida, C. verrucosa, Erythrina variegata, Gliricidia sepium, Mimosa pudica, Phaseolus lunatus, Samanea saman, Senna alata, S. obtusifolia, S. occidentalis, S. siamea, S. spectabilis, S. tora, Tamarindus indica, Vigna indet.) Flacourtiaceae 2 (Flacourtia indica, F. rukam) Lamiaceae 5 Hyptis brevipes, H. capitata, H. suaveolens, Ocimum basilicum, O. citriodorum) Lythraceae 2 (Cuphea hyssopifolia, Lagerstroemia indica)

In discussing ecological associations of the tation, usually secondary forest, but can imply dis- Kinabalu monocotyledons, Beaman and Beaman turbed areas in successional stages prior to what (1998) defined some of the terms used in the could be thought of as forest. Temulek implies that Dusun language to designate the habitat. Several of the secondary vegetation originated from aban- the habitat terms suggest, or fairly clearly indicate, doned land that was once cultivated. Disturbed that a particular plant was cultivated. Thus, butur areas along roadsides are often referred to as means grassy area, and may be either a pasture or temulek. Many of the specimens recorded as occur- within a house compound. When this expression is ring in temulek were not being cultivated in the used it is likely that the species has been affected strictest sense, but were under some form of man- by human influence, and is either a weed or a culti- agement, thus the cultivation status is ambiguous. gen. Liwan (in Bundu Tuhan and Serinsim) and In the Dusun Ethnoflora, we will attempt to natad are equivalent words for home gardens, clarify the cultivation status of plant resources, which indicates an even greater likelihood that a providing data on management practices such as plant is cultivated. Temulek is the most problemat- enrichment planting in secondary forest and the ical habitat term with respect to ascertaining wild introduction of plants in home gardens and other versus cultivated status. It means secondary vege- cultivated areas.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 23 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Documenting local and scientific Lee Agama, as part of a doctoral study further discussed below, will carry out comparative vegetation types: ethnographic work at Kiau to gain a detailed plant resource distribution understanding of the definition of the Dusun system of vegetation classification, of which our The EthnoPEK database has a field that identifies understanding is currently limited. Her research the Dusun vegetation category for the vast major- and thesis will focus on how the conceptualiza- ity of the 3,100 PEK collections identified to tion of ecological categories and the knowledge species (Table 9). There are nearly 1,300 collec- of dominant or key plant resources vary accord- tions that come from primary forests (timbaan, ing to age, gender, geographical location, level of puru or talun) and a similar number from sec- acculturation and other characteristics of a sam- ondary vegetation (temulek or geuten). More ple of informants from Kiau. This will include than 150 collections are from pastures, and a clarification of the relationship between Dusun similar number from cultivated areas (fields or and scientific vegetation types at various eleva- home gardens). tions on the mountain, as shown schematically in Table 10. This research will be divided into several phases. Initially, Agnes Lee Agama will work Table 9. The distribution of PEK collections with a team of Dusun speakers from Kiau to among the Dusun vegetation types. characterize the Dusun vegetation types in terms of dominant and key plant resources, elevation, location in the community, land use and resource Dusun vegetation type Number of collections management. The team will draw an initial community map indicating the distribution of the Primary forest with large trees (timbaan) 203 vegetation types in the community. They will Primary forest (puru or talun) 1093 carry out a community census, and select a strat- Secondary forest (temulek) 786 ified random sample of 30 informants. Each of Thicket (geuten) 513 these 30 participants will be given a disposable Grassy area (butur) 159 Home garden (natad or liwan) 109 camera with which to take 36 pictures that show Cultivated field (tume)59the exposure, physiognomy, location and key resources of each vegetation type. Discussion of the photos with the informants will allow devel- Although this provides a starting point, we opment of a detailed description of the Kiau propose four ways to further refine our docu- Dusun concepts of timbaan, puru, temulek and mentation of plant distribution and its inclusion the other vegetation types. In addition, each in the complete Dusun Ethnoflora. First, Agnes informant will make an individual list of

Table 10. The inter-relationship between Dusun vegetation categories employed in the Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu and the scientific vegetation types employed in the Plants of Mount Kinabalu project. The shaded boxes indicate areas where particular Dusun types of vegetation do not exist (e.g. because of lack of forests or human activity at certain elevations).

Scientific Dusun vegetation categories vegetation types timbaan puru temulek geuten tume butur natad or talun or liwan ‘primary forest ‘primary forest’ ‘secondary ‘thicket’ ‘cultivated ‘grassy area’ ‘home garden’ with large trees’ vegetation’ fields’

Summit area >3,400 m Upper montane forest 2,200 to 3,400 m Lower montane forest 1,200 to 2,200 m Hill forest 600 to 1,200 m Lowlands 0 to 600 m

24 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS toponyms in Kiau, and will then indicate the veg- localities, using the Jaccard similarity coeffi- etation type of each. With this list of toponyms in cient. We will expand upon this systematic doc- hand, several members of the communities will umentation of plant distribution by characteriz- visit these sites to record the elevation (using an ing the floristic elements of scientific and Dusun altimeter), the coordinates (using a GPS receiv- vegetation types around the mountain. In addi- er), the key plant resources and the dominant tion, we will assess the similarity between the form of land use. They will take photographs and flora of various sectors of the Mount Kinabalu, confirm the vegetation type - in Dusun terms - of based on the presence and absence in the follow- each site. In the final phase of this research, a ing 90° quadrants (Table 11): NW (Sayap, trail will be set out through a set of sites that rep- Melangkap Tomis), SW (Kiau and Bundu resent the diversity of vegetation and key plant Tuhan), SE (Nalumad, Tekutan and Poring) and resources of the community. Informants will be NE (Serinsim, Menggis). Apart from providing a taken along this trail one by one, and will be general picture of plant distributions and associ- interviewed on their understanding of the vegeta- ations on Mount Kinabalu, this will provide tion, land use and resource management at each baseline data for a future analysis of Dusun com-

Table 11. The four geographical sectors of Mount Kinabalu used for an initial analysis of the distribution of palms.

Sector Communities Latitude Longitude Elevational Primary and peaks Range Range Range [m asl] vegetation types

Northwest Melangkap Tomis 6°05'N to 6°16'N 116°23'E to 116°34'E 100m - 4,000+m Tropical montane rain forest; and Sayap Tropical lowland rain forest Northeast Serinsim, Menggis 6°05'N to 6°16'N 116°34'E to 116°45'E 200m - 4000+m Tropical montane rain forest; and Mount Tambayukon Forest on ultrabasic soils Southwest Bundu Tuhan, Kiau 5°54'N to 6°05'N 116°23'E to 116°34'E 400m - 4000+ m Tropical montane rain forest; Nuluh and Mount Kinabalu Forest on ultrabasic soils Southeast Poring, Tekutan 5°54'N to 6°05'N 116°34'E to 116°45'E 200m - 4000+m Tropical lowland rain forest; and Nalumad Forest on ultrabasic soils site. In addition, they will be asked to provide the munity access to key plant resources and of name, life-form and use of key plant resources. Dusun preference for various habitats when plant The resulting data and interviews will allow a resources are typically harvested. qualitative and quantitative analysis of the vari- Finally, we will refine available data on the ability of knowledge of landscapes, vegetation elevational range and specific localities where and plant resources in the community. particular plant resources are found. In the Plants A second way to refine our documentation of of Mount Kinabalu volumes, elevation data are plant distribution will be through field visits and summarized for all taxa for which these data workshops carried out by the PEK team. As part were available on specimen labels. The elevation of these activities, we will verify the correlation range indicated for each taxon is based on the between a broad range of Dusun plant categories lowest and highest elevations recorded (whether and the Dusun-defined vegetation zones where in feet or metres) for specimens of that taxon and they are found, extending the analysis, already rounded to the nearest 100 m. The elevation carried out in a detailed way, at Kiau to other ranges pertain only to collections from Mount locations on the mountain. Kinabalu, not to any other part of the distribution Third, we will document the patterns of plant of the species. In various taxa, some specimens distribution around Mount Kinabalu in both geo- have elevation data while others do not. It may be graphical and vegetational terms, drawing upon apparent from the locality data that a particular the locality information for collections included taxon must occur at lower or higher elevations in the published and future volumes of the Plants than indicated by the elevation printed. John of Mount Kinabalu. In the third volume of the Beaman and his colleagues did not attempt to Plants of Mount Kinabalu, John and Reed provide elevation ranges for taxa when the spec- Beaman documented the ecological associations imen labels do not provide this information, with of well-collected non-orchid monocotyledons. In the result that the elevations stated are not neces- addition, the second volume of the Plants of sarily complete for a particular taxon. Mount Kinabalu included an initial assessment The collections from the PEK project are of the similarity of the orchid flora at various key particularly problematical in this respect,

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 25 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS because the PEK collectors have not had access A broader biogeographic analysis for the to altimeters or detailed maps. They have, how- Kinabalu flora and ethnoflora could be devel- ever, recorded precise locality data that appear oped based on the methodology employed by on the labels as ‘toponyms’ (place names for spe- Barkman et al. (1998) to elucidate orchid distrib- cific sites, such as local terms for settlements and ution and the GIS technology used by Beaman specific topographical features of the landscape). and Beaman (1997) to understand distribution Eventual publication of a list of PEK toponyms and diversity patterns of pteridophytes. Barkman with latitude-longitude coordinates and eleva- et al. (1988) delimited regions of homogenous tions determined by GPS and altimeters is envi- geology within a defined elevational range, sioned, giving further insight into the distribution shown in Table 12. They recorded 466 taxa of of key plant resources. orchids from these regions, and derived a clado- gram based on their distribution. Although Mapping distribution and access Barkman and his colleagues used these data to analyze the divergence of the present-day orchid to plant resources: GIS and flora, this approach could be adopted to under- numerical applications stand similarities in the access of Dusun communities to plant resources around Mount Kinabalu. As part of the Flora of Mount Kinabalu project, As a further refinement to documenting and Reed Beaman and his colleagues have devel- portraying plant distributions, we plan to draw oped a geographical information system (GIS) upon the methodological advances of Reed that is being used to produce a color topo- Beaman for the interpolation mapping of taxon graphic map of Mount Kinabalu. The map will distributions. He is creating an automated document locations where all specimens have approach and prototype for mapping the geo- been collected and show the names of rivers, graphical distribution of biological specimens streams, other landforms, and settlements. that would parse label data and generate proba- Satellite imagery and global positioning system bilistic surfaces of taxon distributions, abandon- (GPS) data have made it possible to show the ing the traditional techniques of manual dot- locations of major and minor roads. The mapping. He defines an interpolation map as a imagery will be used to interpret the occurrence 'spatially visualized measurement of confidence' of ultramafic substrates, vegetation types, pri- based on where a group of specimens was actu- mary and secondary forests, and vegetation ally collected. He is currently working on a test associated with human activities. Surface mod- case, the Urticaceae of the Flora Malesiana elling techniques will be used to predict where region, to generate data for distribution patterns taxa occur in unexplored areas, based on the of species of this family on Mount Kinabalu. topographic and edaphic characteristics of More importantly, his innovative approach - or where they are known to occur. The GIS is the alternative specimen-occurrence prediction intended to help integrate taxonomic and eth- algorithms already in use - could be used to nobotanical data in Kinabalu Park management enhance estimations of the distributions of key activities and to help in monitoring such plant resources, and their proximity to Dusun aspects as ecotourism development and illegal communities. This baseline data would permit a harvesting activities. This technology will be future analytical and quantitative study of com- extended to determine the sources of plants munity access to, and preference for, plant used by local people and, in particular, to resources. understand if communities have access to all the forest resources they were using before the creation of Kinabalu Park. Correlating elevation and use of The Kinabalu GIS, along with data on plant plant resources: distribution around Mount Kinabalu, will allow ecological ethnobotany us to create distribution maps for the Dusun Ethnoflora. These maps will show the principal We pointed out in chapter 1 that the majority of indigenous communities around the mountain, collections made by PEK collectors are from rel- with shaded areas of predicted and known distri- atively low elevations around Mount Kinabalu, bution of key plant resources. A key tool will be typically under 1,800 m asl. This is in part a relict the list of Dusun place names (Beaman et al. of our method as (1) we asked collectors to 1996), the toponym maps that John and Reed inventory, primarily, useful plants around their Beaman have developed, and the eventual list of communities, and (2) Sabah Parks only gave per- PEK toponyms with latitude-longitude coordi- mission in 1995 for village participants to collect nates and elevations. In addition, the location at higher elevations within the Park. Yet we map produced from the GIS will be essential in speculate that the concentration of collections at recording plant distributions and mapping vege- lower elevations also reflects the relatively rich- tational zones as defined by scientists and the er flora of the lowlands, hill forest and lower Dusun. montane forest around Mount Kinabalu. As can

26 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS be seen in Figure 3, the highest diversity of test the relationship between overall biodiversity Kinabalu dicotyledon species occurs at around and plant resources, the richness of dominants 1,500 m, where 543 taxa are recorded. This and indicator species was correlated with the graph closely resembles the one for Kinabalu number of useful species in the six zonal vegeta- orchids (Wood et al. 1993), but not that for the tion types. They determined that biodiversity is non-orchid monocots (Beaman and Beaman the major identifiable ecological correlate of use- 1998), which include many families that general- ful plant diversity - that is, higher percentages of ly occur at low elevations. Figure 3 shows that at plants are used in areas of high biodiversity than lower elevations, species diversity rapidly in areas of lower biodiversity. Salick et al. sug- increases with increase in elevation in hill forest; gest a number of questions that might be from 238 taxa at 700 m to 422 taxa at 1,200 m. answered by PEK in the future to follow up on The greatest diversity is in the next higher zone, this research: lower montane forest, which has 529 species at 1,300 m decreasing to 213 species at 2,100 m. • Is the Dusun knowledge base limited to Upper montane forest has relatively fewer nearby plants because of experience, his- species, with 177 recorded at 2,200 m and only torical loss of knowledge, and/or because 64 at 3,100 m. The summit area at the 3,200 m of cultural taboos associated with Mount level also has 64 taxa, with the number decreas- Kinabalu? ing to only 12 at the highest elevation. • When complete inventories of plant biodi- The Dusun people clearly have more plants versity are analyzed, is the direct associa- to choose from at lower elevations, but it appears tion with use retained? that they also use a higher percentage of the flora • Are plants on nutrient poor soils really at lower than higher elevations. As Salick et al. unused? (1999) observed, • How does disturbance, and in particular “One of the striking trends observed from the fire, affect access to useful plants? initial data generated in this project is that most • How closely defined is the Dusun sense of of the useful plants collected are close to human place and how does Mount Kinabalu, home settlement. Very few useful plants have been col- of the spirits, affect this sense of place? lected from high elevations or from ultramafic soils where people tend not to live and which Establishing one hectare plots: people tend not to cultivate. Potential explana- quantitative ethnobotany tions of this trend include (1) people frequent and therefore use plants close to human settlement, approaches (2) the habitats close to human settlements con- In the 1980s, Ghillean Prance and his colleagues tain more useful plants, and/or (3) people settle started to combine ecological and ethnobotanical near habitats where there are more useful approaches by carrying out systematic interviews plants”. with Amazonian Indians in one-hectare plots of In order to test the feasibility of these tropical forests (Prance et al. 1987). After demar- hypotheses, Jan Salick and her colleagues employed an approach adopted from ecological ethnobotany. They drew upon the ecological research of Table 12. Regions of homogenous geology within a defined Kanehiro Kitayama (1991, 1992), elevational range defined by Barkman et al. (1998). who sampled and defined 16 natural vegetation types, including six zonal vegetation types along an elevational Standard locality Elevation (m) Substrate gradient from tropical lowland rain forest, through montane rain forest, Hempuen Hill 500 - 1000 Ultramafic subalpine conifer and broad-leaved Dallas 500 - 1000 Sedimentary forests, to alpine scrub forest. 168 Poring 500 - 1000 Sedimentary-granitic plant species in 56 families and 99 Penataran River 1300 - 1500 Ultramafic genera were identified by Kitayama Peniguppan Ridge 1600 - 2000 Ultramafic as being either dominant or indicator Marai Parai 1000 - 2000 Ultramafic species in these various vegetation Pinosuk Plateau 1000 - 2000 Quaternary gravel types. Lower Gurulau 1800 - 2400 Sedimentary Salick collected data on the Summit Trail 2000 - 2300 Sedimentary Dusun use of these common and Pig Hill 2000 - 3200 Ultramafic characteristic species, based on inter- Upper Marai Parai 2600 - 3000 Granitic views with a single knowledgeable Kinabalu Lipson 3100 - 4094 Ultramafic informant, Alim Diun, a Dusun natu- Summit Area 500 - 1000 Granitic ralist from Sabah Parks. In order to

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 27 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS cating the plots, the researchers collected and Assessing conservation status: identified every species of tree of 10 cm or more in diameter at breast height. Once this forest criteria for assessing vulnerability inventory was done, they asked different groups John Dransfield and Dennis Johnson (1991) of informants the use of each species. drew upon information from the World Termed ‘quantitative ethnobotany’, this Conservation Monitoring Centre and the herbar- methodological approach revealed that indige- ium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to assess nous people were capable of identifying between the conservation status of 131 species of Sabah 48-95% of the individual trees in the one-hectare palms. For 113 species, they found that the con- plot, and that they use many more species than servation status was unknown, a situation that is was previously documented. probably similar for most plant species in Sabah. PEK participants gained some experience in They have the following to say about palms this technique when setting up a one-hectare plot found in the Kinabalu area, on Bukit Lugas near the community of “The conservation status of Sabah palms is Himbaan, guided by Balu Perumal of WWF hardly known… As far as can be determined, the Malaysia. After delimiting the plot, they tried most threatened palms are Salacca lophospatha their hand at recording the names, diversity, fre- (Extinct/Endangered) and S. clemensiana quency, density and uses of forest resources. (Endangered). The first is an endemic species This allowed Kinabalu Park staff to carry out a and has been given the same world classifica- preliminary assessment of the cultural impor- tion. The second also occurs in the Philippines, tance and conservation status of some palms, an its world classification is Unknown Classified as approach that could be expanded and made more Rare in Sabah and worldwide is the endemic rat- rigorous to provide quantitative data for some tan Calamus laevigatus var. serpentina and the species included in the Dusun Ethnoflora. salak palm Salacca dolicholepsis. Caryota no, Ideally, more permanent one-hectare plots in which also occurs in Kalimantan and Sarawak, primary and secondary forests at various eleva- is classified as Indeterminate in Sabah, but tions would be set up according to the cross-cut- Vulnerable on a world scale. Arenga retroflo- ting Dusun vegetation zones noted in Table 9. rescens, an endemic species, has been classified This would allow researchers to monitor the as Indeterminate, but is probably Endangered. impact of local resource management and to Only ten palms in Sabah are classified as Not assess the continuity of Dusun knowledge of Threatened.” plant resources.

600

500

400 Species Genera Number of taxa 300

200

100

0 0 500 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000

Elevation [m]

Figure 3. Elevational distribution of dicotyledons in families A-L on Mount Kinabalu.

28 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Drawing upon the literature: Despite continued use of the palms and destruction of their habitat, none of the 81 species detect- the contribution ed in the PEK and FMK collections is truly in dan- of bibliographic sources ger of disappearing from the Kinabalu Park area. In some cases, such as the robust rattan Calamus The rich history of botanical expeditions to ornatus, there are significant populations protect- Mount Kinabalu and other areas in Borneo (and ed within Kinabalu Park, safe from the danger of South-East Asia in general) has produced a over-harvesting from the wild. Apart from its use wealth of information on the ethnobotany of in making baskets, this rattan is in high demand plant resources, as well as reference works on the for furniture making. Other valuable palms, such distribution, reproductive biology and taxonomy as Calamus caesius, are cultivated by local com- of these species. munities or in plantations. Having been brought Odoardo Beccari’s (1996 [1904]) into cultivation, continued use of the palm for uses Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo is an such as traditional baskets can remain a part of excellent case in point. In April 1865, Odoardo subsistence production. As collections continue, Beccari, an Italian botanist from Florence, sailed palms formerly considered as narrow endemics, from Southampton, England to Kuching on the such as Arenga retroflorescens, are now known to island of Borneo, where he arrived in June of the be more widespread. Whether through protection same year. For the next two and a half years, in conservation areas or management by people, Beccari collected some 4,000 species of plants in we find that potentially vulnerable plant species the current Malaysian state of Sarawak. Excerpts are being protected. from his writings on palms (Box 4, page 33), If little information about plants is available from Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo, on a state level, how can we assess the conserva- show Beccari’s inquisitive mind and attention to tion status of palms and other useful plants detail, which led him to discover many new around a small area such as Mount Kinabalu? We species of plants, and to record insights about propose that studying a series of indicators would their local classification, use and management. allow us to identify vulnerable species (Box 2). Beccari’s writing - as well as other historical sources - allow us a unique perspective on the continuity of local ethnobotanical practices. Understanding the social Much of what he recorded about the local knowl- context of forest access: edge of palms is still valid today, although some transformation of Dusun use of the uses are no longer current in all areas of the island. Although Beccari did not collect and management of plant around the Kinabalu area, including information resources from his writings (and others of the same period) will provide an historical perspective to the A community-based inventory such as the PEK Dusun Ethnoflora. provides a broad but shallow understanding of the patterns of plant resource use and management. One of the goals of subsequent ethno- Summarizing the results: the graphic research is to flesh out this ethnobotani- ethnoPEK database cal sketch with information gathered through participant observation, interaction with infor- The EthnoPEK database, referred to in several mants and structured interviewing techniques. sections of this chapter, includes baseline data on An example of this approach is found in the some of the key parameters of Dusun ethnob- doctoral research of Agnes Lee Agama, spon- otany. In order to link this specimen-based data- sored in part by the People and Plants Initiative base with those developed for the Flora of Mount and related to the Projek Etnotbotani Kinabalu. A Kinabalu project, each record has fields for the PhD candidate in the Anthropology Department collector and collection number (and suffix, of the University of Kent at Canterbury, Agama where appropriate). Fields for botanical family, is preparing a thesis entitled Outside of Park species and infraspecific name (where appropri- Boundaries: Examining patterns of forest access ate) are updated regularly as John Beaman and of the Kiau Dusun in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo his colleagues make progress on the identifica- (Box 3). Her research will allow us to understand tion of PEK collections as part of their general the social context of plant resource use in the floristic study. community of Kiau, one of the original villages For the time being, only basic ethnobotanical involved in the PEK, an analysis that can be information is recorded. To assist in the analysis extended to other communities in the region. of ethnobiological classification, there are fields

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 29 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Box 2. Indicators of vulnerability of Kinabalu palms.

Studying a combination of biological, social and economic indicators allows identification of a preliminary list of vulnerable plant resources. As a test case, we plan to construct a matrix for the 14 indicators discussed below for the 81 species of palms included in the PEK collections. We list each indicator, discuss its relevance to the conservation status of palms and give the range of possible character states in brackets. This analysis mixes indicators which affect the vulnerability of the palms at the local (Mount Kinabalu) level as well as throughout their geographical range. Weighting of the relative importance of these indicators would be artificial, so the overall assessment would be based on detecting patterns of vulnerability - a combination of indicators that predisposes a species to over-harvesting. (1) Plant habit {thicket-forming, clustering, sometimes clustering, solitary}: Solitary palms - which have a single stem - are more vulnerable than clustering palms, which have several stems which grow from the same individual. When the stems of solitary palms are cut, the whole plant dies. When the stems of a clustering palm are cut, other stems can sprout from the base of the plant. Clustering palms that form thickets are the most resilient to over-harvesting. (2) Stem diameter {massive, robust, moderate, slender, very slender}: In general, the massive and robust species - which have a large cane diameter - require more time to grow to maturity than moderate, slender and very slender palms, and are thus more vulnerable to over-harvesting. Palms of various stem diameter classes are of commercial value or local importance, depending on the quality of the cane. (3) Stem length {stemless to 150 m}: Palms with long stems are more vulnerable than short-stemmed or stemless palms, because of two factors: they typically require a longer time to grow and tend to be in greater demand for subsistence and commercial uses. (4) Distribution {South-East Asian, Borneo endemic, East Malaysian endemic, Sabah endemic, Kinabalu endemic}: An understanding of the distribution of the palm species contributes to assessing their general conservation status. Those with relatively broad ranges, including species found through South-East Asia or Borneo are less likely to become threatened than narrow endemics (such as species found only in Sabah or on Mount Kinabalu). (5) Local frequency {all sectors, 3 sectors, 2 sectors, 1 sector}: Frequency is a measure of presence or absence of a species in a series of grid, quadrats or sectors. Based on ethnobotanical and floristic collections, we have assessed the frequency of palms in southeast, southwest, northeast and northwest sectors of Mount Kinabalu. Species found around the mountain are less likely to be threatened than those found in one, two or even three sectors. (6) Preferred vegetation zone {primary forest, old secondary forest, highly disturbed forest, cultivated vegetation}: Because of the increasing deforestation of areas outside the Kinabalu Park boundaries, species restricted to primary forest, such as Calamus ornatus, are more vulnerable than Calamus acuminatus and other species which grow in secondary forest and other disturbed sites. Some species, including Areca catechu and Metroxylon sagu, tend to be found in cultivated sites such as home gardens and agroforests, and are the least threatened. (7) Density in Sabah {abundant, common, frequent, occasional, scarce, rare}: Density, the number of individuals of a species per unit area, can be assessed quantitatively in measured plots or qualitatively over a defined range such as the state of Sabah. Vulnerability to overuse increases as density decreases. (8) Presence inside Park {present, absent}: Palms inside the Kinabalu Park boundary are protected by law; currently, local residents accept these restrictions on harvesting. Thus, species represented inside the Park are less vulnerable than those found exclusively outside the protected area. (9) Commercialization {international, regional, local, none}: Tendency to over-harvesting increases along with the scope of commercialization. Although most species are not sold, some are marketed locally (in rural marketplaces) or regionally (in urban areas such as Kota Kinabalu). Calamus caesius has a recognized international value. (10) Quality and preference {none, low, medium, high}: Palms which are recognized as the best in their use-class are more intensively harvested than second class or substitute species (e.g. Areca catechu gives a better betel nut than wild species of Areca or Pinanga; Calamus caesius is preferred over other rattans for basket-making; the quality of palm cabbage varies from one species to another). (11) Cultivation status {domesticated, cultivated, managed, wild}: Vulnerability to overuse decreases as local management of the species increases; domesticated, cultivated and managed plants are less impacted by heavy harvesting than wild plants. Some palms, such as Areca catechu are cultivated whereas others such as Eugeissona utilis are maintained in semi-cultivated states. Wild species - including the majority of rattans - are the most vulnerable to over-exploitation, particularly when no attempt is made to protect their habitat or stimulate their regeneration after harvesting. (12) Harvesting impact {plant fatal, stem fatal, non-fatal}: Many methods of palm harvesting involve cutting the main stem or stems. This destroys individual solitary palms and kills one or more stems of clustering palms, and thus has a potentially high impact on the species. Harvesting of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds is non-fatal and typically has a low impact. (13) Local perceived scarcity {not scarce, scarce}: Local impressions of scarcity can be an accurate guide to current levels of availability. (14) General conservation status {unknown, not threatened, indeterminate, rare, vulnerable, endangered, extinct}: Specialist assessment of the status of palms - though lacking for most species - can guide classification at a local level.

