Coastal occurrence and morphological consistency of the underutilized legume dema (Ormocarpum orientale) in Supiori, Papua
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46549/jipvet.v16i3.713Keywords:
Ormocarpum orientale, coastal occurrence, native tree legume, forage resource, PapuaAbstract
Underutilized native legumes can broaden forage options, but ecological occurrence and identity should be established before development. This exploratory study documented the coastal occurrence, morphology, associated vegetation, and locally reported uses of dema, field-identified as Ormocarpum orientale (Spreng.) Merr., in Eastern Supiori, Papua. Surveys in Pariem, Wafor, and Yendoker used line-transect-guided exploration, 15 observation plots, morphological recording, vegetation inventory, and key-informant interviews. Dema was recorded only in the very low-elevation coastal settings surveyed, on calcareous, sandy, and alluvial-sandy substrates, with site pH 5.7-7.2. Seventy-five trees were recorded (40 in Wafor, 34 in Yendoker, and one in Pariem), although unequal plot allocation precluded density or habitat-preference inference. Leaves, stems, pods, and most floral characters were broadly consistent among sites and with the field concept previously reported from Sarmi; flower colour and stem diameter varied locally. Forty associated plant species comprised non-forage vegetation (45%), other forage plants (25%), grasses (15%), and legumes (15%). Local reports described coastal buffering, herbal use, vegetable consumption, fencing, and support for climbing betel. The study therefore provides a second Papuan ecological-morphological baseline for this underutilized legume rather than evidence of forage performance or measured coastal protection. Voucher-based taxonomic verification, standardized coast-to-inland sampling, propagation trials, Supiori-specific nutritional and anti-nutritional profiling, digestibility and palatability testing, and controlled feeding trials are required before utilization recommendations.
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