30 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Box 3. A synopsis of Outside of Park Boundaries, by A.L. Agama

Outside of Park Boundaries: Examining patterns of forest access of the Kiau Dusun in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo treats access to forest resources in terms of the knowledge and actual use of forest resources. Knowledge encompasses memory and basic recognition, perceptions, classification, mythology, geographic aspects such as location, distribution and density, taboos and specialized knowledge. The actual use of resources refers to the practices and skills involved in navigating the landscape, harvesting and collecting, domesticating, consuming, storage, taboos, and specialized acts or rituals. In addition to plant resources, Agama includes in forest resources anything in the forest that is or was significant to people's livelihoods - landscape and topography, weather, land, forest, water, soil, animals, insects, fish and so on. The primary research questions in the thesis are: (1) Are people accessing forest resources (what do they know and what are they using)?; (2) What are the general categories of these resources (and how are they being applied in daily life)?; (3) How do people perceive the forest (and are these perceptions changing)?; and (4) Are there correlations between access to forest resources and people's involvement in Kinabalu Park, perceptions of rural development in Kiau, and general ideas about forest conservation? The practical goals of the thesis are to predict - based on the patterns of access to forest resources - the impact of access or non-access to forest resources on the natural and cultural ecology, and the future role of Kiau's forests as part of a buffer zone to Kinabalu Park. In order to understand which components of the Kiau Dusun are becoming less dependant on forest resources - and if this influences the condition of the forest around them - Agama is using a variety of research methods. By mapping toponyms, carrying out freelisting of resources and interviewing people along a tree trail, she is documenting what people currently know. A photo study, interviews with specialists on crafts and medicinal plants and studies of harvesting practices will clarify how people actually manage and use resources. Participant observation provides information on the transformation of the role of the forest in community life, affecting uses for households (work, recreation and subsistence economy), food and medicine (agriculture, edible and medicinal plants from the forest); markets (such as commercial non-timber forest products); and foreigners (through the tourist boom). Grounded in leading theories of political ecology, the thesis begins with a discussion of research conducted in similar geographic circumstances, including studies on Kiau and other Dusun communities, and a brief overview of the work conducted by local and external researchers on other ethnic groups in Sabah. This research addresses themes such as the relationship between swidden communities and the market economy, the dynamics of the people and park interface, and the impact of urbanization on rural communities. Through this literature review, she is seeking to understand if the local community is becoming less self-reliant and more dependant on government (and relevant outside agencies) to provide for their welfare. Much of the thesis is based on anthropological research that Agama is carrying out in Kiau, one of the first villages involved in the PEK. She documents the history of the village and the surrounding area, drawing upon four main sources: anthropological publications and documents of the Chartered Company, interviews with informants in Kiau and in Kota Kinabalu, archival documentation from the Sabah Musuem collections, and field notes from botanical and zoological expeditions to Mt Kinabalu from 1885 to the 1930s. These historical sources are compared with the present day in Kiau. Agama describes - based on participant observation and interviews with informants - current living arrangements, social and economic variables such as land tenure, agriculture, hunting, fishing, livestock, non-timber forest resources, community health, wealth, education, employment, religion, rituals and social transformation. She focuses in particular on practices that involve interaction with the forest in some way, such as land clearance, management of domesticated and semi-domesticated crops, and access to plant resources. Agama seeks to place these changing practices within the larger context of state and national development in Sabah and Malaysia. The empha- sis is on three main forces that place pressure upon and influence traditional lifestyles in Kiau. First, she uses comparative data from twenty Dusun communities to address the significance of Mt Kinabalu to the people who live around it, and the importance of the biodiversity of the mountain to local government and research bodies. She discusses the establishment of Kinabalu National Park (1972) and its subsequent impact on local communities, especially at Kiau. Second, she focuses economic and political developments in Sabah after independence in 1963. A key element in this discussion is the politics of Kadazandusunism (and later deviations of it), because it represents a major factor that has determined national and state policy on rural development, and the movement of the [Kadazan] Dusun people to the forefront of employment, educational opportunities and economic power. Third, she provides a brief section on the international conservation agenda, including a description of the application of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Agenda 21 by the local government and other local actors. She takes a critical look at whether people in Kiau are gen- uinely concerned about access to, and the fate of, forest resources, or if this is in fact an artefact of outside intervention. In a summary chapter, Agama will discuss how the patterns of forest access are linked to developments over the last thirty years in the Kinabalu area, and throughout Sabah in general. She will also seek to relate how these developments have transformed the social and economic pres- sures faced by people in Kiau and in turn, have impacted forest conservation. She will critically examine the factions within the Kiau community and consider the politics of resource ownership and use vis-à-vis the relationship to a protected area. She will rethink the way in which factors such as Kinabalu National Park, the mandate and direction of state rural development policies, and international pressure to involve local people in forest conservation can have a positive impact on the situation in Kiau, by citing examples of collaborative forest management, buffer- zone management, and local participation in sustainable forest utilization.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 31 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Radiah Yadong, a Dusun craftswoman from Poring (Sabah, Malaysia) making a basket from stems of rattan (Calamus ornatus Bl.) and fern (Lygodium sp.). If materials are sustainably harvested, production and sale of • cultivation status, handicrafts can provide a sustainable income based on the ethno- for community members. Photo credit: botanical ground- Michael J. Doolittle truthing described for Dusun lifeform and above, including name. The locality where interviews with the specimen was collect- local people and ed is documented by both observations a Dusun toponym (pla- by cename) and the stan- researchers, dardized locality. The and the liter- vegetational zone is ature; • described according to ecological the local classification information system in the Dusun on density, vegetation type field. dominance Plant utility is current- and fre- ly described by indicat- quency, ing if the plant is used derived from for medicine, food, con- the literature struction, fuel, orna- or the one- ment, crafts or other pur- hectare plots poses. established In the course of mak- around Mount ing the Dusun Ethnoflora, Kinabalu; • the EthnoPEK will become a conserva- relational database comprising tion status, drawing a specimen-based component upon the literature, and a species-based component, documents from the related by species name. The current World Conservation specimen-based component will be Monitoring Centre and expanded to include additional data and analysis of indicators of vulner- memoranda fields, including the following: ability, as discussed above; • • elevation range and latitude-longitude excerpts of bibliographic sources that pro- coordinates, drawing upon the list of Dusun vides insights and comparative data on the toponyms documented through the history of plant resource classification, groundtruthing process; management and use; • vegetation types as classified by the Flora The latitude-longitude coordinates will of Mount Kinabalu project (lowlands, hill allow the specimen-based database to be inte- forest, lower montane forest, etc.) grated into the Kinabalu GIS developed by Reed The new species-based component will Beaman and his colleagues. This GIS will be include following information in data and mem- capable of generating distribution maps for spe- oranda fields: cific plant resources, as described above. • detailed descriptions of the use and man- In the next section, we draw upon the inven- agement of the species, in Dusun commu- tory of palms of Mount Kinabalu - the original nities and elsewhere in Borneo and other focus of the Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu - to pro- parts of South-East Asia; vide an example of how the information from the • general distribution, around Mount EthnoPEK database can be extracted and written Kinabalu (drawing upon the inventory up in a form that can be further developed in the data) and throughout the range of the Dusun Ethnoflora. species;

32 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Box 4. Excerpts from Odoardo Beccari’s Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo

ARECA CATECHU: MANAGEMENT AND USE OF A PALM RESOURCE "The Areca catechu, or 'pinang', is perhaps in strict parlance not a fruit-tree, because its nuts are not eaten, but merely chewed, as all know. It is to the Malay what the camel is to the Arab: it has followed him in all his wanderings. It may be safely asserted that there is not a Malay hut near which at least one of these most elegant of palms is not seen growing. Like the mangosteen, it belongs to that series of cultivated plants whose origins is a mystery. But there can be no doubt that the habit of chewing it, together with siri, or betel leaves, and lime, has spread from tropical Asia to the Indian Archipelago, and thence eastwards across Melanesia to Polynesia. In Borneo the pinang nuts have a part in various rites and ceremonies of the Malays and Dayaks." (Ibid:27) ARENGA BREVIPES: ANTHROPOGENIC AND NATURAL DISPERSION OF PLANTS "Although I can have no doubt as to the primeval condition of the Mattang forest, yet on the spot where I had built my house were indications that at some time it may have been the abode of man. I was led to think this by the large bamboos I found growing there. Cultivated bamboos do not grow and multiply spontaneously in the primeval forests of Borneo. They are reproduced by division of the root, and perhaps sometimes by cuttings, but they rarely blossom and still more rarely produce seed … At this spot there was quite an accumulation of beautiful plants, no doubt brought about by the many seeds and fruits carried thither from all parts of the mountain by the waters of the stream. Amongst them I may mention a new and magnificent palm (Arenga brevipes) …" (Ibid:110). ARENGA UNDULATIFOLIA: MULTIPLE USE OF PLANT RESOURCES To start a fire "...they now prefer the usual flint and steel, using as tinder the lulup, a soft cottony down which clothes the dilated base of the young fronds in some palms, on the inner part, towards the center of the bud. The best quality of lulup is produced by a species of wild Arenga palm (Arenga undulatifolia Becc.), but the common Arenga, the Coco, and other palms, also yield it." (Ibid:237) "The wood of A. undulatifolia is hard externally, but soft and rich in fecula within, so that it yields a species of sago. The central bud, or cabbage, is excellent eating, and from the hard cortical layer of the midrib, which splits easily longitudinally, the Kayans make their sumpitan darts or arrows." (Ibid:284) CALAMUS SPECIES: COLLECTION OF GOOD QUALITY HERBARIUM SPECIMENS "In this same locality, I collected at least twenty species of rotangs (Calamus) and hence I named it the "Rotang Valley". Many a time I lacerat- ed my skin and tore my clothes in making herbarium specimens of these plants, some of which have stems as thick as the wrist and a couple of hundred feet in length, and are defended by a formidable array of thorns. On account of the difficulty in collecting and in preserving these plants botanists usually content themselves with very imperfect specimens which enable these rampant climbers to ascend and hold on to trees; nor do they preserve the leaf-sheaths which envelop the stem and are the parts most covered with these thorns. Yet these are precisely the parts which it is most essential to have and to study for they present the characters on which specific distinctions are principally based, and by which the species of the genus Calamus can be distinguished." (Ibid:114) CALAMUS SPECIES: EDIBLE PLANTS AND THEIR PROTECTION AGAINST HERBIVORY "It must be laid down as a general rule that when plants are provided with spines or thorns they possess nutritive qualities, and are sought after by animals. The Calami, and other thorny palms, have a central bud or 'cabbage' (umbut) - a most delicate morsel, much relished by many animals, monkeys amongst others; and if this most essential portion of the plant were not well defended, it would be easily damaged or destroyed" (Ibid:114) CALAMUS JAVENSIS AND RELATED SPECIES: DISTRIBUTION OF A PLANT RESOURCE "The Singhi Dyaks occasionally, though rarely, ascend the mountain in search of very slender rotangs which grow nowhere else in these parts, and which they apply to various uses. We also found them abundant here, and collected a quantity; the Malays call them 'rotang rawat': i.e. brass-wire rotangs, or 'rotang tikus', i.e. mouse rotangs, to denote their diminutive size. Some of them when cleaned are hardly more than one- fifteenth of an inch in diameter, the stoutest being one-fifth of an inch. They belong to a variety of Calamus javensis, or a very closely allied species." (Ibid:71) CARYOTA NO: TOLERANCE AND MANAGEMENT OF PLANT RESOURCES IN HOME GARDENS "On the Singhi hill I also met with a splendid, and at the same time more or less useful, palm, which is in general allowed to grow near the houses. One might almost imagine it a cultivated species, yet it produces itself naturally by seed. I am alluding to the magnificent Caryota, which the Singhi Dyaks call 'kayuno' and the Malays call 'baroch'. In the rich soil around the houses this palm shows an extremely powerful growth, its stems attaining a height of forty to fifty feet... The Kayu No is by the Singhi Dyaks only used for certain long black fibres, known to them as 'tal- ionus', which they obtain through maceration from the midribs of the leaves, and use for fishing lines. These same fibres, woven with strips of the aerial roots of Eugeissona, and of rotangs, are used to make cylindrical baskets called tambuk, and for similar kind of work." (Ibid:231) EUGEISSONA UTILIS: PROTECTION OF KEY PLANT RESOURCES IN SWIDDEN FIELDS "...is a wild species which produces sago of good quality, and this explains its abundance in cultivated localities, for had it been useless it would have been destroyed with the rest of the forest." (Ibid:249).

Source: Beccari, O. 1996 [1904] Wanderings in the Great Forests of Borneo. Singapore, Oxford University Press.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 33 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS The palms of Mount Kinabalu (Sabah, Malaysia)

When the Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari ject of the first section of the Dusun Ethnoflora set foot in Borneo in 1865, palms loomed large that we are developing. After some notes on the on the horizon. In Wandering in the Great classification, distribution and completeness of Forests of Borneo, he writes of his arrival to the the survey of palms, we provide descriptions of Sarawak River on the eastern side of what is now the 81 species - distributed in 19 genera - found the Malaysian part of Borneo: around Mount Kinabalu. Each description con- “Within the river mouth the scenery is at first tains the following information, when available: highly picturesque ... Both banks are covered • Complete scientific name, as identified by down to the water’s edge with the vegetation John Dransfield for the PEK and FMK peculiar to these tropical estuaries... Large • Dusun name(s) as noted on ethnobotanical tracts are entirely covered with the Nipa palm vouchers and in groundtruthing exercises; [Nypa fruticans], whose leaves are very like • Dusun uses and management, as noted on ethnobotanical vouchers and during inter- Amongst the vegetable forms of views with community members around the Park; a markedly tropical type which greatly predominate in Borneo, the palms are conspicuous. Odoardo Beccari those of the coconut. Beautiful as they are, they become extremely monotonous after a time, packed closely together and without variation either in appearance or height. More elegant are the Nibong palms [Oncosperma filamentosa], also very abundant, with straight and slender stems, crowned with a tuft of delicate fronds finely divided and drooping in graceful curves.” By the turn of the century when these memoirs were published, 25 genera and 130 species of Bornean palms were known, most of them described by Beccari from collections he made during his sojourn of nearly three years on the island. Now more than 135 years after Beccari began his explorations, some 270 species in 28 genera have been described in Borneo. In Borneo and other parts of South- East Asia, palms are not only diverse but also ecologically dominant and economically important, a fact reflected by Beccari’s observation that, on a walk through the tropical forest, rotans (rattans) “... of a great variety of species also abounded, rendering progress through the jungle extremely difficult, though they Lorin Lugas, a Projek Ethnobotani Kinabalu collector from compensate for this by their many useful Melangkap Tomis (Sabah, Malaysia), cleans an edible palm qualities”. heart from Arenga undulatifolia Becc. This palm is often left Because of their ecological and ethno- growing when secondary forest is cleared for gardens. botanical importance, the palms are the sub- Photo credit: Michael J. Doolittle

34 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS • Classification, uses and management else- patterns of consensus on naming between com- where in South-East Asia, derived from the munities (Table 13). literature cited; Of the 48 species of rattans, distributed in 6 • Botanical description and distribution genera, only a few which are very distinct mor- drawn from the botanical literature; phologically, common, or of high economic • Conservation status, based on preliminary importance appear to have standard names (Table appraisal of the various indicators of vul- 14). Some common names are used for a range of nerability as discussed in Box 3.1 and on species. For example, borit is used for some slen- the literature cited. der rattans such as Calamus elopurensis, C. gibbsianus and C. laevigatus var. laevigatus. Another A note on local classification of name for slender rattans is logong; it is applied to C. blumei, C. gonospermus and other species. The palms name lambat is typically used for stemless or Although most plants are included in one of the short-stemmed rattans such as Daemonorops major Dusun life-forms kayu (tree), sakit-sakit microstachys and Calamus tenompokensis and (herbs and grasses), wakau (woody vines, in may even be applied to the non-rattan Salacca many communities) and tangau (herbaceous clemensiana, but is also used for vining rattans vines in many communities), palms have an such as Daemonorops longipes which often form exceptional position in Dusun botanical classifi- low thickets. While there does appear to be a cation. All rattan palms with vining stems are logic to the naming of rattans, additional research included in the life-form tuai in most Dusun is needed to clarify these nomenclatural patterns. communities around the perimeter of Kinabalu Park - such as Kiau, Melangkap, Serinsim, DISTRIBUTION Sayap, Bundu Tuhan - but are considered wakau For the purposes of analyzing the distribu- in Nalumad, Poring and Takutan. The bush or tion of the palm collections, the Mount Kinabalu tree-like palms, including species in diverse gen- area was split into four geographical sectors, era such as Arenga, Areca, Caryota, Licuala, each measuring approximately 20 km by 20 km Salacca and others, are simply referred to as (400 sq km), as described in Table 15. Using a palma, a life-form term which is a loan word, preliminary inventory of palms (before the com- probably from English. Traditionally, the various plete inventory was finished), we counted the folk generics that correspond to these non-vining number of palm collections and species by sec- palms were probably unaffiliated to any life- tor. The variation in species recorded probably form. Over time, acculturated Dusun speakers reflects the differing numbers of collections have borrowed the term palma as a life-form between sectors, and not the true distribution of which groups these species. palms. This pre-test of patterns of distribution Many of the 13 genera and 33 species of indicates that additional collections of the palm non-rattan palms collected by PEK participants flora need to be made before similarity coeffi- have distinct names and there are relatively clear cient analysis could be carried out on these data.

Table 13. A comparison of Dusun names for non-rattan palms in five communities around Mount Kinabalu (names in parentheses indicate presence of the name, but absence of the palm).

Palm species Bundu Tuhan Kiau Poring Sorinsim Takutan

Areca catechu lugus lugus lugus lugus lugus Arenga brevipes / karumbohoko karumbohoko / karumbohoko Arenga undulatifolia (polod) (polod) polod polod polod Caryota mitis betu betu betu --?-- betu Caryota no toyon toyon / giman giman/[toyon] Cocos nucifera piasau piasau piasau piasau piasau Eugeissona utilis (luba') (luba') luba' luba' (luba') Licuala spp. (silad) / silad / silad Metroxylon saga rumbiyoh rumbiyoh rumbiyoh rumbiyoh rumbiyoh Oncosperma horridum (telibung) (telibung) melugus melugus telibung Pinanga spp., Areca bumburing bumburing bumburing bumburing bumburing kinabaluensis Salacca spp terintid torintid begung begung begung

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 35 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Table 14. Some Mount Kinabalu rattan palms known by widely accepted Dusun names

Scientific name Dusun name Features

Calamus acuminatus, C. javensis peles typically unarmed, slender rattans used for tying C. amplijugus sumempuun, menempuun widespread, thorny, excellent cane for tying C. caesius sege high-quality, commercially important, moderate rattan used for weaving and binding C. ornatus lesun robust ratttan used for furniture and basket-making C. pogonacanthus sumiliu moderate rattan with broad, concave spines; produces a relatively good quality cane C. zonatus, C. muricatus paket slender to moderate rattan with wavy ridges along its stems Daemonorops sabut sulak, salapangan moderate rattan with distinctive, spiny collared ant galleries along its stem Korthalsia hispida, K. robusta lasas rattans which house abundant, noisy ants Plectocomia mulleri sareh, mangkawaian robust, high-climbing rattan with dense whorls of spines Plectocomiopsis geminiflora temberuah moderate to robust rattan with edible palm cabbages

Alternatively, ethnobotanical groundtruthing I. Areca (asking about the presence or absence of specific palms in communities, along with field visits to attest for the presence of some palms), along 1. ARECA CATECHU L. with application of GIS distribution estimation Dusun name(s): lugus in all communities. There algorithms, could provide the missing data. are apparently no named varieties. Dusun uses and management: The species is COMPLETENESS OF THE PALM SURVEY cultivated in home gardens and other cultivated In the second chapter of this working paper, areas in villages. The seeds are sometimes inten- we discussed the role of community collectors in tionally planted but trees also sprout voluntarily completing the floristic survey of Mount Kinabalu. from fallen fruits. Betel nuts are harvested from In the case of palms, PEK collectors were able to the beginning of October until January, fading record 74 of the 81 known species. What can be out in February. They can become scarce as early said about the palms that were missed by local col- as May with little supply until October. There are lectors? The explanations provided in Table 16 some years of particular scarcity. For example, in indicate that eleven species of very localized distri- 1992 fruits cost up to 50 sen each, whereas the bution (often at higher elevations inside Kinabalu usual price is 20-30 seeds for a rinngit. Fruits are Park or in other areas not covered by local collec- preserved by burying them in the soil or keeping tors) and limited utility were not recorded in the them moist in a plastic bag or in a basket. They original PEK survey. Five of the species have now often sprout but are still edible in this condition. been collected, as they were targeted by the Sabah They are consumed with sirih (Piper betel) as in Parks PEK team in order to complete the collection other parts of South-East Asia. The young palm of ethnobotanical data, or detected once determina- heart, available throughout the year, can be tions were completed by John Dransfield. cooked with meat and eaten in a stew. The thick-

Table 15. A preliminary count of the number of collections and species from the ethnobotanical and general floristic survey in four geographical sectors of Mount Kinabalu.

Sector Collections Species PEK FMK Combined PEK FMK Combined

Northwest 42 2 44 27 2 29 Northeast 41 18 59 25 10 32 Southwest 82 180 262 38 28 44 Southeast 256 128 384 46 41 64 Total 421 328 749 71 49 77

36 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS ened leaf veins are used to make brooms, to 3 m long, with narrow, closely-arranged although coconut is much more commonly used leaflets. The inflorescences are produced below for this purpose. The veins are cut from the leaf the crownshaft. The ovoid fruits are green when stem and the leaf blades are removed. The veins immature, ripening to a bright orange. Although are tied in bundles and used as a whisk broom. unknown in the wild, betel nut is cultivated in The stem can be split into four sections and used plantations, village orchards and home gardens underneath bamboo for flooring in houses, as it is throughout India, South Asia and South-East said to strengthen the floor and make the bamboo Asia. It is cultivated as a commercial crop in the last a longer time. coastal plains of the mainland of India, on a num- Classification, uses and management else- ber of India’s islands (Basu 1991:13) and in where in South-East Asia: The betel nut is one many other parts of Asia. It may occasionally of the most widely used palms in South-East Asia, become naturalized in the forest, especially at and is cultivated throughout the region. The seeds sites previously occupied by people. Betel nuts are sliced and combined with lime and betel pep- grow best in open forest vegetation or cultivated per (Piper betel) and other ingredients to form a areas ranging from sea level to 700 m asl typi- chewing-wad which is said to relieve hunger, cally in the lowlands or areas of hill forest, but fatigue and various illnesses. The juice of the they can be found growing up to 1,500 m eleva- chewing-wad causes the saliva, teeth and lips to tion. They may be monocropped or mixed with turn red. Mogea (1991:40) reports that in annual or perennial crops. Indonesia the leaves are used as thatch, the leaf Conservation status: Neither rare nor threat- sheaths as containers and the trunks for wood. The ened as a species, but the status of many varieties seeds, in addition to their use as a masticatory, are and cultivars unknown. The species is wide- employed in veterinary medicine and as a source spread and cultivated and is in no danger of being of dye. According to Kiew (1991:105-106), the overexploited or endangered by habitat loss. betel nut plays an important part in Malay tradi- However, the fruits are extensively sold in local tions and ceremonies. However, she notes that markets and exported from some countries; cigarette smoking is displacing the custom of apparently little research has been carried out on chewing betel. Pearce (1991:155-156) records the impact of this trade on local varieties and cul- ceremonial use of various parts of the palm by the tivars or on the closest wild relatives (such as A. Ibans, Bidayuhs and Malays of Sarawak. She also concinna of Sri Lanka), some of which may be notes that the Ibans use the spathe of the inflores- endangered. Madulid (1991:209) lists two cence as a container to carry food when they trav- Philippine endemic varieties which are classified el. Madulid (1991:187-188, 245), in an update of as threatened: A. catechu var. batanensis and A. Brown & Merril’s (1919) work on the utilization catechu var. sylvatica. No detailed studies have of Philippine palms, provides an indication of the been carried out on the varieties of betel nut wealth of minor uses and virtues attributed to the around Kinabalu Park. betel nut. The leaf sheaths are used to wrap pack- ages, are made into hats by the Manobos, serve as 2. ARECA KINABALUENSIS FURTADO inner soles of slippers and as a device for cracking Dusun name(s): bumburing is a probable name nuts. The husks of the fruits are used as tooth- in all communities, verified in Poring and brushes. The fruit is taken internally as a stimulant Takutan with a voucher specimen and in Bundu and tonic and is used externally as an astringent. Tuhan with field collections. Residents of When young it is a purgative and when mature, a Serinsim speculate that this species is a type of vermifuge. Although a potential source of excel- bumburing, suggesting that they are not familiar lent palm cabbage - used raw in salad or cooked with it because it grows at higher elevations. It is in the Philippines - the betel nut is apparently said to look like A. catechu, but is distinguished never used for this purpose in Indonesia, while in by its smaller size. Sarawak it is never felled intentionally to harvest Dusun uses and management: The ripe fruits the cabbage. The fruits are sold in local markets are used as a substitute for A. catechu, eaten with throughout the region. Madulid (1991) reports sirih (the Dusun name for Piper betle used in that since the 1950s, betel nuts have been export- betel nut chewing). This is a relatively common ed from the Philippines to China, Japan, Hong use in several communities, including Bundu Kong, Pakistan, India and Europe. Common Tuhan and Takutan. The fruits may be available English names are betel nut or areca nut, and the earlier than those of betel nut [DS 257, collected Malay refer to the species as pinang or pokok in June, and DS 330, collected in late July, has pinang. immature fruits], allowing a harvest in time of Botanical description and distribution: A betel nut scarcity. In the lowlands where this is moderately robust solitary palm which grows up not available, the inner bark or cambium of to 10 m tall. The slender stem is grey with dis- Artocarpus sp. is used as a substitute. In uplands, tinct rings. The leaf sheaths form a well-defined the cambium of Ficus sp., called bulana, is also crownshaft. The leaves are arching and grow up used as a substitute. The palm heart (called

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 37 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS umbut in Malay and temulek in Dusun - referring to the young growth) may be used as a vegetable, typically prepared in soup although this use Table 16. Nine palms appears to be uncommon. Mature and straight trunks can be used to make handles for spears. These were formerly used for hunting big ani- Species name mals such as wild boar, barking deer and sambar deer, but are now made only as ornamental objects, if at all. A good length pole (approxi- Calamus kiahii (now collected) mately 1 to 1.5 m) is cut to give balance and weight to the spear. Calamus mesilauensis Classification, uses and management elsewhere in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:134) Calamus optimus notes that native Areca species are little used in Sarawak, and A. kinabaluensis is one of 13 species which have no recorded uses in her list. Calamus scipionum No additional information has been recorded for Sabah or Kalimantan. Caryota no (now collected) Botanical description and distribution: A slender, solitary palm which grows up to 5 m Pinanga angustisecta tall. The stem is brown, but green towards the top. The crownshaft is well-developed, up to 60 cm long. The leaves bear up to 18 pairs of nar- Pinanga aristata row leaflets and a broad terminal leaflet. The fruits are pale white when young, ripening to red. Pinanga brevipes An endemic species of Borneo, it is widespread but locally scarce, the populations often consist- Plectocomia elongata (now collected) ing only of a few individuals. It grows in primary or well-developed secondary lower montane Plectocomiopsis mira forests from 1,200-1,800 m asl around Mount Kinabalu, where it is occasional to common in some localities. Ethnobotanical vouchers were Salacca lophospatha collected on hillsides in primary forest. Conservation status: Vulnerable. Although not heavily utilized and probably somewhat protected by its habitat (because more highland vegeta- Botanical description and distribution: A tion is included in Kinabalu Park than lowland slender, solitary, undergrowth palm with stems forests), it is a solitary palm, not very common reaching 2 m, but usually less. The stem is pale and endemic to Borneo. In time of betel nut brown, but green near the crownshaft, and has scarcity this species may be harvested more conspicuous ringed leaf scars. The crownshaft is intensively, but never excessively. Pearce pale green and up to 25 cm long. The crown (1991:157) considers the species vulnerable in bears about 8 finely divided leaves, these with Sarawak if causal factors continue. closely arranged, dark green leaflets. The leaflets are narrow and single-ribbed, except for the ter- 3. ARECA RHEOPHYTICA J. DRANSF. minal pair and sometimes the apical pair, which Dusun name(s): bumburing, probably in all are 2-3 ribbed. The fruits are green when imma- communities where it grows. Identity was con- ture and turn red upon ripening. Grows as a firmed by voucher specimen in Poring, and by rheophyte on the banks of fast-flowing rivers and collection in Takutan. This is considered the pro- streams in areas of ultramafic rock in the low- totypical bumburing in Serinsim. There are lands, extending up to approximately 400 m asl; apparently few named varieties of bumburing, only collected at Nalumad and Takutan around but people referred to Areca rheophytica and Mount Kinabalu. Endemic to Sabah, it is local- Pinanga spp. as bumburing puru meaning wild ized and rather rare. bumburing. Conservation status: Probably vulnerable. Dusun uses and management: The stems are Although not heavily utilized and probably use as the handles of spears formerly used in somewhat protected by its habitat (because some hunting. Straight and rigid stems are cut and then vegetation is often left along stream banks where dried in the sun. The fruits are eaten as a substi- the palm grows), it is a solitary palm, found tute for A. catechu in Serinsim. within rather narrow ecological limits. Classification, uses and management elsewhere in South-East Asia: No information available. 38 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS detected only in floristic collections, with possible explanations of why they were not detected in the ethnofloristic survey.

Explanation of absence in ethnofloristic inventory

Although abundant in valley bottoms of mid-montane forest on Mount Kinabalu, all known locations are within Kinabalu Park. This is a relatively short-stemmed, slender to moderate rattan that has no known use. An endemic species restricted to the Liwagu and Mesilau rivers and the Pinosuk Plateau, areas within the Park not yet visited by local collectors. A relatively short-stemmed, slender rattan that has no known use. A relatively uncommon species known from only one locality around Mount Kinabalu, where it has not been collected since the 1930s. A highly- prized rattan that is easily mistaken for C. caesius, which has been recorded in Nalumad and Takutan by local collectors. Spotted at Poring Hot Springs by John Dransfield, but never collected by botanists; assumed to be rare around Kount Kinabalu and likely confused with Calamus ornatus. An immense fish-tail palm that is quite rare around Mount Kinabalu. The only known record is a Kew photograph of an individual growing at Poring (taken by John Dransfield in 199?) A squat, undergrowth, stemless palm known from one locality on Mount Kinabalu within the Park; possibly among the 13 unidentified ethnobotanical collections of Pinanga. A slender undergrowth palm known from 2 localities around Mount Kinabalu; possibly among the 13 unidentified ethnobotanical collections of Pinanga. A squat, undergrowth, stemless palm known from one locality on Mount Kinabalu within the Park; possibly among the 13 unidentified ethnobotanical collections of Pinanga. A robust high-climbing rattan known in Sabah from 2 collections above 1200 m on Mount Kinabalu; no uses reported. Much rarer than the wide spread P. mulleri, a useful species that is found from lowlands up to 1400 m and has been recorded by local collectors in 3 communities. A robust high-climbing rattan with no known uses that has been collected from a single locality at Mount Kinabalu, within a generally deforested area not visited by local collectors. Less abundant than P. geminiflora, a useful species recorded by local collectors in Poring. An endemic, stemless, very spiny palm with edible fruit collected only once, in 1936. Thought to be a synonym of S. clemensiana, a useful species recorded by collectors in Bundu Tuhan and Takutan.

II. Arenga Sarawak. He suggests that the palm may be a source of sago. Pearce (1991:134) suggests that the edible palm cabbage - said to be sweet, soft 1. ARENGA BREVIPES BECC. and fine-grained - is among those marketed Dusun name(s): lihuan in Bundu Tuhan. karum- throughout the year in the Kuching Sunday mar- bohoko in Kiau, and karumohoko in Poring, ket. Dransfield (1984b) mentions that the leaves Takutan and Serinsim. are used as thatch. Iban names for the palm are Dusun uses and management: The leaves were aping and bo; the latter along with bohok used by formerly used as a thatching material for small the Punan of Sarawak are possibly cognate with huts (sinurambi in Dusun or pondok in Malay). the Dusun terms karumbohoko and karumohoko. The leaflets are bent over the rachis, which is Botanical description and distribution: A then hung on the side or roof of the hut. The palm robust, short-stemmed palm, with large leaves cabbage, which is said to be sweet, can be eaten that reach up to 8 m long. The leaf sheaths bear raw in the forest or can be brought home to be tough, black fibres. The leaflets are parallel- cooked in combination with chicken. Sago is sided, with toothed, rather blunt tips, often apparently not eaten in Bundu Tuhan, or in other arranged in groups of 2 or 3. They are dark green communities around the Park, but people are above and cream below. The inflorescences are aware that this could be an emergency source of massive, the male flowers smelling musty. The food. Some residents of Bundu Tuhan speculate fruits are light green. Common in steep-sided that it may have been used during the invasion of valley bottoms in upland areas of primary mixed the Japanese in World War II. It is reported to dipterocarp forest. Widespread throughout grow high in the hills, and is not cultivated but Borneo and in some mountainous areas of may be intentionally protected. Sumatra. Also found on Palawan Island in the Classification, uses and management elsewhere Philippines. Found in hill and lowland montane in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984:54) notes forests in communities on the western side of that the leaves are used for thatch by Penans in the Kinabalu Park, growing on hillsides and valley vicinity of Gunung Mulu National Park in bottoms, from 900-1,500 m asl (thus reaching PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 39 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS higher elevations than A. undulatifolia). and pull of very large fish. The palm cabbage can Conservation status: Insufficiently known but be eaten, but is considered too small to be worth- probably not threatened. It is a widespread abun- while harvesting. Residents say that there is a dant clustering palm found in upland dipterocarp large population of this species in the area. forests, which are less disturbed than lowland Classification, uses and management else- forests; commercialization localized. However, where in South-East Asia: none reported two common uses - for sago and palm cabbage - Botanical description and distribution: A slen- destroy the entire stem and could affect some der palm of 3 m. It is often stemless, but the stem populations of the palm. may reach 80 cm and is prominently ringed. The sheaths are brown with black fibrous margins. 2. ARENGA SP. ‘DISTINCTA’ MOGEA The leaves measure up to 3m long, with about 23 (INED.) narrow leaflets each side of the rachis. The low- Dusun name(s): Apparently unnamed in Dusun est 4 or so pairs are grouped together, and the Dusun uses and management: None reported. remainder are regularly arranged. The inflores- Classification, uses and management else- cences are erect, and emerge from among the leaf where in South-East Asia: none reported. bases or through the sheaths. Upon maturing, the Botanical description and distribution: A slen- fruits are reddish green and found in tight clus- der, clustering rattan, this species grows to a ters, unlike the fructescence of A. undulatifolia height of 2 m. The stem reaches a diameter of 1.5 which is more open. Found only in Sarawak and cm including the sheath, and is conspicuously Sabah, in secondary forests in the lowlands, ringed with leaf scars. Leaves are up to 1 m long, where it tends to grow in wet areas, often at the and bear alternately arranged leaflets, with up to edge of ponds and other bodies of water. 3 on each side of the rachis. The leaflets are Although found in Serinsim, it has not yet been broad, angular-ovate in shape, with a ragged dis- collected from other areas around Kinabalu Park. tal margin, and 3 prominent veins. This species is Conservation status: Mogea (1991:66) consid- very similar to Arenga hastata, except that the A. ers it a rare species. Curiously, Pearce (1991) hastata is paripinnate with divergent apical does not mention it in her account of Sarawak leaflets, whereas A. distincta is imparipinnate palms. Dransfield and Johnson (1991) note that with a terminal paddle-shaped leaflet. A. sp. ‘dis- its conservation status is indeterminate but prob- tincta’ is endemic to Borneo, where it is known ably endangered in Sabah, where it is a very from Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan. It grows localized endemic. It is apparently not heavily in lowland rain forest, up to an altitude of 500 m used. The collection from Serinsim was found asl, generally occuring on slopes and in valley near a swamp in secondary forest in an area that bottoms. Common names which have been had been accidentally burned in 1989. Very few recorded in Sabah include sasa hutan, anudur, specimens were found. kabal pisakwau. Conservation status: Insufficiently known but 4. ARENGA UNDULATIFOLIA BECC. probably not threatened. Although an endemic of Dusun name(s): polod, a name recognized in all lowland forest of Borneo, the clustering habit communities, even though the palm is apparent- and lack of apparent commercial or subsistence ly not found in Kiau and Bundu Tuhan. value of the species lead to low harvesting pres- Dusun uses and management: The palm cab- sure. The main threat is habitat destruction. bage is eaten, either fried or cooked in soup with fish or meat. The outer portion of the stem, when 3. ARENGA RETROFLORESCENS H.E. mature and hard, was used to make the shaft and MOORE & MEIJER point of blow-gun darts. The outer portion of the Dusun name(s): wango-wango in Serinsim. stem and the veins of the leaf can be used to fash- People from Poring, Bundu Tuhan and Takutan ion a home-made musical instrument called did not recognize a voucher specimen and could bubungkau (traditional Dusun instrument played not provide a name or use. In Poring, it was said in mouth) and the dried stems are used for sem- to resemble Arenga brevipes and it was suggest- poten (a basket) and sumpitan (blow-pipes). Soft ed that it may grow in wet areas, for example, pubescence at the base of the petiole is used as near waterfalls. tinder to light fires. The fine hairs are struck Dusun uses and management: An elderly man between two stones, causing them to ignite. The from Serinsim, Suin Gambud, remembers that leaves can be used for thatch. The fruits are con- the leaves were used formerly as roofing materi- sidered poisonous, although in Sayap the cooked al for thatched houses, but in general the leaves fruits are used as animal feed. The old stems, are considered too small for this purpose. The which rot on the ground, harbor edible larvae. stem is split into sections and used to tie thatch Classification, uses and management else- around the bamboo poles, which are then placed where in South-East Asia: Dransfield on the roof. The whole stem is used to make fish- (1984b:55) notes that this species is a source of ing rods, which are said to withstand the weight sago for the nomadic Penan of Sarawak, who

40 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS also harvest the edible palm cabbage. The leaves birds. In Takutan, people use this as a substitute are used as thatch and he states that the fibres of for true peles and sege, which are much more the leaf sheath and the ‘powder’ found on the peti- durable than the cane of this species. The sap can ole have a variety of uses. Blow-pipe darts may be be used medicinally for the treatment of boils, made from the split hard layer of the petiole, while according to residents of Bundu Tuhan. It was the pith is used as a plug (occlusion). Pearce formerly planted in Bundu Tuhan to be used as (1991:157) records the names jaka in Penan and string in rice fields or in making scarecrows. aping in Iban. The palm cabbage is available Classification, uses and management else- throughout the year in the Kuching Sunday mar- where in South-East Asia: Dransfield ket, but is only of local commercial importance. (1984a:140) notes that bundles of the stems, to Although not cultivated in the strict sense, there is be used as twine, are often sold in weekly mar- evidence that the palm is intentionally protected kets and roadside stalls in Sabah. Two common and encouraged around communities. Malay names - rotan padas and rotan peladas - Botanical description and distribution: A mas- may be cognate with Dusun. More probably, they sive, clustering palm with stems growing up to 3 have been borrowed into Dusun from Malay or m. The leaves are dull green with regularly vice versa. arranged leaflets. These are lobed and highly Botanical description and distribution: A slen- undulate, with a paler lower surface. The inflo- der, clustering rattan with stems climbing to rescences are pendulous, the male flowers with a more than 10 m. The stems with sheaths measure musty smell. The flowers are pinkish and the up to 8 mm, and the cane up to 4 mm. The fruits green. Widespread and abundant in the sheaths are usually unarmed or may bear scat- lowlands of Borneo and also found in Sulawesi. tered spines, and have a conspicuous ochrea. The Dransfield (1984b:55) suggests that this palm is leaves have up to 12 pairs of narrow leaflets, the same as A. ambong, which is found in the which are regularly arranged along the leaf axis. Philippines. The species, which grows in prima- The terminal pair are joined for about a third of ry and secondary forests around Kinabalu Park, their length, and the basal pair are usually swept is considered to be common in the forests of back across the stem. The mature fruits are small, Takutan. about 6 mm in diameter, and spherical. An Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson endemic of Sabah, widespread in the state and (1991:176) classify this species as not threatened particularly abundant in Tenom and Keningau in Sabah, and Pearce (1991:157) concurs for districts in secondary forest, growing in the Sarawak. The palm is heavily harvested in some shade. This species is closely related to C. javen- areas for its cabbage and to produce sago, which sis, a variable and common species which is kills the stem, but the clustering habit, abundance found in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. and semi-cultivation of the species ensure its sur- Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but vival. probably not vulnerable. An endemic to Sabah and commercialized locally, but not likely to III. Calamus become threatened as it is widespread and forms thriving clusters in secondary forests that are increasingly common in the state. 1. CALAMUS ACUMINATUS BECC. Dusun name(s): podos in Bundu Tuhan and 2. CALAMUS AMPLIJUGUS J. DRANSF. Kiau, polos in Poring. A distinction is made Dusun name(s): sumompuun in Takutan. between those plants from primary forest, polos Recognized as pumompuun in Bundu Tuhan, puru, and those from secondary forest, polos but not found there. Known as monompuun or tomulok. The names kuropit and logong were rapot in Poring, and the name rapot is also said also recorded in Poring, but these may be mis- to be used in the nearby community of Telupid. takes. In Serinsim, the voucher specimen was In Serinsim, residents identified the voucher said to be a type of logong, which appears to specimen as tunamid, but say that it is called refer to any slender cane that has prominent sumompuun in dialects from higher elevation nodes. No name was given in Takutan. communities. Lungot, from Kiau, is said to be a Dusun uses and management: The stems, similar looking palm, but the species must be whole or split into 2-4 sections, are used for lash- verified. ing and tying, particularly in the construction of Dusun uses and management: Long stems are houses, huts and other simple buildings. The used for tying and lashing in general (for exam- whole stems are used as the rim in wakid baskets ple, on parang handles) and in particular to make and hats, often tied in place by split stems of the furniture, pens (pagar) for animals, fishtraps and same species. The split stems are also used to household instruments such as the wakid and make bola takrew, the ball used to play sipak sikutan, typical Dusun baskets. The sheaths are takrew or Malaysian football. In Bundu Tuhan, removed from the stems, which can be used the cirrus is used to make a trap for snaring small whole without further preparation.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 41 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Classification, uses and management else- Conservation status: Insufficiently known but where in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984) probably not threatened because it is a wide- notes that the cane, used for tying and binding, is spread clustering rattan. of excellent quality. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- 4. CALAMUS CAESIUS BLUME der to moderately sized, clustering rattan, which Dusun name(s): sogoh in all communities. This reaches up to 20 m high, the stem without Dusun category probably includes Calamus opti- sheaths measuring up to 10 mm. The sheaths mus Becc. as well. bear numerous horizontal, pale green spines, and Dusun uses and management: The stems are have a well-developed knee. The leaves have up harvested and dried, then are used split or whole to 10 pairs of broad leaflets, which are conspicu- in the manufacture of a wide range of articles, osly 3-nerved. The basal pair are reflexed back ranging from handicrafts (such as the ball for across the stem, and the terminal pair are joined playing Malaysian football), to furniture. together for over half their length. Most common Bundles of 100 stems are sold for cash by some in lowland dipterocarp forest in valley bottoms members of the communities, often in the market and hill slopes up to 700 m asl; occasional on in Ranau. Although the species apparently grows ultramafic rock, where it is reduced in size. wild in some areas around Mount Kinabalu, it is Widespread in the lowlands of Sabah and partic- widely cultivated in secondary forests near com- ularly abundant in the eastern part of the state. munities. The people of Poring (where it is Also found in Brunei (Dransfield 1992: 156), scarce) apparently do not attempt to plant it, but Sarawak and perhaps in Sumatra. This species is know that it is common in Takutan and can also closely related to C. javensis, a morphologically be collected in nearby Lohan. In Bundu Tuhan, variable and common species which is found in Alim Buin’s grandfather tried to plant C. caesius Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. shoots and seeds, brought from Ranau, in the late Conservation status: Vulnerable. Although a 1960s. It did not grow because of the altitude but clustering rattan, it grows in the much disturbed now there is a large amount of planting in low- lowland dipterocarp forest and is harvested for its land areas. cane, which is commercialized. Pearce Classification, uses and management else- (1991:157) considers that the species is vulnera- where in South-East Asia: Used throughout its ble in Sarawak and likely to become endangered range as in Dusun communities. Pearce if current causes of degradation continue. (1987:240) records the name wee sega among the Iban (Pantu subdistrict, Sri Aman, Division 2, 3. CALAMUS BLUMEI BECC. Sarawak) and notes the species is found wild in Dusun name(s): logong, tindulong and kuropit lowland rubber plantations. It is the rattan most are all names which are used in Poring. used by the Iban for plaiting, lashing and fasten- Korthalsia rigida is also called logong here, this ing. The rattan stems are split and dried, and used classification presumably reflecting the similari- for making baskets and mats. Dyed black or red, ty in leaflet shape of these two species. they are used for making women’s rattan girdles. Apparently this species is known as potung in The Malay name is rotan sega. Pearce Telupid and also in Kiau. (1991:139) notes that it has been cultivated in Dusun uses and management: The split and Sarawak by Kenyah people of Long Selatong dried stems are used for tying and weaving in Kapit. Poring and Kiau. Botanical description and distribution: A clus- Classification, uses and management else- tering rattan of moderate size. The stems typical- where in South-East Asia: Dransfield ly form a dense clump, and can climb up to 100 (1984a:136) records that the cane is of good m. The stems without sheaths measure from 7-18 quality, but that it is not of commercial signifi- mm diameter, and those with sheaths up to 25 cance because the species is not sufficiently mm. The surface of the cane is highly polished, abundant. but the outer layer flakes easily on bending. The Botanical description and distribution: A clus- sheaths have a sparse grey covering and are tering rattan, which climbs to 20 m. The stem armed with scattered, pale, triangular spines. The with sheaths measures to 20 mm, and the cane to leaf is cirrate, with about 15 pairs of leaflets. 12 mm. The sheaths are dull green with a fine These are usually arranged in alternate pairs, and covering of greyish and brown scales, and bear have a pale blue-grey lower surface. This species short spines with swollen bases. The knee is con- is widespread in the lowlands of Sabah, and spicuous, and the flagellum reaches 1.5 m. The throughout Borneo. It grows in a range of habi- leaves are composed of 6 leaflets, which are tats, occurring up to 800 m asl. It is also found in broad diamond-shaped with entire margins. Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Palawan and Uncommon in Sabah. Found throughout Borneo, southern Thailand. Sumatra, Malay Peninsula and Southern Conservation status: Although of high com- Thailand. mercial value, the species is widespread, cluster-

42 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS ing, relatively fast growing and often cultivated 6. CALAMUS CONVALLIUM J. DRANSF. around Mount Kinabalu. Dransfield and Johnson Dusun name(s): tuuh in Kiau; sumiliu nuluhan (1991:176) consider that the status is insuffi- in Bundu Tuhan, where the name tuuh is used to ciently known in Sabah, but note that it is wide- refer to C. pogonacanthus. In Poring it was iden- spread in the lowlands of the state. Pearce tified from the voucher specimen as sumiliu, pos- (1991:162) conisders it vulnerable in Sarawak, sibly sumiliu himbaan (himbaan means primary particularly if continuing rates of harvesting and forest and plants growing here are usually more habitat destruction continue. Madulid (1991:210) spiny than those of the secondary forest, sumiliu classifies it as indeterminate, noting that it is the temulok). In Serinsim, the voucher was said to be preferred small diameter cane in Palawan and is a type of logong, which appears to refer to any overharvested by palm collectors in the slender cane that has a ridge around the node (i.e. Philippines. unlike the smooth slender canes such as podos and tunamid). 5. CALAMUS COMPTUS J. DRANSF. Dusun uses and management: The stems, split Dusun name(s): pakot in Serinsim. The name is into small sections, are used for tying and for known in Bundu Tuhan, but no collections have weaving baskets and sikutan. yet been made to verify the identification. Also Classification, uses and management else- known as pakot, or as ragi-ragi, in Poring. In where in South-East Asia: None reported, Serinsim, the voucher specimen was referred to although Dransfield (1992:131) notes that the as sogoh nuluh. No name is given to the species cane appears to be of good quality. in Takutan, although it is found in the forests that Botanical description and distribution: A clus- border Kinabalu Park. tering rattan which typically forms low, open Dusun uses and management: The canes are thickets. The stems without sheaths measure 10- used for tying and lashing in house construction, 15 mm in diameter, and with sheaths up to 25 particularly by poor people in villages, but it is mm. The sheaths are sparsely armed with black, not a commercial or preferred type of tying mate- flattened spines which are fringed with dark rial. The dried stems are used whole or split for hairs. The leaf grows up to 1.5 m long, with 12- making baskets and other handicrafts. In Poring, 20 narrow leaflets along each side of the axis, lengths of whole stem are used as rope to catch arranged in pairs. Those near the leaf tip are very buffalo. No use reported in Takutan. much smaller, some only 4.5 cm long. Reflexed Classification, uses and management else- black spines occur along the petiole edges. where in South-East Asia: Dransfield Infrequent and usually confined to valley bot- (1984:161) notes that although the cane is of toms; apparently rare on ultramafic rock and good appearance, it is relatively short, limiting its upland slopes. Although typically a lowland economic value. species, it is found up to 1,400 m asl in the Botanical description and distribution: Crocker Range and on the slopes of Mount Usually a solitary rattan, though very rarely clus- Kinabalu. Endemic to and scattered throughout tered, with slender to moderate stems, measuring Sabah and Sarawak. The specimen from Kiau up to 27 mm with sheaths, and 10-18 mm with- was 10 m tall and found growing in the shade of out. The bright green sheaths are armed with secondary forest (geuten). scattered, broad-triangular black spines, with Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but swollen yellow bases and hairy margins. The probably not vulnerable as it is a clustering rattan knee is conspicuous. The leaves are without a that tends to produce short canes that are not cirrus, and have 35-40 narrow leaflets each side intensively harvested. However, it is endemic, of the axis, borne close together. The young leaf infrequent and typically restricted to the low- axes are covered with rusty brown hairs. The lands and some populations may be probably mature fruit is round and covered with pale threatened by deforestation. scales with dark tips. The specimen collected in Serinsim is about 10 7. CALAMUS ELOPURENSIS J. DRANSF. m long and was found on a hilltop in secondary Dusun name(s): Apparently unnamed, though it forest. Endemic to Borneo; scattered in the low- may be referred to by names used for C. javensis. lands of Sabah and Sarawak but relatively rare in Dusun uses and management: The stems are Kalimantan. split, and used for tying and binding. Conservation status: Insufficiently known but Classification, uses and management else- possibly vulnerable. Although not commercially where in South-East Asia: Dransfield attractive and under little harvesting pressure, the (1984:142) reports no known uses, but suggests species is relatively infrequent in occurrence and that the cane may be used as C. javensis, which typically solitary in habit. As a lowland species is frequently collected for use as twine. endemic to Borneo, it may become increasingly Botanical description and distribution: A clus- scarce locally because of deforestation. tering, slender rattan, climbing to about 5-8 m. The

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 43 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS stems with sheaths reach 10 mm diameter, and the Botanical description and distribution: A clus- cane 6 mm. The sheaths are striate, covered with a tering rattan, which climbs to 10 m. The stems grey indumentum, and are usually without spines. are very slender, measuring up to 12 mm diame- The rounded knee is conspicuous, and the ochrea is ter with sheaths, and to 8 mm without. The dark triangular in shape, measuring up to 7 cm. The leaf green sheaths are sometimes armed with scat- is ecirrate, with 2 or occasionally 3 pairs of dark tered, short spines with swollen bases. The knee green leaflets, situated towarde the end of the is conspicuous. The leaves have a petiole and rachis. The leaflets are quite broad, to 5 cm wide, bear 3-4 pairs of leaflets. The leaflets are fairly and the terminal pair are joined for most of their narrow, up to 3.5 cm wide and have a pro- length. The petiole is covered in a dense grey indu- nounced drip tip. The terminal pair are fused for mentum. Found in hill forest on ultramafic sub- up to half their length. Found in lowlands and hill strate at Mount Kinabalu, but is more typical of forest in Sabah, where it is only known from the alluvial forest in the lowlands of eastern Sabah. An Crocker Range and Mount Kinabalu and in endemic species of the state. Brunei. In Sarawak it occurs in both lowlands Conservation status: Insufficiently known but and uplands. Ethnobotanical voucher collected probably not threatened. Although endemic to on hillsides in primary forest around 700 m asl. Sabah, it is a clustering rattan of little commer- Conservation status: Insufficiently known but cial value. probably not threatened. An endemic of Sabah and Sarawak, the species is clustering and not 8. CALAMUS GIBBSIANUS BECC. intensively harvested. Dusun name(s): Only recorded in Bundu Tuhan so far, where it is called borit. 10. CALAMUS JAVENSIS BLUME Dusun uses and management: The split and Dusun name(s): Naming is as variable as the dried stems are used for tying and binding. palm itself. It is called tuai kuriung in Bundu Classification, uses and management else- Tuhan, although a second specimen was identi- where in South-East Asia: None recorded. fied as wakau podos, and morompoun was given Botanical description and distribution: A as an alternative name; polos is the typical name highly variable, slender, clustering rattan, with in Poring, where it is also referred to as borit, stems climbing to 8 m, although rarely it is stem- monompoon, rapot and sumompoon; in Serinsim, less. The stems without sheaths measure 4-8 mm a voucher specimen was referred to as podos, and in diameter. The sheaths are armed with pale in Takutan as sumompoon. green scales and occasionally whorls of spicules Dusun uses and management: The mature are also present. The knee is well-developed. The stems are used for tying, and also for weaving narrow leaflets are regularly arranged throughout baskets and straps. the leaf. The lower surface is usually covered Classification, uses and management else- with dense, short bristles, and a tuft of orange or where in South-East Asia: Frequently collected rusty coloured hairs is always present by the for use as twine and an excellent cane for bind- rachis. The inflorescences have strongly ing (Dransfield 1992: 153). Pearce (1991:139) recurved branches with conspicuous bracts notes that it has been cultivated in Sarawak by below the flowers. Endemic to Borneo, where it Bidayuh people of Padawan Kapit. is found in lower and upper montane forests from Botanical description and distribution: This is 1,200-3,400 m asl. It is only known from Mount an extremely variable rattan. The stems are slen- Kinabalu and the Crocker Range in Sabah, and der and clustering, often forming low thickets. The from the Kelabit Highlands in Sarawak. cane measures 2-6 mm in diameter. The sheaths, Conservation status: Insufficiently known but which are often reddish in colour, may be probably not vulnerable. The species is cluster- unarmed or armed with short spines. The young ing, and significant populations are protected at ochrea is bright red, and reaches 10 mm in length. relatively high elevations in Kinabalu Park and The leaves bear 4 - 10 leaflets each side of the Crocker Range Park. axis, usually arranged in groups. The terminal pair are joined together for over half of their length, 9. CALAMUS GONOSPERMUS BECC. and the lowest pair are often reflexed back across Dusun name(s): logong in Bundu Tuhan; not the the stem. The ripe fruit is ovoid. Common logong nuluh of Poring, and not known in throughout Sabah, and on Mount Kinabalu where Serinsim or Takutan, judging by the reaction to it grows from 500 to 2,000 m asl in hill and lower the voucher. montane forests, and rarely in upper montane for- Dusun uses and management: The mature est, often on ultramafic soils. It is also common stems are dried, split and scraped to produce elsewhere in Borneo, and in West Java, Sumatra, weaving materials for making handicrafts. southern Thailand, Malay Peninsula and on Classification, uses and management else- Palawan Island in the Philippines. where in South-East Asia: None reported, but Conservation status: Insufficiently known but Dransfield (1984:130) notes that the fruit con- probably not threatened. A widespread, cluster- tains a sweet edible sarcotesta around the seed. ing rattan that is sometimes cultivated. 44 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS 11. CALAMUS KIAHII FURTADO Classification, uses and management else- Dusun name(s): pipit in Bundu Tuhan. where in South-East Asia: The cane is of excel- Dusun uses and management: Used occasionally lent quality, comparable to rotan sega, and can for tying and in construction. be used for furniture making. The yield is limit- Classification, uses and management else- ed by the solitary habit of the species. Pearce where in South-East Asia: None reported. (1991:139) notes that it has been cultivated in Botanical description and distribution: A Sarawak by Bidayuh people of Padawan. slender to moderate montane rattan, climbing to Botanical description and distribution: A soli- about 10 m. The stem without sheaths measures tary, moderate sized rattan, which climbs to over up to 10 mm in diameter, and to 18 mm with 30 m. The stem with sheaths measures up to 2 sheaths. The sheaths are mid-green, and armed cm. The sheaths are a dull or pale green, with a with sparse to densely scattered, broad triangu- conspicuous knee. Usually the sheaths are armed lar flattened spines. The leaf is cirrate, with with sparse, triangular spines with swollen bases. about 12 dark green leaflets on each side of the The leaf has a cirrus, and about 20 narrow rachis, irregularly arranged in groups of 2-4. leaflets each side of the rachis. The lowest pairs These are lanceolate ending abruptly in a point, are reflexed across the stem forming a chamber, and distinctly folded. The inflorescence is curv- sometimes used by ants. The upper leaflets are ing, grows up to 80 cm long, and bears up to 8 arranged in groups of 2-4, in which the leaflets partial inflorescences. The bracts are tubular, are fanned. A very widespread species found in with a rough surface, and conspicuously hairy primary and secondary forests on a variety of soil margins. The male branches reach up to 2 cm types at altitudes up to 900 m. Known from other long, and the female branches to 10 cm and are areas of Borneo and Malaya, though rather rare somewhat zig-zag. The mature fruit are round- in Sumatra. On Mount Kianbalu, the subspecies ed, about 2 cm diameter, and covered in 18 ver- is found in lowlands to lower montane forest. tical rows of grey-brown scales, with darker Ethnobotanical vouchers found on hillsides and margins. This species is endemic to Borneo, hilltops in primary forest. growing in montane forest. On Mount Kinabalu, Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but it is found in hill and lower montane forest from probably not vulnerable. It is abundant, wide- 1,000-1,800 m asl. spread and adpated to a variety of ecological con- Conservation status: Although a Bornean ditions. However, its solitary habit and excellent endemic, it is insufficiently known but probably quality leave some populations vulnerable to not threatened. It is short-stemmed, and not overexploitation. Another variety, Calamus lae- intensively harvested. Significant populations are vigatus Mart. var. serpentinus, is considered rare. protected inside Kinabalu Park. 12B. CALAMUS LAEVIGATUS MART. VAR. 12A. CALAMUS LAEVIGATUS MART. VAR. MUCRONATUS (BECC.) J. DRANSF. LAEVIGATUS Dusun name(s): sogoh nuluh in Serinsim, Dusun name(s): borit in Takutan, a name used Bundu Tuhan and Kiau. Nuluh or nuluhon means in other communities as well. Upon seeing the ridge or hill, describing the habitat where the voucher specimen, residents of Serinsim also species is found. gave the name borit for this species, also using Dusun uses and management: After removing lodukon or podos. The name borit may come the leaf sheath, the stems are split into 4, scraped from the sound made when the cane is broken, or clean, cut and dried to make handicrafts (such as more likely it is related to the small size and den- baskets) or to tie on the handle of parangs, the sity of growth of the palms. The name borit sheath of parangs and other instruments. exists in Kiau, but collections need to be made to Classification, uses and management else- verify the species. In Bundu Tuhan, this species where in South-East Asia: None reported. is sometimes called tuuh, whereas borit refers to Botanical description and distribution: A slen- C. gibbsianus. In Bundu Tuhan, Kiau and der, solitary rattan which can grow to over 60 m Serinsim, C. laevigatus vars. laevigatus and in length. The cane measures up to 4 mm in mucronatus are also called sogoh nuluhon, see diameter, and the stem with sheaths up to 8 mm. below. The dark green sheaths are armed with a few, Dusun uses and management: After removing small triangular spines, often with swollen bases. the leaf sheath, the stems are scraped clean, cut The knee is well-developed. The leaves are cir- and dried to make handicrafts including baskets rate and have no petiole. The leaflets, about 8 on and other ornamental objects. In Serinsim this each side of the rachis, are lanceolate with nar- species was said to be useful for making barait row tips, often arranged in pairs, and the lower- (backpacks) and animal traps. In Bundu Tuhan, most reflexed across the stem. Found on ultra- stems were used traditionally to make snares for mafic substrates in Sabah. More widespread else- barking deer. The palm cabbage, reported to be where in Borneo, often growing on poor soils on bitter, was formerly used as emergency food in ridge tops. Ethnobotanical voucher, 5-8 m long, the field to reduce thirst and hunger. from hilltop in secondary forest. PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 45 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Conservation status: Species is local in Sabah, 14. CALAMUS MESILAUENSIS J. DRANSF. apparently only on ultrabasic rock; elsewhere Dusun name(s): Unknown, as no collections widespread but never very abundant. Local in have been made by local collectors. Sarawak; elsewhere widespread in Borneo but Dusun uses and management: None reported. never very abundant Dransfield (1992:106). As Classification, uses and management else- with C. laevigatus var. laevigatus, the solitary where in South-East Asia: None reported, but habit and excellent quality leave some popula- Dransfield (1984:107) reports that the cane tions vulnerable to overexploitation. appears to be of good quality though rather short. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- 13. CALAMUS MARGINATUS (BLUME) der, clustering rattan which climbs to about 10 m. MART. The stems without sheaths measure about 8 mm Dusun name(s): kopit in Kiau and Bundu in diameter, and with sheaths reach 15 mm. The Tuhan. Apparently also called sogoh nuluhun in sheaths are armed with large, triangular, dark Kiau, but this may be an error. In Poring, it may brown spines with hairy margins and swollen be considered a type of sansarabon, judging yellowish bases. The knee is conspicuous and the from the voucher specimen, and residents of flagellum short, to 5 cm. The leaf is cirrate and Serinsim say that it is not kopit or pipit in their bears about 10 leaflets on each side of the leaf community. axis, arranged in four groups of 2 or 3. These are Dusun uses and management: The mature armed with a few black bristles at the tip. Known stems are used for the rounded framework only from lower montane forest on Mount (pomolokou) woven inside carrying baskets Kinabalu, from 1,200-1,700 m asl. (wakid). Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but Classification, uses and management else- probably not threatened. Although an endemic where in South-East Asia: Dransfield restricted to lower montane forest, the species is (1984b:161) notes that the cane, which is coarse clustering and has short canes that are of little but durable, is used for the framework of carry- commercial value. ing baskets and for walking canes. Botanical description and distribution: A 15. CALAMUS MURICATUS BECC. moderately robust rattan, usually with solitary Dusun name(s): pakot in Poring and Takutan. stems which climb to over 15 m. The stem with Dusun uses and management: None reported sheaths reaches 35 mm diameter, and the cane Classification, uses and management else- 18 mm. The dark green sheaths are densely where in South-East Asia: None reported armed with flattened, triangular black spines up Botanical description and distribution: This is a to 4 cm long. Those around the leaf sheath solitary and slender rattan, which reaches up to 10 mouth are erect and can be as long as 14 cm. A m tall. The stem sheaths are bright green and black indumentum covers the sheath, and the densely armed with wavy circular ridges which knee is swollen. The leaf petiole has a grooved bear minute prickles and broad triangular spines. upper surface and is armed with groups of On drying, the sheaths become a dull brown with spines along the margins and a row of spines on a reddish cast. The knee is similarly armed and the lower surface. The leaflets are regularly conspicuous. The leaf does not bear a cirrus and arranged, narrow and with slightly thickened grows up to 1.1 m long. The petiole is conspicu- margins. On the lower surface, the main veins ous and armed with spines and ridges near the are armed with short bristles. The male and base. The leaflets, up to 30 on each side of the female inflorescences are very long, sometimes rachis, are regularly arranged. They are linear, more than 5 m, with pendulous branches. dark green with bristles along the main veins, and Widespread from sea level up to 1,800 m asl in on drying become a dull brown/red colour. The both primary and secondary forests in Sabah inflorescences grow up to 3 m and bear about 4 and common in other parts of Borneo, but partial inflorescences. These bear many crowded rather rare in Sumatra. On Mount Kinabalu, branches, appearing congested. The mature fruit found in hill forest and lower montane forest, are rounded and covered in vertical rows of pale often on ultramafic soils, from 700-2,400 m brown scales. The seed’s endosperm is deeply asl.The specimen from Kiau was growing to a ruminate. This rattan is endemic to Sabah, where height of 3-4 m on a hillside in secondary for- it grows in hill dipterocarp forest, and reported in est (geuten). lowlands around Mount Kinabalu. Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but probably not threatened. Although of solitary probably not threatened. Scattered localities habit, it is a widespread, common rattan that is throughout Sarawak. Elsewhere in Sabah, Brunei adapted to a broad range of ecological conditions and Kalimantan. Endemic to Borneo and of soli- and has poor quality, often short canes, that are tary habit, the species has short canes of little not commercialized. subsistence or commerical value (Dransfield 1992:176).

46 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS 16. CALAMUS OPTIMUS BECC. for houses. In Takutan, the dried but unsplit Dusun name(s): Probably considered a type of stems are used to make tables, chairs and walk- sogoh, but not yet collected by Dusun collectors. ing sticks, and formerly were used as spear han- Dusun uses and management: None reported. dles and hammers. The fruits may be cooked Classification, uses and management else- together with fish, giving a sour taste. They may where in South-East Asia: Highly sought after also be eaten raw, and are compared in flavor and rattan, producing a good quality cane, slightly texture to torintid (Salacca). The palm cabbage, larger in diameter than that of C. caesius. Pearce roasted in the fire, is good for stomach ache and (1991:139) notes that Kelabit people of Pa Tik, in the treatment of high blood pressure, but is Sarawak are experimenting with the cultivation said to be bitter. The palm cabbage is eaten as a of this species for production of cane. cooked vegetable. The sap of the vegetative Botanical description and distribution: A shoot is tapped to make bajar, a fermented drink moderately robust rattan, this species grows to - the tip of the vine is bent over into a receptacle over 50 m. The stem diameter is 15 mm without and the shoot is cut, causing the sap to drip out. sheaths, and to 30 mm including the sheaths. This bajar is considered to be of lower quality These are dark green and are scattered with large, than that made from the sap of Plectocomia. The convex-based, triangular, black-tipped spines, store keeper of Serinsim, a woman, noted that the and abundant black scales. The knee is very fruits are edible but some men said they were prominent. The leaf is cirrate, the cirrus reaching eaten only by animals. All concurred that the 1.5 m, with a short petiole, usually of less than 5 unsplit stems could be used to make walking cm. There are up to 8 leaflets on each side of the sticks and spear handles, but these are apparent- rachis, arranged in groups of 2 or 3. These are ly uses of the past. There is an interesting folk large, stiff and either narrow-ovate or spathe- tale about orang-utans that grow too fat to climb shaped and hooded. The upper surface is dark- trees anymore. Apparently because of their age, green with conspicuous transverse veinlets, and a they acquire some kind of a mystical power. pale indumentum covers the lower surface. The They wear cane of this species as a kind of belt leaflet margins are armed with short, black bris- (bototut), which brings fortune and power to any- tles. The ripe fruit is ovoid and covered in 15 ver- one lucky enough to find one in the forest. tical rows of pale yellowish-brown scales. This Classification, uses and management else- species is endemic to Borneo. It is known from where in South-East Asia: The durable, large- scattered localities throughout the island, but is diameter cane is used for furniture making always rare. It grows in lowland dipterocarp for- throughout the range of the species. The base of est, alluvial forest and also in forest transitional the flowering stem is fused to the cane, making it between kerangas and lowland dipterocarp for- uneven and of reduced quality and value in com- est. Found in lowlands and hill forests on Mount parison to other robust rattan species. Pearce Kinabalu, from 600-1,100 m asl. (1991:139) notes that Kelabit people of Pa Tik, Conservation status: Vulnerable, as it is a val- Sarawak are experimenting with the cultivation ued species that is widespread but rare, and of this species for the production of fruit and apparently not cultivated. cane. Botanical description and distribution: A 17. CALAMUS ORNATUS BLUME robust, clustering rattan, which reaches heights Dusun name(s): losun in Takutan and Poring. of over 50 m. The stem with sheaths measures up This rattan is also known as kowiten kusai in to 7 cm diameter. The cane has prominent nodes, Poring, particularly among the older generation; and measures up to 4 cm. The sheaths are armed (kowiten ‘to pull’ and kusai ‘man’ - is said to be with large, flattened, triangular, black spines, derived from the observation that women are not with yellow bases. The knee is conspicuous, and strong enough to pull the vine out of the canopy); the flagellum reaches over 10m in length. The in groundtruthing exercises in Poring, communi- leaves bear 20-30 leaflets each side of the rachis. ty members identified this rattan as losun or The largest are 80 x 8 cm, but they decrease in kowiton, smaller individuals are called losun size towards the leaf tip, to 4 x 0.5 cm. The ripe gobup (gobup meaning monkey). In Serinsim, fruit is ellipsoid, and covered with dull black the name bontai was given by a group of men scales. Common and widespread in good soils of who reviewed a good quality herbarium speci- primary dipterocarp forests in the lowlands in men; they asserted specifically that it was not Sabah; widespread in other parts of Malaysia as losun. It is called mangkawayan in Bundu Tuhan, well as Indonesia, Philippines, Celebes and although in Kiau this name refers to Plectocomia Southern Thailand. Found in lowlands and hill mulleri. forest of Mount Kinabalu from 600 to 1,100 m Dusun uses and management: In Bundu Tuhan, asl. Ethnobotanical vouchers collected on hill- the cane is split and used as the framework of sides of old forest. baskets that are sold in markets and roadside Conservation status: Vulnerable. Although rel- stalls. The leaves are used as thatching material atively common and widespread, it is a solitary

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 47 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS rattan of good diameter, length and quality that 1,500 m asl on Mount Kinabalu. Said to be com- make it commercially attractive. In addition, it is mon in Poring, Bundu Tuhan and probably in the higly sensitive to habitat disturbance, growing on other communities. prime sites for swidden agriculture. A basket Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but maker selling her wares in the Ranau monthly probably not threatened. Although it is an market remarked that there is no more of the cane endemic with good quality commercial cane, it is in her kampung, apparently because of destruc- a clustering, common species that is tolerant of tion of the primary forest where the species is habit disturbance. found. She purchases it from a neighbouring community in which the cane is also becoming 19. CALAMUS PRAETERMISSUS J. DRANSF. increasingly scarce. Dusun name(s): kopit in Serinsim; pipit sansarabon in Takutan. 18. CALAMUS POGONACANTHUS BECC. Dusun uses and management: The stems are Dusun name(s): sumiliu in Sayap, Kiau, Poring, used for the frames of baskets and furniture, and Takutan and Bundu Tuhan. This rattan was also are also said to be used in house construction. referred to as tuai motorisu (meaning solitary rat- Classification, uses and management else- tan), and as tuuh in Bundu Tuhan, although the where in South-East Asia: None reported, but latter name may be an error. Residents from Dransfield (1984:107) reports that the cane Serinsim, upon reviewing a specimen of C. appears to be of good quality though rather short. pogonocanthus, say that it is not sumiliu but is Botanical description and distribution: A clus- perhaps a low quality substitute for sogoh (C. tering, moderately sized rattan, climbing to over caesius or C. optimus). 25 m. The stem with sheaths measures up to 35 Dusun uses and management: Mature stems, mm diameter. The sheaths are densely armed with cut to size, split into sections and then dried, are brown spines, with pale green bases. Usually two used for tying, lashing and weaving. The stems sizes can be distinguished, the larger spines (up to are sewn together to make mats in Kiau and in 30 mm long) scattered throughout the sheath, and Poring. The split stems are thinned by scraping the smaller spines (to 7 mm) arranged in whorls. and then used to weave baskets (bakul), back- The knee is conspicuous. The 12-20 leaflets on packs (barait) and straps. The whole stems are each side of the leaf axis are regularly arranged used for the frames of baskets, or can be tied or and quite distantly spaced. They are usually lance- nailed together to make picture frames and other olate and the main veins on the lower surface are handicrafts. In Takutan, the stems, rendered armed with bristles. This species is abundant in strong by drying, are used to make the frames of the lowland dipterocarp forests of Sabah, growing nyiru (Malay, rilibu in Dusun), a pear-shaped up to 900 m asl. On Mount Kinabalu, it is found in tray employed to winnow rice. The palm cabbage lowlands and hill forest, generally on lower is said to be bitter, but becomes palatable by slopes. It is endemic to Borneo, where it is also roasting the upper part of the palm in the fire. known from East Kalimantan. Rats apparently eat the young leafy shoots of the Conservation status: Although an endemic of palms. Formerly, the shoots of this palm were Borneo, insufficiently known, but probably not planted in secondary forest in Bundu Tuhan to threatened because it is an abundant, clustering ensure a suitable supply for house building, but species that is of limited commercial potential. this practice has mostly been abandoned as equivalent materials or alternative ones can be 20. CALAMUS TENOMPOKENSIS FURT. purchased from outside. Dusun name(s): lambat in Bundu Tuhan; Classification, uses and management elsewhere sorusut in Sayap. Apparently never seen in in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984:116) notes Poring, Takutan and Serinsim, judging from the that the Iban of Sarawak use this good-quality voucher specimen. cane as a substitute for rotan sega (C. caesius). Dusun uses and management: Stems may be Botanical description and distribution: A clus- used for the framework of traditional baskets and tering, moderate sized rattan, the stems with wakid. sheaths measuring up to 25 mm. The sheaths Classification, uses and management else- bear scattered spines with concave bases and where in South-East Asia: None reported black hairy margins. The knee is conspicuous, (Dransfield (1984:107). and the flagellum small, to 30 cm. The leaf has a Botanical description and distribution: A clus- cirrus and 20-35 leaflets each side of the rachis, tering, short-stemmed rattan, the stems only often arranged in groups towards the leaf tip. The growing to 2 m. The stem diameter reaches 2 cm main veins are armed with bristles on both the with sheaths, and 1 cm without. The sheaths are upper and lower surfaces. Endemic to Borneo, green, but are covered with a brown indumentum, where it is widespread in Sabah and other areas. and are armed with numerous large, flat spines A variable species well adapted to a variety of with hairy margins. The knee is not obvious. The soil and vegetation types, it is found in lowlands, ochrea is well-developed, up to 15 cm long and hill forest and lower montane forest from 600 - spiny. The leaf includes a robust petiole, armed 48 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS with long spines, and up to 20 regularly arranged IV. Caryota leaflets. These have a tuft of orange hairs on the undersurface next to the rachis, and the apical pair are joined for over half their length. Endemic to 1. CARYOTA MITIS LOUR. Borneo where it occurs in montane forest. Known Dusun name(s): botu in all communities. from Kinabalu and the Crocker Range in Sabah, Dusun uses and management: The palm cab- and also on Gunung Mulu in Sarawak. On Mount bage is eaten cooked, accompanied by chicken or Kinabalu, found in hill forest and lower montane other meat. In Bundu Tuhan, Poring, Serinsim forest from 1,200-1,800 m asl. and perhaps other communities, the palm cab- Conservation status: Although endemic to bage is considered to be especially good for Borneo, insufficiently known, but probably not women who have given birth. Bulahuk Arum, an threatened. It is a clustering rattan with short elder of Serinsim, explains this belief by sug- stems of little commerical value. gesting that eating the cabbage increases the flow of mother’s milk. Arenga brevipes is also used in 21. CALAMUS ZONATUS BECC. Bundu Tuhan, and apparently preferred, for this Dusun name(s): pakot in Nalumad, Poring medicinal use. Leaves can be used as thatch Serinsim and Takutan. The same name is used in material for sulap, field houses. The long mature Bundu Tuhan, although the palm is not found nor stems can be used as bridges to cross over small used here (the reason given is that water buffalos streams. The fruits are considered to cause skin are not used to work wet padi, which is only rashes and itches, so caution is advised when found in lowland, flat areas). handling them. In Serinsim, the inflorescence Dusun uses and management: Stems are used hairs are considered to cause intense itching for tying in general and, in particular, to lash the when placed on people or monkeys, causing plow - used in wet padi cultivation - to the water them to ‘scratch themselves to the bone’. In buffalo. Used to catch buffalos in Poring and Takutan, there was a belief about not being able Takutan. The stems are used unsplit to avoid chaf- to find this palm if one looks for it just after a ing the hide of the buffalo and are sometimes child is born, as it is said to hide. It is necessary woven into strands of three to increase the strength to mark the place where it is growing before the of the rope. Because of its strength and durability, birth as an aid to finding it later. This palm was this is considered to be one of the best canes in formerly sought out by almost everybody, but lowland communities such as Takutan and Poring. use is now declining. The names leuteu (Punan Classification, uses and management else- of Sarawak) and bato (Tagb. of Philippines) are where in South-East Asia: Dransfield possibly cognate. (1984:156) notes that the split cane is used Classification, uses and management else- domestically for binding and tying. where in South-East Asia: The fishtail palm has Botanical description and distribution: A slen- a number of local uses, but is apparently not der or moderately sized rattan growing to 10 m. commercialized. Dransfield (1984:61) notes that Stems can be clustered or solitary, measuring up to the palm is a source of sago, although yields lit- 20 mm with sheaths, although usually less than tle because stems are slender. Mogea (1991:43) this. The cane reaches up to 7 mm diameter. The states that in northern Sumatra the trunk was for- sheaths are covered with a pale brown indumen- merly used as a source of starch and edible heart, tum, and are encircled by ridges. These bear minute but only in times of food scarcity. Basu teeth and scattered triangular spines. The ochrea (1991:22) records the use of the pithy core as a also has these ridges. The knee is well-developed. food source and of the leaves for garlands and The leaves have 10-25 leaflets on each side of the religious decoration in the Andaman and Nicobar rachis, and these are a shiny dark green. The young Islands. Pearce (1991:142-143) notes that it is a leaves are pale green, not pink, as in many other favorite sago source of the Penan of Sarawak and rattan species. Endemic to Borneo, but widespread that the cabbage is edible raw or cooked, but it is and common in Sabah as well as Sarawak, Brunei bitter and slightly irritating to the throat. and Kalimantan. It grows on ultramafic rock and Seedlings are sold in Kuching nurseries, where sedimentary soils in lowland dipterocarp forests, they fetch a relatively low price because they but not in peat swamp forest. Found in lowlands have lost market share to exotics. Madulid and hill forest on ultramafic substrate from 700- (1991:189) says that Caryota mitis and other 1,000 m asl on Mount Kinabalu. species of the genus are little used in comparison Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but to Areca and Arenga. Madulid (1991:249), in an probably not threatened. Often clustering, this update of Brown & Merril’s (1919) work on the rattan has canes of apparently no commercial utilization of Philippine palms, confirms that the value and harvesting for local use is limited. palm is a source of sago and cabbage, but of rel- However, it is an endemic species found in a atively low quality. He notes that there is a mod- somewhat restricted ecological zone that is often erate level of exploitation in Palawan, where disturbed by people. wild seedlings are gathered for sale in markets as

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 49 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS ornamentals. The plants bring a relatively high last longer (10 - 20 years) than poring bamboo price in Manila markets. It is often grown as an (10 years or less), but the manufacture is difficult ornamental throughout its range. The name bato, and time consuming work. Apparently not plant- one of the local names in the Philippines, is cog- ed, but some individuals found in communities, nate with the Dusun term. The Punan of Sarawak maybe planted; however, many are found in refer to it as leuteu, another possible cognate. Tambunan which are said not to be planted. Botanical description and distribution: The Classification, uses and management else- only clustering Caryota palm, with stems grow- where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991: 142) ing to 15 m. The leaf sheaths are covered with a notes that the Penans of Sarawak extract sago dense dark-brown indumentum and form black from the stems. The palm gives a good yield of fibres as they disintegrate. The large leaves are sweet-tasting flour and ranks as the most appre- twice divided, with fish-tail shaped leaflets, also ciated of all sago sources. The palm heart is eaten with a brown indumentum. The inflorescences and considered to be of good quality, although are pendulous and bear spirally arranged yellow- there are reports that it is bitter. The Kelabits are ish flowers. The fruits are rounded and contain said to make leg bangles from the leaf sheath one seed, turning red and finally black on ripen- fibre, which has been reported as a source of tin- ing. Characteristic of disturbed areas in alluvial der and is made into fishing lines. Pearce states forest and in belukar in Sarawak. Widespread in that the palm is neither cultivated nor commer- undergrowth of primary and particularly sec- cialized. According to Mogea (1991:67), it is cul- ondary forests, occuring throughout South-East tivated as an ornamental in Indonesia. The name Asia. In general found in disturbed sites of low- iman from the Penan and Punan of Sarawak is lands and hill forest around 900 m asl on Mount probably a cognate of the Dusun term. Kinabalu.The specimen from Takutan was about Botanical description and distribution: A mas- 5m tall growing on hillsides and valley bottoms sive palm growing to 25 m tall. The solitary in secondary forest. The specimens from stems can measure 75 cm in diameter and are Serinsim ranged from 4-10m, found on hillsides conspicuously ringed with leaf scars. The leaf and valley bottoms in secondary vegetation. sheaths are covered with a brown indumentum, Conservation status: Pearce (1991:159) consid- and disintegrate into black fibres. The leaves are ers it not threatened because it is a clustering palm, huge, twice-divided and with dark-green fish-tail not a prime resource, widespread and grows in shaped leaflets. The purplish fruits are borne in disturbed areas; the conservation status in Sabah clusters, and contain 2 seeds. Characteristic of and at Mount Kinabalu is similar. Madulid relatively open sites in alluvial forest and also on (1991:211) classifies its status as indeterminate, talus slopes at the foot of limestone hills. Found and notes that the populations in Palawan, in scattered throughout Borneo, where it is endem- forests near streams in the lowlands, are vulnera- ic, and almost always rare. On Mount Kinabalu, ble to habitat destruction caused by logging. found in lowlands and hill forest from 600-800 m asl; observed at Kaung and Langanan Falls in 2. CARYOTA NO BECC. addition to the localities of collection (Bundu Dusun name(s): toyon in Bundu Tuhan, Kiau Tuhan, Menggis and Poring Hot Springs). and Takutan. Giman in Serinsim and also Conservation status: Vulnerable. Although Takutan. In many communities giman refers to widespread in Borneo, it is never common in any the fibres along the base of the leaf. In Serinsim, sites. It has solitary stems, and the sago collection the name toyon exists but apparently refers to a occurs before flowering and fruiting, resulting in species that looks like a massive tolibung or destruction before regeneration. Its habitat is par- Oncosperma horridum, having spines and lack- ticularly vulnerable to deforestation; and exploita- ing the characteristic black hairs of giman. tion or elimination of the species is relatively Dusun uses and management: The fibres are intense. Dransfield (1991: 175) classifies the con- very strong, used for the trigger string in small servation status of the species as indeterminate in animal traps, used for rats, squirrels and possibly Sabah, but vulnerable on a world scale. birds. Four to five fibres are twisted together and used as rope in traps for barking deer. In V. Ceratolobus Serinsim, the black hairs are used as fishing line. These are former uses, as giman has been replaced by nylon rope. The two known giman 1. CERATOLOBUS CONCOLOR BLUME trees have been felled, and also one in Poring. Dusun name(s): lopot in Takutan; salapangan The giman is still used in more isolated commu- in Poring. nities in the interior for tying the handle of Dusun uses and management: Used occasion- parang and snares. The palm is eaten and consid- ally in construction. ered of high quality. The stems are cut and split Classification, uses and management else- and flattened into pieces that are 8 - 10 cm wide, where in South-East Asia: None reported. one trunk yielding 10 or more pieces. It is said to Botanical description and distribution: A slender, clustering rattan which climbs to 15 m. The

50 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS stem with sheaths measures up to 15 mm diame- immature liquid endosperm as beverage and ter and the cane to 8 mm. The leaf sheath is mature endosperm as food, heart is eaten and armed with numerous erect black spicules borne there are many additional minor uses (Basu on low ridges. The knee is conspicuous. The leaf 1991:18,21,22; Madulid 1991:189,249; Pearce is cirrate with a very short petiole, usually less 1991:155). than 5 cm and up to 7 leaflets on each side of the Botanical description and distribution: A soli- rachis. These are diamond-shaped and dark green tary palm, growing up to 30 m tall. The stem is on both surfaces. The inflorescence is enclosed slightly swollen at the base, light grey and with in a large, flattened bract, which splits along its leaf scars. The crown bears about 35 leaves length. Widespread in the lowlands of Sabah. It which are spirally arranged, and up to 7 m long. is found scattered throughout the rest of Borneo There are up to 100 narrow leaflets regularly and also in Sumatra where it is rare. This rattan arranged on each side of the leaf axis. The fruit is grows in mixed dipterocarp forest, reaching an usually 20-30 cm long, rounded to ovoid, ripen- altitude of 600 m asl. It apparently does not ing to yellow or orange. Cultivated in the low- favour kerangas, waterlogged sites or ultramafic lands (up to 700 m asl) particularly in coastal soil. areas, in both home gardens and plantations, Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but often regenerating spontaneously. Unknown in probably not threatened. A widespread clustering the wild. The most abundant and widely distrib- rattan that is not commonly harvested. uted palm in South-East Asia. In Bundu Tuhan, it has become rarer than before, but is commonly VI. Cocos cultivated elsewhere in lowlands and hill forest. Conservation status: Not threatened, although some varieties have an indeterminate status. The 1. COCOS NUCIFERA L. species is cultivated and most uses are not Dusun name(s): piasau in all communities. At destructive. However, it has a solitary habit and least one variety - piasau kopal ‘ship coconut’ - some cultivars may come under pressure from is recognized. Its name comes from the legend disease and storms. that people leaving on sea journeys would plant this kind of coconut, which is short and produces VII. Daemonorops large, yellow fruits after only a few years. Upon returning from the voyage, the coconut trees would already be fruiting, providing a source of 1. DAEMONOROPS DIDYMOPHYLLA BECC. food and drink. Dusun name(s): Known as lomu lomu in Kiau, Dusun uses and management: The palm cab- lomok in Melangkap Tomis, and as lomok lomok bage is eaten, always cooked. Sap is harvested by in Sayap. It is lambat or tomborua in Bundu cutting the sheath containing immature inflores- Tuhan, where the name lambat is used to refer to cence. It is then fermented to make wine (bahar a number of Daemonorops species. No name in Dusun, or tuak in Malay); this can be made in reported in Takutan or Poring. In Serinsim, the any season of the year. The coconut milk is voucher was identified as pipit alansau ‘large drunk and the meat is eaten, and produces oil for pipit’. cooking. The leaves are used, but seldom, for Dusun uses and management: In Sayap the roofing houses. Leaf midveins are often used to split stems are used for tying, and the cirrus is make a whisk broom (leaf blade removed) or used to make animal traps. The cooked fruits are occasionally as a skewer for satay, but it is more also said to be eaten, although elsewhere the common to use wood or bamboo for this pur- fruits are not considered even as an emergency pose. The stem is used as firewood, particulary food source as they are sour and only tasted occa- where common (not in Bundu Tuhan but in sionally. In Takutan it was reported that the cane Ranau area). Household implements (mugs and is not used as it breaks too easily, nor is it used in spoons) are made from the coconut shell. Fibres Bundu Tuhan, Poring or Kiau. from the husk are attached to bamboo handles Classification, uses and management else- and made into brooms, yielding 1-2 brooms per where in South-East Asia: Dransfield husk. Brooms are also made from fibres (sarak) (1984a:53) states that the species produces a from the leaf-base. Hollowed out stems are used medium quality cane which is sometimes used, as honeybee hives. Stems are also used as simple split, in parts of the Malay Peninsula. He also bridges. notes that it is a source of dragon’s blood, a resin Classification, uses and management else- found on the scales of the fruits. This was for- where in South-East Asia: A widely employed, merly used medicinally and, among the Penan of multiple-use palm, commonly planted in rural Sarawak, as a colorant for tin-tipped blow-pipe and urban areas. The most common uses are: darts (Dransfield, 1984b:53; Pearce 1991:145). stem as wood, leaves as thatch and fibre, husk of In Sarawak, the fruits are said to be edible fruit as fibre, endosperm for oil, shell as fuel, (Pearce 1991:144).

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 51 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Botanical description and distribution: A mod- Poring it is known as lambat; not present or erate sized, clustering rattan that may climb as apparently named in Bundu Tuhan or Kiau; like- high as 15 m, but is often fertile when only ly present in Serinsim, but not yet collected. approximately 3 m. The leaf sheaths are dark Dusun uses and management: In Sayap the green and armed with scattered, somewhat cooked fruits are eaten and the stems are used for reflexed, grey to black triangular spines. The knee tying and for making furniture. No uses have is well-developed. The petiole is yellowish below been reported in Takutan. and dark green on the upper surface, and armed Classification, uses and management else- with short spines. These are arranged in dense where in South-East Asia: John Dransfield groups on the upper surface. Although variable, (1984:51) notes that it produces a coarse, medi- the leaflets are usually arranged in divergent, um-sized cane, but gives no specific uses or opposite or alternate pairs. It is one of only two notes on commercialization. species of Daemonorops in Sabah that produces Botanical description and distribution: A dragon’s blood. It is widespread throughout moderate to robust rattan that climbs to heights Sabah and other parts of Borneo, growing at alti- of 30 m. The stems are clustering, often produc- tudes of up to 1000 m asl, and is usually found in ing thickets. The leaf sheaths are dull greenish- moist sites such as lower hillslopes and particu- brown and are densely armed with shiny, flat- larly in valley bottoms of hill dipterocarp forest. tened black spines 10-20 mm long. The male and It also grows in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and female inflorescences look rather alike and are southern Thailand. At Mount Kinabalu, it is produced in abundance. These are erect when found in lowlands and hill forest. flowering begins and are enclosed in a persistant Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson bract which splits from bottom to top, revealing (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:160) consider that the inflorescence. Although endemic to Borneo, its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- it is widespread and abundant in disturbed vege- ently widespread in both states. Around Kinabalu tation in the lowlands of Sabah and elsewhere. It Park it is not threatened. It is a clustering palm is particularly common in secondary forests on which grows in a fairly wide range of ecological alluvial soils in lowlands but also occurs in hill niches. Although it produces medium quality forests up to 800 m altitude. cane, edible fruits and medicinal resin, there is no Conservation status: Pearce (1991:160) states it current commercial exploitation and limited sub- is not threatened in Sarawak. Dransfield and sistence use of these products around the Mount Johnson (1991:177) consider that its status is Kinabalu region. insufficiently known in Sabah, but note it is a widespread species. Although endemic to 2. DAEMONOROPS ELONGATA BLUME Borneo, it is abundant and widespread. It thrives Dusun name(s): An unnamed tuai collected in lowland secondary forest, which is increasing- only twice in Melangkap Tomis, Lorence Lugas ly common, and is a clustering palm with a ten- referred to it as tuai puru. dency to form thickets. Around Mount Kinabalu, Dusun uses and management: Used for tying it is not threatened. It is relatively abundant and in construction. around Poring and Takutan and is found in lower Classification, uses and management else- montane forest protected within the Park bound- where in South-East Asia: None reported. ary. Although it produces a coarse, medium- Botanical description and distribution: Leaf sized cane (Dransfield 1992:43), it has no current sheaths are dark green and rather densely cov- commercial value and is apparently not used ered with chocolate-coloured indumentum and even for domestic purposes. armed with abundant scattered or partially whorled black reflexed or erect spines to 30mm, 4. DAEMONOROPS INGENS J. DRANSF. usually much less, with pale bases; spines around Dusun name(s): ladawan in Melangkap Tomis; leaf sheath mouth erect papery, to 12cm. Knee ladanan in Sayap. poorly developed. Leaflets regularly arranged Dusun uses and management: Leaves used as below, irregularly arranged above. Scattered thatch in construction. throughout the lowlands of Sabay; elsewhere Classification, uses and management else- throughout Borneo, endemic (Dransfield where in South-East Asia: The leaves are used 1984:65). by the Penan as thatch for temporary shelters, Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but and the sweet fruit is eaten at Gunung Mulu in probably not threatened; not common around Sarawak (Dransfield 1984b). Mount Kinabalu. It is a clustering rattan that is Botanical description and distribution: A mas- apparently not commonly harvested. sive, clustering palm with short subterranean stems. The leaf is ecirrate, growing up to 6 m 3. DAEMONOROPS FISSA BLUME long, and with a leaf sheath which is open along Dusun name(s): toyon tokoda (small toyon) in its length. The petiole bears whorls of huge, Takutan, and pipit sansarabon in Sayap; in slightly reflexed pale yellow spines, which can

52 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS be up to 11 cm long. Indentations of these spines to Borneo, it is widespread, clustering and is able remain on the petiole surface, which is covered to grow in both primary and secondary vegeta- in a light brown indumentum. The leaf rachis is tion. Around Kinabalu Park, it is not threatened. armed with similar, but smaller spines, and bears There is no known commercial or subsistence some 35 leaflets on each side. These are regular- use and it is probably relatively widespread in ly arranged, dark green on both surfaces, armed lowland areas. with bristles along the margins, and end in a drip- tip. The inflorescence is infrafoliar and some- 6. DAEMONOROPS LONGIPES (GRIFF.) what arching, with branches crowded near to the MART. tip. At the base of each branch is a tattering, Dusun name(s): pipit in Kiau; pipit or brown, hairy bract. The female flowers are sansarabon in Poring, Serinsim and Takutan, brown with pink stigmas, measuring up to 11 x 6 where the names pipit timbaan (‘primary forest mm. The male flowers are relatively large, up to pipit’) and pipit sansarabon are also recognized; 7 x 4.5 mm. The mature fruits are very large, to among some speakers sansarabon is considered 45 x 20 mm, and covered in matt, rich brown to be a small-sized pipit. In Bundu Tuhan the scales with dark margins. Endemic to Borneo, species is called lambat, like most other this rattan is known from Sabah, Sarawak and Daemonorops. Lambat nuluhan, meaning ‘lam- Kalimantan. At Mount Kinabalu, it is found in bat from the hill’, is sometimes used, or lambat valley bottoms of hill forest. tagayo (‘large lambat’) to differentiate this from Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but more slender species. In Sayap it is known as probably not threatened. It is a clustering rattan waig-waig. that is apparently not commonly harvested. Dusun uses and management: The palm cabbage is eaten cooked, often in soup, in Poring, 5. DAEMONOROPS KORTHALSII BLUME Serinsim, Takutan and Bundu Tuhan, but is not Dusun name(s): sansarabon in Serinsim. In among the preferred species. In Sayap and Takutan, several names have been recorded: Serinsim, the peeled fruits are eaten. The stems, pipit, pipit sompuun, sarok and sumiliu (the name dried in the sun or smoked over a fire, are used in sumiliu is usually reserved for Calamus pogo- both Sayap and Takutan to make furniture. They nacanthus). There is some similarity between the were formerly used as spear handles in Serinsim, leaves of these two species, but the thorns on the Takutan (where one spear is left), and in Poring. sheaths are quite different. In Poring it is known Some community members say that spears were as sulak, ragi-ragi or pakama. The name lobur last used to fight the Japanese during World War has also been recorded here, though some people II. In Serinsim and Takutan, the leaves are sewn suggest that this name usually refers to a smaller together to make thatch. The stems, split into rattan. small sections, are widely used for tying and Dusun uses and management: In Takutan the lashing. In some communities, such as Poring, leaves are used for thatch, and in Poring the the stems may be used for walking sticks, stems are used for tying and binding. referred to as tongkat in Malay and sukud in Classification, uses and management else- Dusun. In Bundu Tuhan, the dried and split stems where in South-East Asia: Dransfield are said to be used in the manufacture of handi- (1984a:63) reports no uses, but suggests that the crafts such as bakul and wakid. cane is of medium quality. Classification, uses and management else- Botanical description and distribution: A where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:143- moderately robust, clustering rattan that reaches 144) reports that the split canes are used to lash heights of 15 m. The largest stems measure 1.5 axe-heads to handles and for tying in general. cm without sheaths and 3 cm with sheaths. The The fruits and palm cabbages are said to be eaten leaf sheaths are dull green and sparsely armed in Sarawak. with black spines up to 30 mm. These are typi- Botanical description and distribution: A cally uniform in length on any individual plant, highly variable, moderate to robust rattan. The except for those around the leaf sheath mouth stems are clustering, sometimes forming low which are larger and erect. The leaves are up to 3 thickets or, rarely, high climbing. The largest m long including a 1m cirrus, and bear up to 60 stems measure 5 cm in diameter, and when pairs of regularly arranged, narrow leaflets. stripped of sheaths, up to 3 cm. The leaf sheaths Endemic to Borneo, this rattan is widespread in are bright green and armed with large brownish- primary and secondary forests. It is typically black, flattened and reflexed spines that are often found in lowland or hill forest at altitudes of 700- arranged in horizontal rows. The leaves, which 800 m. sometimes have a short whip, are up to 4.5 m Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson long, including a 50 cm stalk. They bear between (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:160) consider that 30 and 60 pairs of leaflets, which are often its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- arranged in neat groups of 2-5. The species is ently common in both states. Although endemic very widespread throughout Sabah and is found

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 53 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS in other parts of Borneo, Palawan, Sumatra and not threatened around Mount Kinabalu. southern part of Malay Peninsula (Dransfield Clustering and abundant in various localities, 1992:79). It grows in a wide variety of habitats including many within Park boundaries. It from sea level up to 1600 m asl. The species has thrives in both primary and secondary forests and been collected at diverse localities in the low- is neither commercialized nor used for domestic lands, hill forest and lower montane forest from purposes. 900-1,700 m asl in Kinabalu Park. The ethnobotanical vouchers were collected from popula- 8. DAEMONOROPS MICROSTACHYS BECC. tions found on hilltops, hillsides or valley bot- Dusun name(s): pipit or sansarabon in toms in old primary forest or secondary associa- Serinsim. In Bundu Tuhan it is also sometimes tions in Kiau, Serinsim, Takutan and Bundu referred to as sansarabon, while in Takutan it is Tuhan. A sight record was made above Poring called pipit sansarabon. In Bundu Tuhan it is Hot Springs. The species is considered to be more commonly called lambat, like most other quite common in the forests of Takutan. stemless or short-stemmed Daemonorops. Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson Sometimes it is referred to as lambat tokoro in (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:160) consider that reference to the size of this rattan, since tokoro its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- means small. The name lambat is also used in ently widespread in both states. The species is not Poring. Not yet collected in other communities. threatened aroud Kinabalu Park. The palm is Dusun uses and management: The palm cab- widespread, clustering and can form thickets. It bage can be eaten in soup. In Bundu Tuhan and can survive in a wide variety of habitats, including Serinsim, the leaves are used for thatch. The both primary and seconday vegetation. No har- stems are used for the frames of baskets and vesting for commercial ends has been reported wakid in Bundu Tuhan. No uses reported in and the subsistence uses are minor and occasional. Poring. Classification, uses and management else- 7. DAEMONOROPS LONGISTIPES BURRET where in South-East Asia: In Sarawak, the Dusun name(s): lambat in Bundu Tuhan, and fruits (Pearce 1991:144) and palm cabbage lunggot or monompuun in Kiau. In Serinsim, (Kedit 1982) are eaten. some residents considered the voucher a type of Botanical description and distribution: A clus- pipit, but an elderly man who was more knowl- tering rattan, with stems not growing longer than edgeable called it tomboruah. No name given in 1 m. Including the sheaths, the stems can mea- Takutan. sure up to 5 cm diameter, but are usually less. Dusun uses and management: In Bundu Tuhan, The sheaths are covered with a brown indumen- the stems are used as the frames of baskets and tum, lack a knee, and are armed with spines up to wakid. No reported use in Kiau or Takutan. 3 cm long. The spines tend to point upwards Classification, uses and management elsewhere the leaf diverges from the stem. The where in South-East Asia: Dransfield leaves bear up to 35 leaflets, regularly arranged (1984a:68) reports that it produces a coarse cane on each side of the leaf axis. The inflorescences of no known commercial significance. are arching, with rusty brown branches. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- Scattered in Sabah and throughout Borneo, but der to moderate, clustering rattan that reaches nowhere common. It is usually associated with heights of 10 m. The stems measure approxi- poor soils, such as those of ridgetops and on mately 1 cm after the sheaths are removed. The ultramafic rock. Found in lowlands and hill for- sheaths are yellowish green and covered in dark est at Mount Kinabalu. brown fuzz. They are armed with numerous black spines up to 20 mm long. These spines are 9. DAEMONOROPS PERIACANTHA MIQ. fragile and often break off, leaving short stubs on Dusun name(s): logong or sansarobon in old sheaths. Around the sheath mouth, the spines Poring. The typical sansarobon is said to be D. are erect and papery reaching 6 cm long. The leaf longipes, but there is a perceived similarity in the is cirrate, and on each side there are up to 45 leaves and thorniness of the two species. leaflets, armed with small bristles on the main Dusun uses and management: The leaves are vein beneath. Endemic to Borneo, it is abundant said to be used for the thatch or walls of temporary in lower montane forest on the Crocker Range, shelters and also in making hats and handicrafts, Mount Kinabalu and parts of Sarawak. Around but these uses are minor and occasional. In Poring, Kinabalu Park, it has been collected between the stems were formerly used as spear handles and 900-1,800 m elevation in hill and lower montane may still be utilized as walking sticks. forest. Classification, uses and management else- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson where in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984a) (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:160) consider that notes that it produces a coarse cane, but does not its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- specify any uses. Pearce (1991:144) states that the ently common in some areas of both states. It is fruits are eaten in Sarawak and that the split canes

54 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS are used for tying fishtraps. The palm cabbage is m. The stems without sheaths measure some 3 said to be eaten by the Penan (Kedit 1982). cm in diameter, and with sheaths up to 6 cm. The Botanical description and distribution: A sheaths are dull green but the surface is almost robust clustering rattan with stems that climb up completely covered by abundant reddish brown to 10 m high, although sometimes very short- indumentum and brittle flattened spines. These stemmed. The stems without sheaths have a are black or pale-tipped and generally upward diameter of between 1.5 and 3 cm. The leaf pointing. The leaf stem is covered with partial sheath is green but densely covered with bright whorls of straw-colored spines up to 4 cm long. yellow brown, black-tipped spines of varying The shiny, dark green leaflets are stiff, usually length and pointing in several directions. The leaf folded lengthwise and regularly but rather dis- stem is greenish with two lateral yellow lines, and tantly arranged along the leaf axis. Endemic to is rather densely covered in spines, some grouped Sabah, where it is one of the commonest rattans. in whorls and others solitary. There are about 45 It is widespread in the lowlands up to about 700 leaflets on each side of the leaf and these are m elevation, growing in most types of dryland irregularly arranged in rather distinct groups of 2- forest. Two previous collections were made in 7. The species is widespread in Sabah and else- Poring at 600 m elevation. The ethnobotanical where in Borneo, the southern Malaysian state of voucher, measuring approximately 14 m, was Johor and Sumatra. It is found in lowland and hill found on hilltops in hill forest of Takutan. dipterocarp forest up to 800 m elevation, particu- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson larly on the rich soils of valley bottoms and hill- (1991:177) consider that its status is insufficient- sides rather than ridge tops. It has not been col- ly known in Sabah, but it is a common species in lected previously around Kinabalu Park. The eth- many areas. It is not threatened around Mount nobotanical voucher was collected on a hillside in Kinabalu. It is fairly common in the Poring and primary forest near Poring. Takutan area, where some of its range is protect- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson ed inside the Park boundaries. The local uses are (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:161) consider that minor and the short cane size limits the commer- its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- cial potential of the species. Because it is a clus- ently widespread throughout both states. It is tering palm, a sufficient quantity for domestic probably not threatened around Mount Kinabalu, use can probably be harvested without depleting but more collections are needed to understand its local stocks. local distribution and abundance. Some parts of its range fall within lower montane forest pro- 11. DAEMONOROPS SABUT BECC. tected within the Park boundary. The local uses Dusun name(s): sulak in Serinsim and in Bundu are minor and occasional. Given that it is a clus- Tuhan; known as salapangan in Takutan. Both tering species, a quantity sufficient for domestic names apparently refer to the interlocking spines use can probably be harvested without depleting that form collars around the leaf sheaths. individual populations. Salapangan is one of the names used in Poring, as well as lopong-lopong, mogulopong and lino- 10. DAEMONOROPS RUPTILIS BECC. VAR. pong. RUPTILIS Dusun uses and management: In Serinsim, the Dusun name(s): pipit tanaru or simply pipit in stems are split and dried to make fish traps Takutan. It is also known as pipit in Kiau and (bubuh in Dusun and Malay). In Takutan, the Serinsim. However, on seeing the voucher spec- mature bare stems, which are said to lose their imen, some residents of Serinsim called this sheaths over time, are used to make temporary species dobur. pens (called tinsod in Dusun and pagar in Malay) Dusun uses and management: The dried and for animals or to protect seedlings. In Bundu split stems can be used for tying and binding. Tuhan, rope made from the stem is used for tying The unsplit stems, dried by smoking, were for- and leading buffaloes. The stems are also used in merly used to make handles for spears and are the manufacture of furniture and for general tying currently used for furniture making. The leaves and binding, both in Poring and more widely. can be used for thatch, and the raw fruit is said to Classification, uses and management else- be edible. where in South-East Asia: Dransfield Classification, uses and management else- (1984a:61) states that it produces a good quality where in South-East Asia: Dransfield states cane. Pearce (1991:143,144), in summarizing that this species produces a large reddish cane of various reports of its utility, notes that the cane moderate quality, but not very long. Pearce is very durable and of good market value, hav- (1991:144) notes that the fruits of another sub- ing been marketed in the past. It is split and species found in Sarawak and Sabah - D. ruptilis woven into mats and baskets and is much valued var. acaulescens - are edible. for tying roofs and binding in general. In Botanical description and distribution: A mas- Sarawak, it is considered the best cane for mak- sive, clustering rattan that reaches heights of 10 ing selabit, a kind of basket carried on the back

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 55 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS which is widely used by the rural population. Classification, uses and management else- This rattan is apparently cultivated at Kapit and where in South-East Asia: Dransfield seedlings are being raised for an orchard to be (1984a:75) notes that the cane is of moderate established by the Forest Department. Among quality and appears to shrink upon drying. He other names, the Penan of Sarawak call this has observed the ornate seedlings of the species species wei selapang (Pearce, 1991:161) which for sale at roadside plant stalls or by itinerant may be cognate with the Dusun term salapan- plant sellers in Kota Kinabalu. Kedit (1982) gan. Alternatively, these names could be reports that the Penan of Sarawak use the stems descriptive terms that arose independently in the for tying. two communities. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- Botanical description and distribution: A der to moderately robust clustering rattan, grow- moderately sized, clustering rattan that climbs ing up to 20 m. The stems with sheaths measure to about 40 m in the forest canopy. The stems up to 28 mm in diameter, and the cane between 8- without sheaths measure some 1.5 cm in diame- 18 mm. The sheaths are dull to bright green and ter. The sheaths are bright green and bear com- armed with scattered broad-based triangular plete and partial collars to about 10 mm. The spines up to 15 mm long. The leaf is some 2 m collars are fringed with black and brown horse- long, and bears up to 50 leaflets on each side of the hair like spines, measuring 1-6 cm long. Some rachis. These are stiff and usually very closely and of the collars and spines interlock, producing ant neatly arranged, each narrowing abruptly at the galleries. The leaf is cirrate with about 20 base. Endemic to Borneo, it is abundant through- leaflets on each side of the leaf axis, usually in out Sabah, Brunei and the eastern part of Sarawak groups of 3-6. It is widespread thorughout and is found in parts of Kalimantan. It prefers rel- Sabah as well as in other parts of Borneo and the atively rich soils on valley bottoms, lower hill- Malay Peninsula. In is found in lowlands and slopes and riversides in primary or disturbed for- hill forest, sometimes on ultramafic soils, est, up to an elevation of 1,000 m. Around Mount around 700 m asl. The ethnobotanical vouchers Kinabalu, it has been collected in lowland and hill were found on hillsides, valley bottoms and forest at 400-1,000 m asl. The ethnobotanical riversides in old secondary or primary forest in vouchers, growing some 10-15 m long, were Takutan and Serinsim. found along hillsides in old secondary or primary Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson forest from Melangkap Tomis to Bundu Tuhan (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:161) consider that and Kiau across to Poring and Takutan. its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson ently widespread throughout both states. It is not (1991:177) and Pearce (1991:161) consider that threatened around Mount Kinabalu. Part of its its status is insufficiently known, but it is appar- range falls within lower montane forest protected ently widespread in Sabah and part of Sarawak. within the Park boundary. There is a moderate It is not threatened around Mount Kinabalu. It level of exploitation for domestic purposes, but appears to grow in forests along the southern area because it is a clustering species, a sufficient of Kinabalu Park, with part of its range protected quantity can probably be harvested without in forest within the Park boundary. There is a low depleting individual populations. Kiew level of exploitation for domestic purposes, but (1991:119) considers it one of the palms most because it is a clustering species, a sufficient likely to become endangered in Taman Negara quantity can probably be harvested without Park in West Malaysia. depleting individual populations. 12. DAEMONOROPS SPARSIFLORA BECC. VIII. Dypsis Dusun name(s): loggi in Bundu Tuhan and logong in Kiau; wakau lobu, mangkahatus or gipan-gipan in Poring. pipit humatou or tambah 1. DYPSIS LUTESCENS (H. WENDL.) in Melangkap Tomis. Apparently unnamed in BEENTJE & J. DRANSF. Takutan. In Serinsim, the voucher was identified Dusun name(s): Apparently unnamed in Dusun, as a type of kopit. as it is an exotic species recently introduced. Dusun uses and management: In Bundu Tuhan, Dusun uses and management: An ornamental the mature split stems are used to make handi- in home gardens of Bundu Tuhan. crafts such as barait and bakul. The palm cabbage, Classification, uses and management else- cooked in soup, is said to be bitter but is appreci- where in South-East Asia: None reported. This ated by some people. In Kiau, the dried and split species is called ‘golden bamboo palm’ in stems are used in thatching to tie the leaves of English. Metroxylon sagu onto bamboo poles. In Poring, Botanical description and distribution: A the leaves are used as thatch for temporary shel- graceful, clustering palm which grows up to 7 m ters, and the stems as rope or for making small tall, in clumps of up to 20 plants. The stem is yel- fishtraps and baskets. No use reported in Takutan. low or pale grey-brown becoming green-grey with a waxy white bloom towards the top. The

56 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS leaves arch strongly, and bear between 44 and 59 X. Eugeissona stiff leaflets regularly arranged on each side of the rachis. The leaf sheath, petiole and rachis are all yellow or yellow-orange. The leaflets are 1. EUGEISSONA UTILIS BECC. green above, with a grey somewhat waxy lower Dusun name(s): luba’ is a recognized name in surface. The inflorescence is interfoliar, with all communities, but this palm has only been spreading branches. The fruits are yellow, ellip- reported in Poring and Serinsim. soid to obovoid, with a fibrous endocarp. This Dusun uses and management: In Serinsim, the palm is native to the east of Madagascar, where stem was formerly used to fashion poison darts it grows in white sand forest near the coast. It is and starch was made from the stems. The resi- cultivated widely throughout the tropics because dents of Serinsim would have to travel to a kam- of its ornamental value, growing under a wide pung, where the palm is found along a stream- range of conditions (Dransfield and Beentje side. It is not used anymore and no one travels to 1995:212-214). this place now. Similarly, it does not grow in Conservation status: Not threatened, as it is Poring, but only along the road to Ranau. In widely cultivated. Takutan, the stems are used as the plug of darts, an occlusion. IX. Elaeis Classification, uses and management elsewhere in South-East Asia: Used in some areas as a source of sago, and for uses similar to those 1. ELAEIS GUINEENSIS JACQ. reported in Dusun communities. Dusun name(s): piasau mamau in Dusun, Botanical description and distribution: A mas- though sometimes referred to by its Malay name, sive, densely clustering palm growing to 15 m. kelapa sawit. The leaf sheaths and petioles are armed with Dusun uses and management: Known as the black, flattened spines. The leaves can be as long source of palm oil, but cultivated mainly as an as 12 m. The leaflets are narrow and crowded, ornamental in the Mount Kinabalu area. tending to hang irregularly. The spire-like com- Classification, uses and management else- pound inflorescence is erect, produced from the where in South-East Asia: One of the most palm apex, and bears brownish flowers. The commercially valuable palm crops in South-East fruits are ovoid with a beak and up to 10 cm long. Asia and the Pacific, the African oil palm is The species is restricted to lowlands and hill widely cultivated for production of crude palm forests around Mount Kinabalu. As it is usually oil and palm kernels. associated with villages, it may be a remnant of Botanical description and distribution: The oil cultivation. palm is a large, solitary palm. The trunk is grey Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson and grows to 20 m tall. It has a swollen base and (1991:177) classify this species as not threatened when young is covered with the remains of leaf in Sabah, and Pearce (1991:161) concurs for bases. The crown bears about 40-50 large leaves. Sarawak. Although relatively rare around Mount The leaf sheath is fibrous, and the lower part of Kinabalu, it is probably not threatened as it is the leaf rachis bears short spines along the mar- clustering, is (or was) cultivated, and harvesting gins. The petiole is also armed, with swollen- intensity has decreased over time. based spines. The leaves are pinnate, with some 100-150 narrow leaflets on each side of the XI. Korthalsia rachis. These are folded to form an inverted V in cross-section, and are held somewhat irregularly in two planes. The inflorescence is interfoliar, 1. KORTHALSIA CHEB BECC. short and crowded. Branching is to one order, Dusun name(s): lasas in Bundu Tuhan. and the tips of the branches are spine-like. The Dusun uses and management: In Bundu Tuhan, prophyll (the first bract on the inflorescence) the split stems are used for weaving, to make soon develops into a mass of fibres, some of baskets and straps. which are spine-like. Female and male flowers Classification, uses and management else- are usually borne on separate inflorescences. where in South-East Asia: Dransfield notes that The male flowers are borne in pairs, sunken in this species produces a medium-sized ‘rotan pits, while the larger female flowers are solitary. merah’, or reddish cane (1984a:25). Pearce The fruits are ovoid, with a smooth, shiny sur- (1991:146) reports that the cane of this species is face, and oily, fibrous flesh. They are bright used for tying (Kedit 1982) and is split for mak- orange, sometimes with violet patches where ing baskets and mats; the core is water-resistant exposed. and is used for tying bamboo structures. Conservation status: Not threatened, as it is Botanical description and distribution: A widely cultivated in commericial plantations. robust, clustering rattan with branching stems that climb up to 40 m. The stems with sheaths

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 57 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS measure up to 3 cm. The ochreas are very large short petiole of 2-3 cm. The leaf rachis is armed and conspicuous, almost entirely concealing the with small spines, and bears 4-6 leaflets on each sheaths, at first tightly sheathing just above the side. These are diamond shaped, and whitish on petiole and then greatly inflated. Ants are usual- their lower surface. The inflorescence is small, ly abundant within these chambers, which are some 30 cm long, bearing few, undivided armed with scattered, short triangular spines. The branches. The bracts subtending each branch are leaflets are broad and diamond-shaped, with up covered in a pale indumentum. The fruit is small, to seven on each side of the leaf axis. The inflo- about 1 cm diameter, sparingly fleshy and round- rescences are up to 75 cm long, and the ripe fruit ed. It is found in lowland dipterocarp forests of is somewhat oblong, 1.5 by 1 cm. Apparently a Sabah, Sarawak and Sumatra; growing at up to very local species, it was previously only known 500 m asl around Mount Kinabalu. According to in Sabah from one collection in the Crocker Dransfield (1992:22) also in Kalimantan. Range. Also found in Sarawak and Kalimantan, Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but but always very local. Endemic to Borneo probably not threatened, as it is a clustering rat- (Dransfield 1992:30). On Mount Kinabalu, it tan not in great demand. was collected once in hill forest. Conservation status: Considered rare in 4. KORTHALSIA ECHINOMETRA BECC. Sarawak by Pearce (1991:162), and quite scarce Dusun name(s): wakau ragang or potung in in Sabah; the species is vulnerable, but not inten- Poring. These names also refer to K. furtadoana, sively used, around Mount Kinabalu. apparently because of the similarity in ochreas of these two species. The name potung, which 2. KORTHALSIA CONCOLOR BECC. means ‘swollen’ in Dusun, is also used in Bundu Dusun name(s): tuai pakot in Serinsim. Tuhan; the rattan does not grow there, but some Dusun uses and management: Used in crafts residents have seen it around Ranau. In Takutan, and construction. this rattan is called wakau ragang. The name tuai Classification, uses and management else- ragang exists in Bundu Tuhan, but is used for a where in South-East Asia: None reported. more slender species of Korthalsia. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- Dusun uses and management: The stems, split der clustering rattan with branching stems that and scraped clean, are used to make carrying climb high into the canopy. The stems without bags (sikutan), baskets (barait), the frame of sheaths are about 6 mm in diameter, with sheaths trays for winnowing rice (nyiru) and other hand- to 9 mm. The sheaths are bright green with very icrafts. The split stems are also used for tying in sparse spines and a very thick grey indumentum. general. The cane is said to be durable, lasting for Leaf some 30 cm long, including a cirrus of up to 2 or 3 years. 15 cm long. Petiole very short or absent. Leaflets Classification, uses and management else- the same colour on both surfaces (concolourous), where in South-East Asia: Dransfield about 5 on each side, the largest 12 by 4 cm. The (1984a:25) mentions that the split cane is used in inflorescence rarely exceeds 35 cm, and the fruit basket weaving and that it is a much sought after is ovate, about 2 by 1.7 cm. Found in the low- species. Pearce (1991:146) cites several sources lands up to 400 m above sea level, usually which indicate that the durable yet unattractive restricted to ultramafic soils. cane is in high demand for baskets and mats. It is Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but said to be easy to work and to have some market probably not threatened, as it is a clustering rat- value for furniture making. tan not in great demand. Botanical description and distribution: A moderately robust rattan that climbs to heights of 40 3. KORTHALSIA DEBILIS BLUME m. It is both clustering and branching. The stem, Dusun name(s): rukatan timbaan in Takutan. with sheaths removed, attains a maximum diame- Dusun uses and management: Apparently not ter of 2 cm. The bright green sheaths are almost used in Dusun communities. completely hidden by the swollen ochrea, which Classification, uses and management else- is densely covered with black laminar spines. The where in South-East Asia: Kedit (1992) notes leaflets are numerous, up to 25 on each side of the that the canes are used for tying. leaf axis, and dark green with a chalky white Botanical description and distribution: A slen- lower surface. They are narrowly elongate, giving der, clustering, high climbing rattan, the stems the palm the appearance of a Calamus or with sheaths measuring up to 15 mm. The leaf Daemonorops. Considered by Dransfield to be sheaths are sparingly covered in a rusty brown the commonest species in Sabah. It is very wide- indumentum and are sometimes armed with short spread in lowland and hill dipterocarp forest at spines. The ochrea is closely sheathing along its elevations of up to 1,000 m asl. It is also wide- length, and is usually armed with very short spread in Borneo, Sumatra and the southern part prickles. It disintegrates into a distinctive fibrous of the Malay Peninsula. At Mount Kinabalu, the net. The leaves are about 30-40 cm long, with a species is widespread in lowlands and hill forest

58 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS up to 900 m asl.The ethnobotanical vouchers, 8- Dusun uses and management: In Kiau, the dried 10 m long, were found on hilltops and hillsides in and split stems are used to weave the straps of var- primary and secondary forest. ious local carrying baskets (sikutan). In Serinsim, Conservation status: Although Pearce consid- the split, dried and scraped stems are used to tie ers the status to be unknown in Sarawak, together bamboo slats for fish traps, which are Dransfield and Johnson (1991:177) suggest that called bubuh in Dusun or Malay. In Poring, the it is not threatened in Sabah. It is very wide- stems are used for general tying and weaving. spread and thrives in a variety of forest types and Classification, uses and management else- ecological zones. Around Mount Kinabalu, it where in South-East Asia: Dransfield appears to be abundant. Harvesting of the species (1984a:33) states that the species has no reported is occasional and solely for subsistence purposes. uses, but may have a durable cane that could be It is clustering and branching, so the limited har- used as other Korthalsia species in basket weav- vesting which takes place is unlikely to threaten ing. Pearce (1991:146) reports that in Sarawak the survival even of individual plants. the stems are used as ropes for boats and rafts as well as to tie together logs which are to be float- 5. KORTHALSIA FURTADOANA J. DRANSF. ed downriver. The split stems are used for bas- Dusun name(s): wakau ragang or potung in ket-making among various ethnic groups. Poring. Both of these names are also used for K. Botanical description and distribution: A clus- echinometra, apparently because of the similari- tering moderately-sized rattan that reaches a ty in their ochreas. height of up to 30 m in the forest canopy. The Dusun uses and management: In Poring, the stems without sheaths measure approximately 1.5 split stems are used for making the straps of cm in diameter. The bright green sheaths have wakid and also to make hats. For the latter, the sparse black spines and brittle black spicules. The stems are soaked first in water. The whole stems conspicuous ochrea, similarly armed with black are used as the frames for fishtraps and baskets. spicules, diverges from the stem at an acute angle, This cane is said to be durable and strong. leaving a large chamber in which ants live. The Classification, uses and management else- leaflets are diamond-shaped, bright green above where in South-East Asia: Dransfield and with a white lower surface. Local in Sabah, in (1984a:30) notes that this species produces lowland and hill dipterocarp forest up to altidudes durable slender rattan used for binding, particu- of 900 m, often in disturbed forest on steep larly in local handicrafts. slopes. Found throughout Borneo, but never com- Botanical description and distribution: A slen- mon. Also found in Sumatra and Malay der, clustering rattan, with branching stems climb- Peninsula. It had never been collected previously ing to over 20 m. The stem measures 8-10 mm around Mount Kinabalu before the beginning of including the sheaths, and 5-8 mm when these are the PEK. The ethnobotanical collections were 8- removed. The sheaths are armed with scattered, 25 m vines found on hilltops and hillsides in sec- triangular black spines. The ochrea is similarly ondary vegetation. armed, and swollen to form ant chambers. The Conservation status: Kiew (1991:120) consid- leaflets are narrow diamond-shaped, with up to 12 ers it one of the palms most likely to become in each leaf. The upper surface is bright green, and endangered in the Endau-Rompin State Forest the lower surface whitish. Usually only two inflo- Park of West Malaysia. Dransfield and Johnson rescences are produced, each with four robust (1991:178) and Pearce (1991:162) considers that branches. Abundant in Eastern Sabah, where it is the status is insufficiently known in Sabah and found in lowland forest up to 500 m asl, but more Sarawak. Although not common around Mount scattered in the west of the state. Rather infrequent Kinabalu, it is not likely a threatened species. It around Mount Kinabalu. is clustering and grows well in secondary vegeta- Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but tion from the lowlands up to the foothills of the probably not vulnerable. It is a widespread clus- mountain. It is not commercialized and the low tering rattan in Eastern Sabah, of little commer- level of exploitation for subsistence uses proba- cial value. Perhaps vulnerable around Mount bly has a small impact on the local population of Kinablu, where the lowland forests are much dis- this species. It may be partially protected by the turbed, and where the species is infrequent. large number of ants which live in the ochrea, making it more difficult to harvest than other 6. KORTHALSIA HISPIDA BECC. species of similar quality. Dusun name(s): ludukon in Serinsim, and linogi in Kiau. In Poring, and apparently also in 7. KORTHALSIA JALA J. DRANSF. Takutan, it is called lasas. Upon reviewing a Dusun name(s): rukatan in Takutan and Poring. voucher specimen, a group of men in Serinsim Not known in Bundu Tuhan or Kiau, but possibly called this jimpangaan, which refers to the found in Serinsim. branching of the stems (said to be not much used Dusun uses and management: In Takutan and because they split unevenly and are fibrous). Poring, the stems - after being dried in the sun or

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 59 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS smoked over a fire - were formerly used to make stems, either used whole or split and scraped spear handles. After cleaning and polishing, the clean, are used for tying in general. It is not stems can be used as the framework of furniture. thought to be as strong a cane as K. furtadoana. The leaves are used to wrap food, such as cooked Classification, uses and management else- rice or cakes. The boiled palm cabbage is used where in South-East Asia: Dransfield (184a:17) medicinally in Poring, to help in child birth. notes that it is primarily used locally, apparently Classification, uses and management else- for tying and basket weaving. The species is where in South-East Asia: Dransfield called rotan dungan in Malay. Other names pos- (1984a:22) notes that it produces large rotan sibly cognate with Dusun are wi jaunungan in merah - reddish canes typically used in basket Bidayuh and wai gu’un in Melanau. making - but does not list any specific uses. Botanical description and distribution: A Botanical description and distribution: A moderate, clustering rattan that branches high in robust, clustering and branching rattan that the canopy, often reaching heights of 50 m. The climbs high in the forest canopy, often reaching stems without sheaths measure some 2 cm diam- heights of 60 m. The stems without sheaths mea- eter. The sheaths are dull green and are densely sure approximately 4 cm diameter. The large and covered with a persistent grey indumentum and conspicuous ochrea is expanded into a net-like sparse triangular spines. The leaflets are dull funnel which partially encloses the stem. The green on the upper surface and bluish grey under- broad diamond-shaped leaflets are bright green neath. It is widespread in the lowlands and hill on the upper surface and chalky white beneath. It dipterocarp forests of Sabah. It is also found in is widespread in Sabah in lowland and hill forest other parts of Borneo, Palawan, Sumatra, Malay up to about 700 m elevation, particularly in the Peninsula and South Thailand. Around Mount northern and eastern parts of the state. It is local Kinabalu, it is found in lowlands to hill forest, in Brunei (Dransfield 1992:28). Around Mount from 700 m to 1,200 m asl. It has previously been Kinabalu, it has been collected previously in collected in Kiau and around Poring Hot Springs. lowlands and hill forest at Poring and along the The ethnobotanical vouchers, said to be up to 30 Poring to Ranau road at 600-700 m elevation. m long, were collected on hillsides in primary The ethnobotanical vouchers, 12 to 14 m long, and secondary forest. The ethnobotanical vouch- were collected on hillsides in young secondary to er was found on hillsides in primary forest. primary vegetation at Poring and Takutan. Doinis Soibeh notes that suckers - called tunas in Conservation status: Pearce (1991:157) states Malay and tolid in Dusun - are produced after that it is vulnerable in Sarawak - where it has a cutting the stems. restricted distribution - and is likely to become Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson endangered if current rates of exploitation and (1991:178) and Pearce (1991:162) suggest that habitat destruction continue. Dransfield and the status is insufficiently known in Sabah and Johnson (1991:178) consider its status insuffi- Sarawak, but the species is said to be widespread ciently unknown in Sabah, but note it is wide- in Sabah and other parts of South-East Asia. It spread up to 700 m elevation in the state. Around does not appear to be threatened around Mount Kinabalu Park, it does not appear to be vulnera- Kinabalu. It grows well in secondary and prima- ble or threatened. It is relatively common around ry forests in a variety of ecological zones. the Poring sub-station and grows well in both pri- Harvest of the species is occasional and for sub- mary and disturbed vegetation. Although used sistence ends only. It is a clustering rattan that for a variety of subsistence purposes, it is not appears to be used infrequently and is harvested commercialized. Because it is a clustering palm, in a way that favours production of stem shoots. a moderate amount of canes can be harvested without killing the plant. 9. KORTHALSIA ROBUSTA BLUME Dusun name(s): sasas in Bundu Tuhan, Poring, 8. KORTHALSIA RIGIDA BLUME Serinsim and probably other communities Dusun name(s): pangaan in Kiau, Sayap and around Mount Kinbalu. The name is derived Serinsim; gampango in Bundu Tuhan. These from the sound - ‘sas, sas, sas’ - made by ants names apparently refer to the apparent branching which live inside the ochreas. of the stem, due to the diverging ochrea. It is Dusun uses and management: The split and called rukatan timbaan in Takutan. In Poring, dried stems are used to weave carrying baskets collections were identified as logong. When the (barait) and for general tying. In Poring, the voucher specimen was shown to some residents, stems were said to be used for spear handles. The they thought it was a type of lasas, apparently palm cabbage is not considered edible there. because of the superficial similarity in leaves Classification, uses and management else- between this species and K. robusta. where in South-East Asia: Dransfield Dusun uses and management: The split and (1984a:30) states that this species is a source of dried stems are used to weave straps for carrying coarse rotan merah or ‘red rattan’. which is baskets (wakid). In Bundu Tuhan and Poring, the cleaned, dried and split, and then used to weave

60 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS carrying baskets. Pearce (1991:146) cites a report margins towards the base. The inflorescence that the Penan of Sarawak use the stems for grows to nearly 1 m in length, and is slender and tying. quite straight. The rachis is strongly flattened, Botanical description and distribution: A sheathed by one or two bracts near the base, and robust clustering rattan that climbs to 30 m or with 3-4 partial inflorescences at the top. The more. The stem without sheaths grows to a diam- lower branches are spreading, and bear spirally eter of 2.5 cm. The conspicuous ochrea, which is arranged flowers. The uppermost flowers are sur- pale brown and covered with many black spines, rounded by conspicuous, narrow bracteoles. The diverges from the stem at an acute angle, creating calyx is three-lobed and bell- or cup-shaped, with an open space which is usually home to a large quite thick walls. The corolla is nearly twice as number of ants. When disturbed, the ants make a long as the calyx, fused at the base, then dividing noise by tapping their abdomen against the dry into three lanceolate-acuminate segments. The ochrea. The leaflets are bright green on the upper fruit is bright orange, spherical and about 10 mm surface and chalky white below. The species is diameter. Found in Sabah and Sarawak. At widespread throughout Sarawak. Elsewhere Mount Kinabalu, apparently restricted to low- widespread in Borneo; uncommon in Sumatra, lands in Serinsim, on the northeast side of the also in Borneo (Dransfield 1992:37). Around Park. Ethnobotanical vouchers collected on hill- Mount Kinabalu it is common in disturbed sites sides in young secondary vegetation. in lowland and hill forest. It has been previously Conservation status: Insufficiently known, but collected at Poring Hot Springs at 700 m. The probably not threatened because it is a common ethnobotanical voucher, about 5 m long, was col- species in some areas of secondary vegetation. lected in secondary vegetation alongside a water buffalo pasture near the village of Poring. 2. LICUALA PALUDOSA GRIFF. Conservation status: Although Dransfield and Dusun name(s): silad morompogun or simply Johnson (1991:178) and Pearce (1991:162) morompogun in Serinsim. suggest that its status is insufficiently known in Dusun uses and management: Used as a roof Sabah and Sarawak, it can be considered as not thatch. threatened in the Mount Kinabalu area. It is a clus- Classification, uses and management else- tering and branching species which grows well in where in South-East Asia: None reported. disturbed sites and is widespread in the lowlands Botanical description and distribution: A of Sabah. The cane is not commercialized and moderately sized clustering undergrowth fan subsistence use is occasional. It is protected by the palm, growing up to 7 m tall. The trunk is slen- large number of ants which have to be removed der, unarmed and smooth below, but marked from the stems, making it more difficult to harvest with ringed leaf scars towards the top. The leaf than other species of similar quality. petiole is armed along the lower margins with small black patent to reflexed spines. The leaf XII. Licuala lamina is made up of 6-12(-15) wedge-shaped segments. These are divided into 3-4 lobes at the apex. The inflorescence is erect, with green, 1. LICUALA BIDENTATA BECC. tubular spathes. Each partial inflorescence bears Dusun name(s): silad, considered to be a palma 5-7 second-order branches, and these are curved, in all communities. Silad is confirmed as the nodding and slightly pubescent. The flowers are name in Serinsim, but residents know that the solitary to groups of 2-3, sessile and top-shaped. people of Lingkabou (where there is a distinct Found in peat swamp forests in Indochina, dialect of Dusun, with estimated 80% mutual Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo. At intelligibility) call it luntuk. Mount Kinabalu, apparently restricted to lowland Dusun uses and management: In Serinsim, the swamp forest in Serinsim, on the northeast side fruit is eaten but the leafy shoot is not considered of the Park. edible. In Poring the leaves are used as thatch. Conservation status: Considered vulnerable in Classification, uses and management else- Sarawak by Pearce (1991), it may threatened in where in South-East Asia: None reported. the Kinabalu Park region and other parts of its Botanical description and distribution: A clus- broad range by habitat destruction in the low- tering undergrowth small, more or less stemless lands. palm. The leaves are fan-shaped with linear, blunt-ended segments. The central and interme- 3. LICUALA AFF. VALIDA BECC. diate segments are 22-27 cm long. These are Dusun name(s): silad, considered to be a palma either with a single midrib, about 10 mm wide in all communities. and two terminal lobes, or with two prominent Dusun uses and management: The leaves are veins, 20 mm wide and with three equal lobes. widely used to make hats, and are doubled over The lateral segments are slightly shorter, with bamboo slats and sewn together with rattan to oblique, irregularly lobed ends. The petiole is make thatch for houses. It is said that the quality slender and armed with small spines along the

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 61 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS is better than that of Metroxylon sagu, but silad Dusun uses and management: Sago can be har- grows in the wild and is thus more difficult to vested from the inner stem by felling the palm, collect. In Bundu Tuhan, the palm cabbage is breaking open the trunk and scraping out the eaten in soup. In Poring, the leaf is used as a food starchy sago, which is then washed in water. The wrapper, particularly for a dish made with rice. water is gathered in a bucket and after a day the In Takutan, the stems are used as instruments to sago settles to the bottom. The sago is then hit gongs used in village festivities such as mar- pressed in gauze or mesh to remove excess riages. Stems from this species and Salacca are water. The leaves are sewn together to make used similarly in other communities, including thatch for traditional houses, a use which is still Bundu Tuhan. In Poring, the young leaves are current. The roots, boiled and used in baths or used as cigarette papers, if nipah leaves are taken as tea, are used to treat coughs, particular- unavailable. ly in children. The palm is said to grow in wet Classification, uses and management else- areas. In previous times, some people from where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:148) Bundu Tuhan went to lowland areas in Baayat states that the young leaves are used for hats and (where they had land and planted padi) to harvest mats, and that older leaves are used for roofing Metroxylon sagu for sago and leaves. and the walls of shelters. The Penan consider that Classification, uses and management else- the palm cabbage is edible (Kedit 1982). The where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:154) Kelabit of Sarawak call a related species (L. peti- reports that the sago palm is widely planted in olulata) ilad tu’ud, possibly cognate with the Sarawak. Apart from the predominant role as a Dusun name. source of sago, the palm has many other uses. Botanical description and distribution: A The leaves are used to make thatch, hats, baskets large and robust species. The leaves are fan- and blow-pipe darts. The sticky sap is chewed as shaped, and are covered in minute brown dots on gum, the ripe fruits and palm cabbage are eaten. their lower surface. The segments are wedge- Edible sago grubs are harvested from the trunks shaped, the intermediate ones up to 1 m long, of palms about to flower. Madulid (1991:251) with 3-4 main veins. The ends of the segments notes that one of the local names for the palm in are irregularly lobed. The outermost segments the Philippines is lumbiya, probably cognate with are half the length, with two main veins and the Dusun term. longer lobes. The upper petiole is flat, becoming Botanical description and distribution: A convex towards the base, and bears minute teeth medium sized palm, up to 20 m high, with clus- along its margins. The inflorescence is robust. tering stems. The stems are ringed with leaf scars, The rachis is covered with a brown indumentum, and towards the top covered with clasping leaf and bears tubular bracts which become inflated bases. The sheaths and petioles are sometimes with a slight keel. The inflorescence branches are armed with spines. The leaves are as long as 7 m, spreading. The fruit is relatively large, up to 2 cm with narrow, closely arranged leaflets. These are long, slightly longer than it is broad and very shiny green, slightly paler below and often bear fleshy. Found in mixed dipterocarp forest spines along their margins and central vein. The throughout Borneo, including Kalimantan. At large inflorescences bear spirally arranged red- Kinabalu Park, found in lowlands and hill forest. dish-brown flowers. The fruit is more or less The ethnobotanical vouchers, about 1.5-2 m tall, rounded and covered with yellow-brown scales. were collected on hilltops and hillsides in prima- Cultivated throughout South-East Asia and the ry forest. The specimen from Bundu Tuhan was Pacific. At Mount Kinabalu, sago palm is culti- collected in Kampung Himbaan (part of Bundu vated in communities in the lowlands. Tuhan), where the palm is common. There Conservation status: Not threatened. Relatively appear to be two or more forms of this species; common around Mount Kinabalu, it is widely definitive identification and description of this cultivated throughout its range, and harvesting and other Licuala species awaits a revision of the intensity has decreased over time in response to genus. lowered demand. Conservation status: Considered vulnerable by Pearce (1991:163) because it has not been recently collected in Sarawak, it is relatively common XIV. Nenga and probably not threatened in Kinabalu Park region and other parts of Borneo. 1. NENGA PUMILA (MART.) H. WENDL. VAR. PACHYSTACHYA (BLUME) XIII. Metroxylon FERNANDO Dusun name(s): lompiwou or bumburing in 1. METROXYLON SAGU ROTTB. Poring, apparently unnamed in Melangkap Dusun name(s): rumbioh in Bundu Tuhan, Tomis. Kiau, Poring and Serinsim and rumbiyoh in Dusun uses and management: The leaves can Takutan. be used for thatch. The hard base of the leaves

62 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS can be used to weave baskets and other crafts. sive, clustering palm, growing to a height of over The fruit can be eaten raw, as a type of sirih. 20 m. The trunk and crownshaft are densely cov- Apparently the stem was formerly used to make ered in spines, as are the leaf and inflorescence spear handles and hammers. stalks. The trunk is ringed with leaf scars. The Classification, uses and management else- leaves measure up to 4 m in length and bear where in South-East Asia: Called pinang in about 80 leaflets on each side of the main axis. Malay; no information on uses and management These are held quite stiffly. The fruits are round is reported. and black when ripe. It is found throughout Botanical description and distribution: A clus- Borneo, and also occurs in the Malay Peninsula, tering undergrowth palm, with stems growing to Sumatra and more rarely in Sulawesi. At Mount 6 m tall and about 6 cm diameter. The stems are Kinabalu, found in lowlands and hill forest up to smooth, green to brown, often with stilt roots 900 m asl. around the base. The crownshaft is a pale green- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson ish brown. The crown bears up to 7 leaves, each (1991:177) classify this species as not threatened with up to 60 leaflets. The leaflets are bright in Sabah. Individuals are protected within green with papery scales on the lower surface of Kinabalu Park at Poring Hot Springs and other the rachis. The pendulous inflorescence bears locations. Intensive harvesting of the palm cab- spirally arranged flowers. The fruit ripen to yel- bage affects some populations in Sarawak low and then brick red. Ranges from southern (Dransfield 1984b), especially near urban areas Thailand to the Malay Peninsula, Singapore, where the vegetable is marketed. Sumatra and Borneo. Found in dense humid dipterocarp forest on hillslopes or river valleys, XVI. Pinanga and in heath forest on sandstone or granitic sand. Also found on the landward edge of mangrove 1. PINANGA ANGUSTISECTA BECC. swamps. Grows from sea level to 1,100 m asl. At Dusun name(s): Not known, but probably con- Mount Kinabalu, found in lowlands - and infre- sidered a kind of bumburing. quently in hill forest - often in swampy habitats. Dusun uses and management: None reported. Conservation status: Insufficiently known but Classification, uses and management else- probably not threatened as it is a clustering palm, where in South-East Asia: None reported. distributed across a broad geographical range. Botanical description and distribution: A small ‘stemless’ undergrowth palm. The leaves XV. Oncosperma are narrow, about 1.5 m long and held erect. The leaf sheath is leathery and sparsely covered in 1. ONCOSPERMA HORRIDUM SCHEFF. minute scales. The petiole is similarly covered, but becomes glabrous towards the top. It is more Dusun name(s): tolibung in Takutan and or less round in cross-section, while the rachis is Serinsim. This name was recognized in Bundu strongly triangular. There are about 28 narrow, Tuhan and Kiau, but the palm does not grow acuminate leaflets arranged alternately on each here. In Serinsim, it is said to be the smaller ver- side of the rachis. These have a pale lower sur- sion of a palm called toyon. Known as molugus face and a single mid-rib, although this divides in in Poring, a name apparently not recognized by to 2-5 at the tip. The 2 terminal pairs of leaflets residents of Serinsim. are wider than the others, with 2-5 primary veins Dusun uses and management: In Poring the and ending in 2-5 triangular teeth. The inflores- palm cabbage is eaten, cooked with meat. The cence is erect, with a long peduncle, and 6-8 fruits are said to be inedible. The leaves are spreading, alternate branches. The flowers are woven to make atap, and the outer portion of the borne close together, arranged spirally or irregu- trunk is used in house construction and also for larly. The fruit is ellipsoid, measuring 15-17 mm bridges. long when mature. At Mount Kinabalu, found in Classification, uses and management else- lowlands and hill forest at 1,100 m asl. where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:150) Conservation status: Pearce (1991:63) and states that this species produces one of the most Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) concur that esteemed palm cabbages in Sarawak, and that it the conservation status is unknown. Although the can be eaten raw or cooked. The stems are quar- palm has no apparent commercial value, it is tered and the pith removed to make boards for very localized and could be vulnerable in some construction. The stem may be hollowed out to areas because of habitat destruction. make durable culverts to drain fishponds. There is no evidence of cultivation of the species in 2. PINANGA ARISTATA (BURRET) J. Sarawak. A number of names used in Sarawak DRANSF. (Pearce 1991:163) may be cognate with the Dusun name(s): Not known, but probably con- Dusun name: debung (Bidayuh), nibong sidered a kind of bumburing. (Kenyah), nibong or nyivung (Penan). Dusun uses and management: None reported. Botanical description and distribution: A mas-

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 63 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Classification, uses and management else- 1200 m asl on Mount Kinabalu. Very localized in where in South-East Asia: None reported; the Sabah and Sarawak. Bahasa Malaysia name pinang mureng is report- Conservation status: Pearce (1991:63) and ed in Sarawak. Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) consider the Botanical description and distribution: This is conservation status as unknown. It is among the a slender, clustering undergrowth palm, the stem Pinanga palms that have no apparent commer- measuring up to 3 cm in diameter. The leaves cial value, but that could be vulnerable in some grow up to 40 cm long. The leaf rachis is areas because of habitat destruction. glabrous below, and with minute dark brown scales on the upper surface. The leaflets are lin- 4. PINANGA CAPITATA BECC. ear-lanceolate in shape, reaching up to 25 cm Dusun name(s): bumburing in all communities. A long and 5.5 cm wide, and bear 4 prominent variety called bumburing tondudug in Bundu veins. At their tips they divide unequally into 2. Tuhan is used as a substitute for betel nut. The leaflets are slightly spreading, and quite Residents of Serinsim say they have seen this palm rigid. The upper surface is dark green, mottled in the forest and that it looks like a type of bum- with paler green and glabrous, with a paler lower buring, but is not prototypical of the folk genus. surface bearing small whitish scales. The apical Dusun uses and management: The leaves are pair of leaflets are broader, with 7-8 main veins. occasionally used as roofing material for houses, The flowers are borne spirally on short stalks and especially sinurambi (Dusun). These are the huts the perianth is somewhat spreading. The calyx is built in padi, used for approximately 3 months, united, with narrowly linear lobes, and the petals and then reconstructed the following year. Many are ovate-lanceolate. The fruit is orange or cus- leaves are placed on the roof, 2 cm poring poles tard-yellow, ovoid, about 6 x 3 mm, and borne on are placed over the top and are lashed down with pale hairy rachillae. Found in Brunei, Sabah, small (½ cm) rattan canes. They can also be used Sarawak and Kalimantan. At Mount Kinabalu, it to roof the sulap, a more permanent field house. grows in hill forest and lower montane forest This use appears to be quite rare, for example, no from 900-1,500 m asl. sinurambi or sulap roofed with bumburing Conservation status: Pearce (1991:63) and leaves exist in Bundu Tuhan. The quality is con- Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) classify the sidered inferior to rumbiah (Metroxylon sagu) conservation status as unknown. Although rather and kobuh (Marantaceae) which are said to last widespread, the palm is very localized and is some 4-8 years. The bumburing leaf is very known from a single collection around Mount small, so many must be collected to roof a small Kinabalu. house, and it is said to last for only 3 years. In Bundu Tuhan, the palm cabbage is eaten in soup. 3. PINANGA BREVIPES BECC. The fruits of a specific variety are used as a sub- Dusun name(s): No name reported. stitute for betel nut. It is not cultivated or appar- Dusun uses and management: None recorded. ently encouraged in any way. Classification, uses and management else- Classification, uses and management elsewhere in South-East Asia: None reported. where in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:163) Botanical description and distribution: This records the names berang (Kelabit) and pinang squat undergrowth palm has a short, solitary (Iban) that may be cognate with the Dusun name stem, reaching only 10 cm in height and 20-25 for this palm. mm diameter. It is covered with numerous leaf- Botanical description and distribution: A vari- scars, and with the persistent leaf sheaths when able, slender undergrowth palm growing up to 5 young. The leaf sheath is thickly ribbed towards m tall. The stems are solitary or clustered, and the apex, with a sparse covering of minute scales. covered with brown or black scales. The crown- The leaves are held erect, measuring up to 2.25 shaft is only slightly swollen. The leaves mea- m. The petiole, over 1 m long, is glabrous and sure between 1 and 3 m long, and bear about 16 rounded in cross-section. The leaflets are widely pairs of dull green leaflets. These are broad or spaced, and arranged alternately or nearly oppo- narrow, and the terminal pair may or may not be site. The 2 terminal segments are partially joined, joined along part of their length. The inflores- 35-45 cm long, with 4-7 primary nerves, and cences are produced below the crownshaft, and ending in 4-6 triangular bifid lobes. The other have many branches. The ripe fruits vary from segments are narrow, almost scythe shaped, and red to dark purple. Endemic to Borneo, where it taper to a point. They measure some 45-50 cm grows in the undergrowth of primary forests or long and 2-3 cm wide, and have 2-3 primary well-developed secondary forests. A relatively veins. The inflorescence is erect, with a very common species on Mount Kinabalu, found in short peduncle of 2-4 cm, and 3 branches. The hill, lower montane and upper montane forest flowers are densely arranged spirally or in two from 800-3,000 m asl. rows. The male flowers are borne on short Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson pedicels. The fruit is oblong-obovoid, and up to (1991:177) classify this species as not threatened 17 mm long when ripe. Found in hill forests at in Sabah as it is abundant on Mount Kinabalu. 64 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS 5. PINANGA KEAHII FURTADO 7. PINANGA PILOSA (BURR.) J. DRANSF. Dusun name(s): bumburing kombirayat (meaning Dusun name(s): bumburing tokoro, ‘small bum- unknown) in Bundu Tuhan; bumburing in Poring. buring’. Dusun uses and management: The fruits are Dusun uses and management: The fruits are said to be used as a substitute for betel nut in said to be used as a substitute for betel nut. Bundu Tuhan and Poring. The palm cabbage is Classification, uses and management else- eaten in soup. In Poring, it can also be used to where in South-East Asia: none reported. make spear handles, walking sticks and hammers. Botanical description and distribution: A slen- Classification, uses and management else- der, clustering palm, which forms clumps in the where in South-East Asia: None reported. forest undergrowth. The stems are usually less Botanical description and distribution: A slen- than 50 cm tall. The leaves are simple or divided der, clustering palm which often forms thickets. into a few broad leaflets. The upper surface is The stems are usually less than 3 m in height, and dull green with a paler underside. The inflores- up to 2 cm in diameter. The crownshaft is pale cence is unbranched or branched only once, bear- green, as are the leaves. The leaves measure up to ing spirally-arranged flowers. The male flowers 1.5 m, with about 12 pairs of broad or narrow are cream-coloured and hairy. The ripe fruit is leaflets. The inflorescences are unbranched. The spindle-shaped and yellow or orange. Endemic to young fruit is green and spindle-shaped, and Borneo, where it is found in lower montane for- becomes oblong, purplish and fleshy on matur- est. On Mount Kinabalu, common in hill and ing. Endemic to Borneo. On Mount Kinabalu, lower montane forest from 1,200-2,100 m asl. found in hill and lower montane forest from Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson 1,300-1,500 m asl. Ethnobotanical voucher (1991:177) classify this species as not threatened found on a hilltop in primary forest. in Sabah as it is abundant on Mount Kinabalu. Conservation status: Pearce (1991:163) classifies it as rare, and Dransfield and Johnson 8. PINANGA SALICIFOLIA BLUME (1991:178) note that it is localized in Sabah. Dusun name(s): None reported, but likely Probably not threatened at Mount Kinabalu, as referred to as bumburing if given a name. the level of exploitation is low and it is a cluster- Dusun uses and management: None reported. ing palm collected at various locations. Classification, uses and management elsewhere in South-East Asia: Pearce (1991:164) 6. PINANGA LEPIDOTA RENDLE notes that the Iban call this species pinang Dusun name(s): bumburing kuning, yellow morang daun kecil (small leaved pinang bumburing, in Kiau and bumburing in other com- morang); the Malay name is pinang muring. munities. It is bumburing lobu in Poring, from Botanical description and distribution: the voucher specimen. In Serinsim, this is called Slender clustering palm to 3 m tall, juvenile londudug, apparently referring to its small size. foliage usually markedly different from the adult. Dusun uses and management: No use reported. Found in primary hill forest on ultramafic soils, In Serinsim, residents specifically say that the often on ridgetops and kerangas. seeds are not eaten as a substitute for areaca nut. Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson Classification, uses and management else- (1991:177) note that the species has a localized where in South-East Asia: none reported distribution but that its status is unknown; Pearce Botanical description and distribution: A very (1991:164) considers it indeterminate. slender palm that reaches up to 1 m high in forest undergrowth. The stems are solitary or clus- 9. PINANGA TENELLA VAR. TENELLA (H. tering. The stem, crownshaft and rachis are all WENDL.) SCHEFF. covered in brown scales with silvery hairs. The Dusun name(s): None recorded. leaves grow up to 1m long, and are entire or bear Dusun uses and management: None recorded. leaflets of variable width. The inflorescence is Classification, uses and management else- unbranched and pendulous. The fruits are elon- where in South-East Asia: None recorded; P. gate, and purple when ripe. Endemic to Borneo, tenella var. tenuissima is among the palms that where it is known from Brunei and northeastern the Iban call pinang mureng (Pearce 1991:164). Sarawak as well as Sabah. At Mount Kinabalu, Botanical description and distribution: This occasional in lowland and hill forest on ultramaf- palm has a very slender stem, growing to 1 m. ic soils from 600 to 1,000 m asl. The tough-textured leaves, which are up to 60 cm Conservation status: Two collections have been long, bear approximately 11 narrow, linear made in Hempuen Hill, an area that has been leaflets on each side of the rachis. These are quite recently burned over, but it is found elsewhere on tough, and have a single prominent vein. The Mount Kinabalu. Pearce (1991:163) classifies it leaflets are folded either singly or in two, the for- as indeterminate in Sarawak, and Dransfield and mer type being found in Sabah, and the latter Johnson (1991:178) note that it is localized in occurring elsewhere in Borneo. The inflores- Sabah. cence is very short, about 10 cm long, with

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 65 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS between one and four branches. The flowers are Mart. ex Bl. Madulid) are considered soft and arranged in two opposite rows. The fruits are easily broken in comparison to Calamus spp. ovate-ellipsoid, and up to 7-8 mm long. This They are harvested locally in Palawan and species is rheophytic, confined to rocks on river Agusan Mindanao for clothes hangers, basket banks, and occurs throughout Borneo. On Mount handles and other minor uses. The inflorescence, Kinabalu known only from the type specimen which produces pendulous branches with over- collected in 1856 (the first palm collected on the lapping boat-shaped bracts, is used ornamentally. mountain) and a second collection by Burbridge. Pearce (1991) lists no uses for Plectocomia in Conservation status: Pearce (1991:164) consid- Sarawak. Whitmore (1973) notes that ers P. tenella as rare in Sarawak; Dransfield and Plectocomia species are eaten by elephants. Johnson (1991:178) classify the status as Botanical description and distribution: A unknown in Sabah, but note that it is very local- robust solitary rattan that climbs high in the for- ized. At Mount Kinabalu it is probably extinct or est canopy, often reaching 50 m. The stem with- very endangered, as it has not been collected out sheaths ranges from 6-10 cm in diameter. since the 19th century and the vegetation of type The sheaths, which lack a knee, are dull green locality has been greatly modified. and are armed with horizontal or oblique combs of golden brown or deep-reddish spines to 4 cm. The leaf is very large, up to 7 m in length with a 10. PINANGA VARIEGATA BECC. VAR. HAL- 3 m cirrus. The leaflets are bluish-green, with a LIERIANA BECC. EX MARTELLI pale lower surface. In Sabah it is only found in Dusun name(s): tondudug in Takutan and upper montane forest from 1,200-1,500 m eleva- Poring and probably bumburing in other commu- tion and perhaps above. It is very rare in Sarawak nities. but abundant in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Dusun uses and management: The stems, which Java. There is also a variety on the Philippine are said to be easy to sharpen, were formerly used island of Palawan. At Mount Kinabalu, it is to make spears for inter-village warfare. found in disturbed sites in lowlands to lower Classification, uses and management else- montane forest, from 1,200-1,700 m asl. where in South-East Asia: none reported Conservation status: Although very rare, Botanical description and distribution: A slen- Pearce (1991:164) states that it is not threatened der palm, reaching 2 m in height. The stems may in Sarawak. Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) be solitary or clustered, and are pale grey or consider that the status is insufficiently known in brown. The crown bears about 6 leaves, which Sabah, but note that the species is found only at are divided into a few broad leaflets. The inflo- Mount Kinabalu. Considering its limited distrib- rescences are simple or divided once. The male ution and the fact that there are few recent col- flowers are cream in colour and fruity smelling. lections, it appears to be a rare rattan in the The fruit is red when ripe. At Mount Kinabalu, region. It is apparently not used by local people found along streams in lowlands and hill forest. and probably most of its range is protected with- Conservation status: Pearce (1991:164) consid- in Kinabalu Park, so it is not particularly vulner- ers the species is vulnerable in Sarawak if current able at this time. rates of habitat destruction continue; Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) classify the status as 2. PLECTOCOMIA MULLERI BLUME unknown in Sabah, but note that it is localized. Dusun name(s): mangkawaian in Kiau; soroh in Apparently rare at Mount Kinabalu, as it has Takutan and in Poring, where it is also known as been collected in only two - but rather distant - bondig. Said to be called mangkaian in Bundu localities. Tuhan, where it is found only in one place in the village about four hours from the town centre at XVII. Plectocomia approximately 1,000-1,200 m elevation. This could correspond to either P. mulleri or the 1. PLECTOCOMIA ELONGATA MART. EX closely related P. elongata. In Poring, it is said BLUME VAR. ELONGATA that soroh (P. mulleri) is a low elevation species that grows in disturbed areas near Poring, where- Dusun name(s): none recorded, but see notes as mangkawaian (possibly P. elongata) is a high- under the following species. er elevation species found in primary forest. Dusun uses and management: none recorded Dusun uses and management: In Poring, the Classification, uses and management else- unsplit stems are cut into suitably-sized pieces where in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984a) for use as table legs and in the manufacture of notes that the canes, though often very large, other furniture. The leaves are used to weave hats have a soft pith which makes their use in bent and thatch. The palm cabbage can be eaten and a cane articles impossible. They can be used in fermented drink (bahar in Dusun) is made from making some accessories such as coat hangers. the sap that is tapped from the leafy shoot. No Madulid (1991:252) notes that the stems of uses reported in Kiau or Bundu Tuhan, though another variety (P. elongata var. philippinensis

66 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS there is speculation that the stem could have been eaten, often accompanied by meat. Roasted in the used formerly as a walking stick, but the labour fire, it is reputed to be effective against nausea involved would appear to make this a very occa- and high blood pressure. The leaves can be used sional use. In Poring, a medicine made from boil- as thatch for temporary houses. ing the shoots is said to prevent pregnancy. It is Classification, uses and management else- used both by women and men. where in South-East Asia: Dransfield Classification, uses and management else- (1984a:40) notes that the cabbage is highly where in South-East Asia: Dransfield (1984a) esteemed but very bitter and that the cane is used notes that the canes, though often very large, in Sabah only for rough basketware or cordage. have a soft pith which makes their use in bent Pearce (1991:151) states that the cabbage is a cane articles impossible. They can be used in popular local vegetable sold in great quantities at making some accessories such as coat hangers. the Kuching Sunday market, in bundles of 3-4. It Pearce (1991) lists no uses in Sarawak for the may be roasted or boiled. The palm cabbage of a two species of Plectocomia. related species (P. mira) is said to be very poiso- Botanical description and distribution: A nous and to have caused fatalities among the Iban moderate to robust rattan, that may be either soli- people of Sarawak. tary or clustering. It climbs high in the forest Botanical description and distribution: A canopy, with stems reaching some 30 m. The moderate to robust, clustering rattan with stems stem without sheaths measure from 2-10 cm in of up to 30 m that form rather dense thickets. The diameter. The sheaths, which lack a knee, are stems without sheaths measure approximately 3 bright green and are armed with full or partial cm diameter. The sheaths are dull green with per- whorls of closely-placed, brown spines that are sistent grey fuzz, scattered reddish-brown scales up to 2 cm long. The leaves are variable, with up and abundant scattered golden-yellow spines up to 70 leaflets arranged in fanned groups of 2-5. It to 8 mm long. The sheaths lack a well-defined is widespread throughout Sabah from the low- knee and ochrea. The leaflets are bright shiny lands up to 1,400 m elevation, particularly in dis- green on both sides, and have golden-yellow turbed vegetation on poor soils; at Mount bristles on the mid-vein of the upper surface. It is Kinabalu growing on poor sandy soils in low- abundant in mixed dipterocarp forest of the lands and hill forest. Occasionally found in pri- Crocker Range at elevations up to 1,000 m and mary dipterocarp forest, but only on steep locally abundant elsewhere in Sabah, except for impoverished ridgetops or old landslips. It is also the eastern lowlands. Considered to be common found in other parts of Borneo and the southeast- throughout Borneo, Sumatra, southern Thailand ern part of the Malay Peninsula. and Malay Peninsula, typically in disturbed sites Conservation status: Kiew (1991:120) consid- of hill dipterocarp forest. At Kinabalu Park, it is ers it one of the palms most likely to become found in lowlands and hill forest around 600 m endangered in the Endau-Rompin State Forest asl. The ethnobotanical vouchers, measuring Park of West Malaysia. Pearce (1991:164) states some 10 m, were collected on a hillside in pri- that the species is not threatened in Sarawak. mary hill forest. Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) consider that Conservation status: Pearce (1991:164) states the status is insufficiently known in Sabah, but that it is vulnerable in Sarawak and is likely to note that the species is widespread. Around become endangered if current rates of exploita- Mount Kinabalu, it is not threatened. It grows tion (for its cabbage) and habitat destruction con- well in secondary vegetation across a broad tinue. Dransfield and Johnson (1991:178) con- range of elevations. The subsistence use is minor sider its status insufficiently known in Sabah, but and occasional. Harvesting the cane or leafy note it is relatively abundant in the Crocker shoot sap is rendered difficult by the often mas- Range. Around Kinabalu Park, it may be vulner- sive stem size and length of the rattan. able because of its limited distribution and apparent popularity as a source of palm cabbage. XVIII. Plectocomiopsis Because it is a clustering palm and often forms thickets, a moderate amount of the palm cabbage can be harvested without killing the plant. It 1. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS GEMINIFLORA could potentially be used for enrichment planting (GRIFF.) BECC. in secondary forest, particularly if a local market Dusun name(s): tomboruwah in Poring. The for the palm cabbage exists or were to develop. name tomboruwah also exists in Serinsim, but 2. PLECTOCOMIOPSIS MIRA J. DRANSF. the species could not be verified. Dusun uses and management: The dried, whole Dusun name(s): not known stems are sold in local markets, and are used for Dusun uses and management: none recorded table legs and other furniture. The split stems are Classification, uses and management else- used to make handicrafts. The palm cabbage, where in South-East Asia: Dransfield though bitter, is eaten raw, or is cooked and (1984a:43) reports no known uses. Pearce (1991:151) reports that the palm cabbage is said

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 67 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS to be very poisonous and to have caused fatalities black spines. The leaves measure up to 5 m long. among the Iban people of Sarawak. The leaflets are narrow, except for the terminal Botanical description and distribution: A pair, which are broad and compound and are moderately robust clustering rattan which climbs arranged in groups of 3 or 4. The leaflets are to some 40 m in the forest canopy. The stems shiny green above with a dull whitish lower sur- without sheaths, measure 1.5-2 cm in diameter, face, and bear small spines along their margins. and are slightly triangular in cross section. The The fruit, borne along the leaf sheaths, is round sheaths are bright green with a thin covering of and covered with scales with upturned tips. The silvery grey fuzz and sometimes with a few species is found in valley bottoms of hill forest, spines. The sheath lacks a knee but has a well- from 800-1,000 m asl, and rarely in the lowlands. defined orange-yellow ochrea to 3 cm. The The ethnobotanical vouchers were collected on a leaflets are bright green and broad. It is a local hillside in primary forest of Kambung Himbaan, rattan found in scattered localities around the Bundu Tuhan. state, typically growing in lowland and hill dipte- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson rocarp forest up to 900 m elevation. It is scattered (1991:175) note this species is among the most throughout Borneo, Sumatra and Malay threatened palms in Sabah, classified as endan- Peninsula. At Kinabalu Park, it has been collect- gered. Madulid (1991:212) notes that the species ed only twice on the southeast side of the Park is found in Davao and Zamboanga, where its sta- around 700 m asl. tus in indeterminate because the small popula- Conservation status: Dransfield and Johnson tions of the palm are threatened with habitat (1991:178) and Pearce (1991:162) consider that destruction. Around Mount Kinabalu, it is known the status is insufficiently known in Sabah and from a single specimen, collected by Doinis Sarawak, but it apparently has a scattered distri- Soibeh, one of the PEK collectors. bution in both states. Around Kinabalu Park, it is probably vulnerable because of widespread habi- 2. SALACCA DOLICHOLEPIS BURRET tat destruction outside the Park boundaries. Bukit Dusun name(s): torintid in Bundu Tuhan and Hempuen, the type locality, was degazetted from Kiau; bogung in Poring, Serinsim and Takutan. the Park in the 1980s and then burned over sev- All communities consider it to be a type of eral years later. Only one other population has palma. The name torintid also exists in Serinsim, been detected in ethnobotanical or general col- but refers to a different plant from bogung. Puka lecting since that time. is an alternative name used by some elderly people in Takutan. XIX. Salacca Dusun uses and management: The ripe fruits are eaten in all communities. The fruits are peeled and the sweet fleshy layer covering the 1. SALACCA CLEMENSIANA BECC. seed is chewed off. They can also be used to pre- Dusun name(s): Although called lambat by pare a fruit drink, adding sugar. The palm cab- some people in Bundu Tuhan, others say that it is bage can be eaten cooked in soup. The collection a type of torintid. Those who call it lambat con- from Serinsim was made from a home garden, sider it a tuai (though a short, non-climbing one) apparently cultivated or protected. while those who refer to it as torintid consider it Classification, uses and management else- a palma. Alim Biun, Sabah Parks naturalist from where in South-East Asia: None reported. Bundu Tuhan, considers that highland species of Botanical description and distribution: A clus- Salacca (possibly S. lophospatha, S. clemensiana tering palm, with a short, prostrate stem, often and perhaps S. dolicholepis) with edible fruits with stilt roots. The leaves measure up to 5 m (acid and astringent, but apparently turning sweet long, and the sheaths and petiole are densely upon maturing) are called torintid. Lowland armed with spines. There are up to 45 pairs of species, probably S. affinis or S. ramosiana, are leaflets, borne in fanned groups of three to five, called bogung. S. zalacca is referred to by the and the terminal pair are compound. The leaves Malay name salak; it is locally cultivated for its are green above, and dull grey beneath. The ripe edible fruit, which is sometimes pickled. fruits are black. Ethnobotanical vouchers, about Dusun uses and management: The leafy shoot 4 m in height, were collected in diverse zones: is considered edible and the leaves are used as hillsides, valley bottoms or riversides in cultivat- thatch for temporary shelters. Only a few people ed areas, secondary or primary forest. An endem- say that it has edible fruits. ic species of Mount Kinabalu which is found Classification, uses and management else- from 900-1,700 m asl in hill and lower montane where in South-East Asia: None reported. forest. Botanical description and distribution: A clus- Conservation status: Considered by Dransfield tering, spiny palm which is usually stemless but and Johnson (1991:179) as endangered, among occasionally the stem reaches 1 m. The leaf the most threatened palms in Sabah. sheath and petiole are both armed with long,

68 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS 3. SALACCA LOPHOSPATHA J.DRANSF. & XX. Nypa MOGEA BECC. Dusun name(s): Not known, but probably clas- 1. NYPA FRUTICANS WURMB. sified with other Salacca species as torintid in Bundu Tuhan and Kiau. Dusun name(s): nipah, the Malay name for the Dusun uses and management: Not known. palm is used in Dusun as well. Classification, uses and management else- Dusun uses and management: The young where in South-East Asia: n/a leaves are used as cigarette papers in Poring and Botanical description and distribution: A clus- other communities. Although the palm is not tering, very spiny palm with no apparent stem. found around Poring, the leaves can be obtained Found at 900 m asl in hill forest. An endemic of from Ranau market and elsewhere around Mount Mount Kinabalu. Kinabalu. Corn husks, which are readily avail- Conservation status: Considered by Dransfield able, are used where nipah leaves are not avail- and Johnson (1991:175) as endangered or possi- able (for example in Takutan). bly extinct, certainly the most threatened palm in Classification, uses and management else- Sabah. It is known from a single specimen col- where in South-East Asia: The nipah palm has lected at Dallas by the Clemens in the early many ethnobotanical uses. Pearce (1991:147) 1930s and described in 1942. notes that the leaflets are used to make thatch, hats, mats, bags and baskets; the midribs are used 4. SALACCA AFF. VERMICULARIS BECC. to manufacture brooms and string. The young Dusun name(s): bogung in Takutan. unexpanded leaflets are used to make cigarette Dusun uses and management: The ripe fruits papers and to wrap cooked rice. Salt is obtained are peeled and the sweet fleshy layer covering from the petioles and stem of the palm, which the seed is eaten raw. also yields sap that can be used as a beverage or Classification, uses and management else- to produce sugar, alcohol and vinegar. The meat where in South-East Asia: None reported of the young nuts is edible Botanical description and distribution: A Botanical description and distribution: This massive, stemless and clustering palm. The leaf palm forms extensive stands due to its creeping sheath is armed with dark brown spines, habit. The prostrate stems are usually submerged arranged in whorls below, and in pairs or scat- in mud. They branch dichotomously, each termi- tered higher up. The leaves are up to 7 m long, nal shoot producing a cluster of leaves. The also armed with spines along the petiole. The leaves reach up to 7 m tall, are held erect and leaflets are dark green above and grey beneath, bear closely arranged lanceolate leaflets. The and are borne in groups of three to five on the inflorescence produces a terminal spike of yel- leaf axis. The inflorescence is massive. The low, female flowers and lateral branches of male flowers are red and musty-smelling. The cream, male flowers. The fruits are brown and fruits are black, and are borne at ground level. tightly clustered, forming a large fruiting head, Endemic to Borneo. Ethnobotanical voucher which floats on the water surface. The nipah collected in valley bottom in lowland primary palm is an important component of the mangrove forest. forests of Southeast Asia and the West Pacific. It Conservation status: Pearce (1991:164) consid- grows along river banks and in shallow lagoons ers that the status of S. vermicularis is insuffi- in brackish waters, often forming almost pure ciently known in Sarawak. Apparently quite stands. scarce around Mount Kinabalu and possibly Conservation status: Pearce (1991:163) consid- threatened. ers that the nipah palm is not threatened in Sarawak, and Dransfield and Johnson (1991: In addition to the palms growing at Mount 178) classify it in the same way for Sabah. It has Kinabalu, other species are found in local mar- apparently been planted in the past and is still kets, including the following: abundant, although alternative land use (construction and plantations) is affecting some populations.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 69 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Photo credit: Gary J. Martin

70 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Ethnobiological inventories, biodiversity loss and erosion of local knowledge

The data presented in this working paper provide manage the resulting biological data. In the a strong argument for local participation in bio- words of the foundation, the justification for this diversity inventories. As the diligent work of the multibillion dollar programme is that it will: PEK collectors shows, community-based inven- “1) give us, for the first time, a complete list of tories: who is here,” the roster of our fellow inhab- 1) enhance regional floras by providing more itants; complete assessments of plant species in a 2) provide a reliable baseline for counting range of habitats; populations and determining endangered 2) lay the foundation for detailed ethnobotan- species; ical research based on broad surveys of 3) form the foundation for developing a com- plant names and uses; and plete genome of all life, and a new under- 3) enrich studies on the ecology and evolution standing of nature; of the flora through systematic documenta- 4) uncover multitudes of new species, many tion of geographical distribution of taxa. of which will have immediate cultural and When the People and Plants Initiative started economic impacts; in 1992, a focus on local plant collecting to 5) train many people as naturalists and scien- enhance biological inventories was not on the cutting edge of ethnobotany and biodi- Erosion includes not only genetic ero- versity studies. Over the past eight years, the sion and erosion of species, soils and global and local context has been trans- the atmosphere - but also the erosion formed. of knowledge and the global erosion of equitable relations. The call for a global P.R. Mooney (1999:3) biodiversity inventory tists, who can leverage these skills further In 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity in their own lives and that of society; and (CBD) - echoing many other international decla- 6) distribute wealth from the developed world rations - called for a range of challenging to far corners of the Earth by employing approaches to conserve biodiversity, promote its indigenous and native observers and col- sustainable use and ensure the equitable sharing lectors.” of benefits from its commercial exploitation. One Another major step for biodiversity invento- of the specific activities to have emerged from ry is the Global Biodiversity Information Facility the Convention is the Global Taxonomy (GBIF) established by the Organisation for Initiative (GTI), which was established by the Economic Cooperation and Development Conference of the Parties to address the lack of (OECD) Megascience Forum Working Group on taxonomic information and expertise available in Biological Informatics. In January 1996, the many parts of the world, thus improving deci- Working Group's Biodiversity Informatics sion-making in conservation, sustainable use and Subgroup concluded that existing biodiversity equitable sharing of the benefits derived from and ecosystems information is neither readily genetic resources. The GTI is specifically intend- accessible nor fully useful. They also realized ed to support implementation of the work pro- that recent technological and political develop- grammes of the Convention on thematic and ments present leadership opportunities for cross-cutting issues. OECD countries to provide access to this infor- A similar call has come from a non-profit mation, which they characterized as vast and foundation called All Species (www.all- complex and of critical importance to society. As species.org), whose goal is to record and sample of March 2001, 14 countries had joined the every form of life during our generation. This Facility and collectively pledged over 2.5 million initiative calls for funding and training of a net- US dollars to support GBIF’s first year of opera- work of local collectors and naturalists. The tion. Its goal is to provide world-wide access, via inventory would be matched with an effort to the Internet, to information about the 1.8 million employ advances in information technology to species of organisms that are known and classi- PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 71 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS fied. These data are mostly concentrated in nobotanical research and action. Along with developed countries and are not easily accessible other approaches, community biodiversity inven- especially to the developing countries from tories can contribute to improving people’s stan- which much of the data originated. dard of living by encouraging the: Mohamed Kassas (2001), renowned desert 1) maintenance of traditional crop varieties, ecologist and past president of the World and the related use of non-cultivated plants Conservation Union (IUCN), has identified sev- in traditional agricultural systems; eral gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity that 2) sustainability of critical resources marketed these approaches could ameliorate. Foremost on a regional or international level; among these in his opinion is the lack of a com- 3) continuity in knowledge and subsistence plete inventory of global species diversity. This systems based on a wide range of plant has been termed the 'global taxonomic impedi- resources and ment', and is limiting progress in biodiversity 4) protection of forests, wetlands and other programmes encouraged under the CBD. Based habitats essential for water catchment pro- on a best guess estimate of 10 million species, tection, ecotourism and other benefits. Kassas suggests that only 18% (1.8 million species) have been classified and named. Integrating global and local per- Another gap relates to our lack of understanding of the role of each species in the ecosystem, spectives which is key to setting priorities for conserva- An important way of integrating local and global tion. Kassas also raises concerns about our limit- demands to complete biodiversity inventories is ed ability to assess and forecast bio-ecological to build teams of researchers, Park personnel and degradation. Drawing upon the writings of Pat community members. The assessments carried Mooney (1999), he extends this concept of out by local people, in collaboration with degradation to the erosion of local knowledge researchers, NGOs and governmental agencies, and cultural practices. focus on issues of greatest importance to them. Often, these include the decline in access to for- Local benefits from resource est resources and the erosion of local knowledge inventories systems. Providing communities with concepts, tools and empirical results drawn from global While it is clear that community-based invento- science helps them guide conservation and ries can contribute to a global initiative in biodi- development initiatives in a way that meets their versity information, how do they fit the goals and concerns and expectations. aspirations of local people? During the last The relationship between outside researchers decade, globalization and free market policies and local participants in field studies has been have led to rapid economic growth and an evolving for more than two centuries. In some enhanced standard of living for only some peo- projects, local people serve solely as informants, ple. Those who profit least from development are giving linguistic or cultural information in often from disadvantaged groups in rural and response to the queries of an outside investigator. urban communities, including women, indige- This practice began during the heyday of botani- nous people and the rural poor. cal exploration of tropical countries in the 1800s, A growing number of people insist that eco- when botanists such as J.D. Hooker - who nomic development should not come at the worked extensively in India and other Asian expense of cultural, linguistic and biological countries - regularly sought the assistance of diversity. For example, Pat Mooney (1999) has local men who could collect, prepare and trans- observed that “linguists have begun to recognize port botanical specimens. Because these the gravity of the homogenization, especially for researchers had the dual goal of describing plant the poor. At least 70 percent of the people in the species new to science and discovering their util- South depend on traditional healers for their ity and commercial potential, they often asked medical care. Along with language, the poor are their assistants about local uses and classifica- losing their knowledge of the medicinal preparation. Botanists continued this practice in the tions they customarily utilized… Talking about a 1900s. For example, H.H. Bartlett (1940) - who ‘crash in cultural and intellectual diversity simi- employed many local assistants during his field- lar to what biologists say is happening to animal work in Asia - drew insights about plant taxono- and plant species’, linguists warn that only five my from the indigenous systems of classification percent of the world’s remaining languages are he encountered. not endangered. The speakers of the languages In recent years, local people have been are also endangered.” trained as parataxonomists or paraecologists, The People and Plants Initiative has sought (terms inspired by the concept of paramedics, to vitalize biological, cultural and linguistic people trained to assist medical professionals in diversity by focusing on community-based eth- providing emergency health care). They partici-

72 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS pate in taxonomic and ecological studies of calling for a different mode of research in which plants, mammals, insects, soil micro-organisms local people take greater responsibility for guid- and many other forms of life, often at protected ing the design and implementation of the project. areas or research stations in tropical countries. These cultural promoters (a term borrowed from For example, a national training programme of the concept of 'health promoters', community parataxonomists organized by Costa Rica's members who have received basic training in pri- Institute of Biodiversity has as its goal the full mary medicine) have the potential of becoming inventory of biological organisms in the country equal partners of external researchers. They tend (Janzen et al. 1993). As interest in ethnobotany to concentrate on issues that are of importance to grows, the traditional ecological knowledge of their community, taking a holistic view of the these local assistants becomes an increasingly role of plants and animals in local culture. valuable asset to outside researchers (Naisbitt Contrary to many parataxonomists - who may 2000). pay little attention to recording local biological Some ethnobiologists, eager to expand the knowledge and often make collections far from role of local people beyond that of informant or home in protected or remote areas - ethnobotani- plant collector, have begun to employ them to cal promoters stay in their own communities to record a wide range of ethnobiological data in survey local uses of plants and to collect speci- their mother tongue. Brent Berlin (1984), an mens in nearby fields and forests. In this way, American anthropologist who has extensive they are able to integrate their ethnoecological experience with Maya counterparts in Mexico work into the general life of their village, apply- and with Aguaruna collaborators in Peru, ing the results to community development, edu- described the role that indigenous people can cation and the rational use of local resources. play as research assistants in ethnobotanical pro- Because they are part of the community, they jects: have a special ability to record local ecological “Not only can native assistants be taught to knowledge, cultivate gardens of useful plants, collect plant specimens, thus greatly increasing- create biodiversity registers and pursue many ly the botanical coverage for a particular region, others ways of returning the results of their but they can also be encouraged to produce the research to their fellow villagers (Martin and kinds of valuable information on native knowl- Semple 1994). edge of the plant world and of the application of Among the many young people who pursue this knowledge in daily life ... The benefits of a formal education, some do not leave behind widening the scope of routine botanizing in the their local traditions and language. They choose American tropics to include these kinds of eth- to return to their communities to integrate what nobotanical data is underscored by the rapid and they study in the university with what they learn often deleterious social and ecological transfor- from their relatives and elders, combining their mation of the neotropics... If extensive ethnob- roles as researchers and local people. It is at this otanical data are to be collected in the American point that ethnobotany comes full circle, from a tropics before the turn of the century, the work in discipline that looks at how other people interact large part must be coordinated by modern with nature to one that provides tools and con- botanists who accept the challenge of including cepts that allow people to investigate and refine native botanists as an integral part of their ongo- their own traditional knowledge of the environ- ing research programs.” ment. Jason Clay (1988), an anthropologist who Members of some communities, taking this has promoted the role of indigenous peoples in process a step further, are beginning to document conservation and development projects, echoes local knowledge and biological resources in a this perspective. Noting that some researchers way that limits the participation of external who study tropical forests ignore indigenous researchers. In India, for example, there is a people, he recommends that all scientists collab- grassroots movement to create community agri- orate with local guides and assistants from cultural biodiversity registers and seedbanks. As groups living in tropical rain forests. This is described by Navdanya, an Indian non-govern- already a reality in areas such as the Comarca mental organization which is promoting these San Blas in Panama, where the resident Kuna actions (Anonymous 1995), Indians have approved a research code which “A community register is the documentation requires visiting scientists to be accompanied at of the resources and knowledge of local commu- all times by a local assistant, who thus acquires nities at the local, regional and national levels by research skills and scientific insights about natur- the people themselves for the purpose of rejuve- al resources (Chapin 1991). nating the ecological basis of agriculture and the Even when local collaborators become an economic status of farmers...The purpose of the integral part of the research team, they do not community register is to serve the needs of the typically define the goals, methods and applica- local agricultural communities and not the needs tion of the research. Some ethnobotanists are of non-local commercial interests who need bio-

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 73 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS diversity for raw material...However, since com- upon the results of scientific research projects as munity needs and community rights also need to they mobilize themselves to claim land rights or be recognized and taken into account in national create management plans for the natural policy formulation, a national community reg- resources they control. These local political istry built out of local registers becomes a polit- movements may have a positive feedback on ical imperative to deal with the property regimes development projects in which people are pas- emerging from intellectual property rights laws sive participants, ensuring that they are benefi- emanating from the GATT/WTO [Global ciaries rather than victims of development. Agreement on Trade and Tariffs/World Trade Thus PEK illustrates the potential for local Organization].” collaborators to become integral members of These community-controlled inventories of research teams formed to identify and tackle con- biodiversity and local knowledge open the door servation and development problems. This is a to innovative ways of defending the land, common practice in People and Plants projects, resources and intellectual property rights of in which researchers, local resource-users and indigenous and local communities. When sharing resource managers have all contributed their own of knowledge between different communities is particular knowledge, skills and perspectives to desirable, the exchange can take place in the the identification of priority local conservation local language, stressing common ways of under- and development issues. Local participation also standing the natural world and traditional contributes to the design of research by giving lifestyles. The final goal of this movement is to insights into the conceptual analysis and dissem- produce community researchers who have the ination of the results of participatory research, tools to carry out their own analyses of biodiver- and in the search for ways to make practical sity, thus limiting the outflow of knowledge and improvements. This typically involves an inci- genetic resources that may be used for personal sive approach to the identification of critical gain by external participants. local problems, often with an initial scoping sur- When results need to be shared with external vey, followed by concentration on topics of researchers and government officials, the com- pressing local concern. This range of ‘material munity can draw upon university-trained consul- incentive’, ‘functional’ and ‘interactive’ partici- tants to provide taxonomic identifications, analy- pation can provide a foundation for self-mobi- ses of sustainability and assessments of the com- lized action advocated by community members. patibility of current land-use practices with conservation policies. As Marcus Colchester Revisioning participatory (1994:57) has noted, “...many indigenous communities are fully approaches to biodiversity aware of the fact that as pressure on their lands inventory from outside intensifies and as their own economies and social organization change to The PEK and similar broad-based inventories accommodate their increasing involvement in the generate a large amount of information and market economy, they need to elaborate new involve many people. They have the potential to mechanisms to control and use their resources. stimulate new, and sometimes unexpected, initia- Ecologists, social scientists, lawyers and devel- tives in a variety of fields, based on community opment advisors may have relevant knowledge to concerns and scientific interests. Long-term contribute to such indigenous communities to monitoring of the PEK will determine the practi- help them achieve this transition. Their role, cal long-term benefits of local involvement in however, is to act as advisers to indigenous man- inventories, including their impact on the conser- agers rather than as directors of indigenous ven- vation of botanical and cultural diversity. It will tures.” also provide insights into the extent to which The various types of collaboration between local participation in botanical surveys encour- external researchers and local people, summa- ages sustainable resource use. rized in table 5.1, suggest the diversity of ways The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the that ethnobotanical projects may begin and then CBD provides additional guidance on how to evolve over time. For example, many conven- proceed with biodiversity inventories that con- tional researchers start by surveying or inter- tribute not only to a global taxonomic initiative viewing an initial group of informants, then pro- but also to local needs. Of particular relevance ceed with the selection of assistants that can are discussions on the implementation of Article carry out a detailed, long-term inventory of bio- 8(j), which recognizes ‘the need to respect, pre- logical resources. As local people define their serve and maintain knowledge, innovations and own interest in characterizing their knowledge practices of indigenous and local communities and management of the environment, they may embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the form community groups which decide on the conservation and sustainable use of biological design, methodology and application of further diversity and promote their wider application’. phases of the project. In some cases they draw As part of a formal decision adopted at the fifth

74 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS COP meeting in Nairobi in May 2000 Further reading (UNEP/CBD/COP/5/5), an ad hoc Working Group established a programme of work on the Anonymous. 1995. Community Agricultural implementation of article 8(j) and related provi- Biodiversity Register, draft dated January 1995. sions. In the spirit of this programme, it is rec- NAVDANYA, New Delhi. ommended that any future biodiversity invento- Bartlett, H.H. 1940. The concept of the genus. I. ries involving local peoples be guided by gener- History of the generic concept in botany. Bulletin al principles advocating that: of the Torrey Botanical Club 67(5): 349-362. 1. there be full and effective participation of Berlin, B. 1984. Contributions of Native American men and women from indigenous and local collectors to the ethnobotany of the Neotropics. Pages 24-33. In: Prance, G.T. & Kallunki, J. A. communities in all stages of the identifica- (eds). Ethnobotany in the Neotropics, Advances tion and implementation of the elements of in Economic Botany 1:24-33. New York, New the programme of work. York Botanical Garden. 2. traditional knowledge should be valued, Clay, J.W. 1988. Indigenous Peoples and Tropical given the same respect and considered as Forests - Models of Land Use and Management useful and necessary as other forms of from Latin America. Cultural Survival Report 27. knowledge. Cultural Survival, Inc., Cambridge, 3. a holistic approach be adopted, consistent Massachusetts. with the spiritual and cultural values and Chapin, M. 1991. How the Kuna keep the scientists in customary practices of the indigenous and line. Cultural Survival Quarterly 15(3): 17. local communities and their rights to have Colchester, M. 1994. Salvaging Nature: Indigenous control over their traditional knowledge, Peoples, Protected Areas and Biodiversity innovations and practices. Conservation. Discussion Paper 55. United 4. the ecosystem approach should be a foun- Nations Research Institute for Social dation for the work, as it provides a strate- Development, Geneva. gy for the integrated management of land, Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs, W., Jimenez, J. & Gamez, water and living resources that promotes R.. 1993. The role of parataxonomists, inventory conservation and sustainable use of biolog- managers and taxonomists in Costa Rica's nation- ical diversity in an equitable way. al biodiversity inventory. In: W. Reid, W, Laird, S., Meyer, C., Gamez, R., Sittenfeld, A., Janzen, 5. access to traditional knowledge, innova- D.H., Gollin, M. & Juma, C. (Eds). Biodiversity tions and practices of indigenous and local Prospecting, pp. 223-254. World Resources communities should be subject to prior Institute, Washington, D.C. informed consent or prior informed Kassas, M. 2001. Biodiversity: Gaps in Knowledge. approval from the holders of such knowl- Paper presented to the UNESCO Regional edge, innovations and practices. Training Workshop on 'Taxonomic Capacity These guidelines emphasize that gaining a Building and Biodiversity Conservation in the better knowledge of the identity, uses and values Arabic Countries. 14-18 May. Sharm El Sheikh, of biological resources managed by local people Southern Sinai, Egypt. is only the beginning of a more complex process Martin, G.J. & Semple, A.. 1994. Joint ventures in of biocultural conservation. If researchers take applied ethnobotany. Nature & Resources 30:5- up the opportunity to work with local people, 17. they will have a moral obligation to participate in Mooney, P.R. 1999. The ETC Century: Erosion, the innovation of mechanisms to protect intellec- Technological Transformation and Corporate tual property rights and promote the continued Concentration in the 21st Century. Development development of local knowledge of the natural Dialogue 1999:1-2. world. Through their collaborative efforts, scien- Naisbitt, N. 2000. Parataxonomists. Whole Earth tists, politicians and community members will 102:28 - 31. have a better basis for taking action on biodiver- Pimbert, M. & Pretty, J.N. 1995. Parks, People and sity conservation and the equitable sharing of Professionals: Putting 'Participation' into Protected Area Management. Discussion Paper benefits that come from the sustainable use of 57. United Nations Research Institute for Social plant genetic resources. Development, Geneva.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 75 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Box 5. A typology of local people's

Participants ‘Victims’ or ‘beneficiaries’ of development

Informants, interviewees & survey respondents

Parataxonomists, plant collectors & research assistants; and governmental health, nutrition and cultural promoters

Community promoters & researchers

Indigenous researchers & registrars of local biological resources

76 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS participation in ethnobotanical projects (modified from Pimbert and Pretty 1995)

Type of participation Components of each type

Passive participation People participate by being told what is going to happen or what has already happened. It is uni- lateral announcement by an administration or project management without listening to people's responses. The information being shared belongs only to external professionals. Examples include introducing improved varieties of crop plants, distributing pharmaceutical products through health clinics and relocating local people to make way for dam reservoirs or other development initiatives. Depending on the compatibility of these external development projects with local desires, people may benefit or be victimized.

Participation by providing People participate by answering questions posed by researchers and project man- information agers using questionnaires or similar approaches, which do not always require face-to-face interaction. People may not have the opportunity to influence proceedings, in part because the project design or findings of the research are not always shared or checked for accuracy. Survey approaches favored by rural sociologists exemplify this type of participation. Participation by consultation People participate by being consulted, and external agents listen to their views. These external agents often define both problems and solutions, and may modify these in the light of people's responses. Such a consultative process does not necessarily concede any share in decision- making. Professionals are under no obligation to accept people's views, but the direct contact and personal relationships they form during the consultation often influence them. Conventional methods of anthropologists, including interviewing and participant observation, fall into this category.

Participation for People participate by providing resources, for example labor, in return for material incentives food, cash or other material incentives. Much in-situ research and bio-prospecting falls in this category, as rural people provide the resources but are not involved in experimentation or the process of learning. Local people often have no stake in prolonging activities when the incentives end, but they may employ the skills they have acquired to design and implement their own community projects. Many floristic and ethnobotanical inventories carried out with local people depend on this kind of participation. Functional participation People participate by forming groups (or modifying existing ones) to meet predetermined objectives related to the project, which can involve the promotion of externally initiated social organization. Although local involvement does not tend to be at early stages of planning but only after major decisions have been made, there are usually opportunities for community feedback during the course of the project. The community institutions tend to be dependent on external initiators and facilitators, but may become independent later. Many governmental training pro- rams for local health, nutrition and cultural promoters fall in this category.

Interactive participation People participate in joint analysis, including participatory rural appraisal, which leads to action plans and the formation of new local groups or the strengthening of existing ones. The analysis tends to involve interdisciplinary methodologies that seek multiple perspectives and make use of systematic and structured learning processes. These groups take control over local decisions, and so people have a stake in maintaining structures or practices.

Self-mobilization People participate by taking initiatives independent of external institutions. Such self-initiated mobilization and collective action may or may not challenge existing production systems or distributions of wealth and power. External collaborators may be invited at certain stages of the project, or they may be excluded entirely. Some inventories of crop genetic resources or wild useful plants carried out by communities or indigenous groups exemplify this level of participation.

PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 77 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Acknowledgements

The PEK was initiated with support from the World Wide Fund for Nature - International (as an extension of WWF Project 3325 on Palms for Human Needs in Asia) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Additional funds were given by the Tropical Forestry Program of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. In 1993, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation provided a first grant to Sabah Parks for the PEK, and it approved a second three-year grant in 1996. A no-cost extension from the MacArthur Foundation is continuing to provide support for the project through 2002. The People and Plants Initiative provided logistical support for the project from 1992 - 1999. The Flora of Mount Kinabalu floristic inventory has been supported by the National Science Foundation and the Institute of Biodiversity and Environmental Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak. Some sections of this working paper were originally included in a National Science Foundation proposal and final report submitted by John H. Beaman, and in manu- scripts for the Plants of Mount Kinabalu volume on gymnosperms and non-orchid monocotyledons, and the volume on dicotyledon families A - L. Additional sections are based on reports prepared for the People and Plants South-East Asia program. We would like to thank Datuk Lamri Ali, Director of Sabah Parks, for the support he provided throughout this project. Representatives of the various Dusun communities provided permission to carry out field research, including the collection of ethnobotanical voucher specimens by community participants . Naturalists Alim Biun and Ansow Gunsalam, former Ranger Gabriel Sinit, and former directors of Projek Etnobotani Kinabalu Ludi Apin and Luisa Majuakim assisted the work described here. Additionally, Francis Liew, Deputy Director of Sabah Parks, has greatly facilitated the research in many ways. John Dransfield participated in the first etnobotanical training workshop in July 1992, and has identified palm collections made during the project. Charles C. Davis III worked for six months as a field assistant on Mount Kinabalu, working with the local collectors. Alison L. Hoare contributed herbarium and bibliographic data from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Fenella Cooke provided valuable information on herbarium collections at the Forestry Research Centre, Sandakan. Agnes Lee Agama assisted on the processing of PEK herbarium specimens at Kew and provided a synopsis of her doctoral research in Kiau. Reed Beaman prepared the map presented here as Figure 1. We appreciate reviews of the manuscript by Sasha Barrow, Alan Hamilton, Hew Prendergast and Martin Walters.

78 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS References

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PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 79 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Jacobson, G. 1970. Gunong Kinabalu Area, Sabah, Pages 263-278. In: G. Ismail & M. Mohamed, Malaysia. Geological Survey Malaysia. Report 8. (eds.), Biodiversity Conservation in Asia: Kuching, Government Printing Office. Emerging Issues and Regional Needs. London, Janzen, D.H., Hallwachs W., Jiménez J., Gámez R. ASEAN Academic Press. 1993. Biodiversity Prospecting. Washington Martin, G.J. & Pimbert M. 1993. Parataxonomists or D.C., World Resources Institute. Ethnobotanical Promoters? Journal of Johnson, D. 1991. Palms in Asia: the broader view. Ethnobiology 13(2): 299-301. Pages 227-235. In: Johnson D., (ed.), Palms for Martin, G.J., Posey D. A. & Hoare A., (eds.). 1996. Human Needs in Asia: Palm Utilization and Protecting Rights: Legal and Ethical Implications Conservation in India, Indonesia, Malaysia and of Ethnobiology. 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80 PEOPLE AND PLANTS WORKING PAPER 9, FEBRUARY 2002 PROJEK ETNOBOTANI KINABALU G.J. MARTIN, A. LEE AGAMA, J.H. BEAMAN & J. NAIS Already published in this series:

1. Cunningham, A. B. 1993. African medicinal plants: Setting priorities at the interface between conservation and primary healthcare. (This publication is also available in Spanish.)

2. Cunningham, A. B. and Mbenkum, F.T. 1993. Sustainability of harvesting Prunus africana bark in Cameroon: A medicinal plant in international trade.

3. Aumeeruddy, Y. 1994. Local representations and management of agroforests on the periphery of Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. (This publication is also available in French and Spanish.)

4. Cunningham, A. B. 1996. People, park and plant use: Recommendations for multiple-use zones and development alternatives around Bwindi Impenetable National Park, Uganda. (This publication is also available in French.)

5. Wild, R. and Mutebi, J. 1996. Conservation through community use of plant resources: Establishing collaborative management at Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga Gorilla National Parks, Uganda. (This publication is also available in French.)

6. Höft, M., Barik, S.K. and Lykke, A.M. 1999. Quantitative ethnobotany: Applications of multivariate and sta- tistical analyses in ethnobotany.

7. Aumeeruddy-Thomas, Y., Saigal, S., Kapoor, N. and Cunningham, A. B. 1999. Joint management in the making: Reflections and experiences.

8. Maundu, P., Berger, D., Saitabau, C. ole,. Nasieku, J., Kukutia, M., Kipelian, M., Kone, S., Mathenge, S., Morimoto, Y., Höft, R. 2001. Ethnobotany of the Loita Maasai: Towards community management of the Forest of the Lost Child. Experiences from the Loita Ethnobotany Project. The People and Plants Initiative was started in July 1992 by WWF, UNESCO and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to promote the sustainable and equitable use of plant resources through providing support to ethnobotanists from developing countries.

The initiative stems from the recognition that people in rural communities often have detailed and profound knowledge of the properties and ecology of locally occurring plants, and rely on them for many of their foods, medicines, fuel, building materials and other products. However, much of this knowledge is being lost with the transformation of local ecosystems and local cultures. Over- Contact addresses: harvesting of non cultivated plants is increasingly common, caused by loss of habitat, increase in local WWF International use and the growing demands of trade. Long-term Plant Conservation Officer conservation of plant resources and the knowledge Panda House, Weyside Park associated with them is needed for the benefit of the Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR local people and for their potential use to local UNITED KINGDOM communities in other places. Fax: 44 1483 426409

The diversity of traditional plant-resource management practices runs through a spectrum from “cultivation” through to gathering “wild” plants, all of which are included in the People and Plants Division of Ecological Sciences approach. Man and the Biosphere Programme UNESCO, 7 Place de Fontenoy Ethnobotanists can work together with local people to 75352 Paris Cedex 07 SP study and record the uses of plant resources, identify FRANCE cases of over-harvesting of non-cultivated plants, find Fax: 33 1 45685804 sustainable harvesting methods and investigate alternatives such as cultivation.

The People and Plants initiative is building support for ethnobotanists from developing countries who The Director work with local people on issues related to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew conservation of both plant resources and traditional Richmond ecological knowledge. Key participants organize Surrey TW9 3AB participatory workshops, undertake discussion and UNITED KINGDOM advisory visits to field projects and provide literature Fax: 44 181 3325278 on ethnobotany, traditional ecological knowledge and sustainable plant resource use. It is hoped that a network of ethnobotanists working on these issues in different countries and regions can be developed to exchange information, share experience and collaborate on field projects.

Please visit our website at: http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/peopleplants