Edelweiss (Anaphalis maxima), eternal flower that only exists in Java

Anaphalis who is better known by the name Edelweiss lives at high altitudes 1.600 to 3.600 meters above sea level. This flower has many ecological benefits, such as a source of food for certain insects. In addition, the bark of this plant is gaps and contains a lot of water, so that it can be a place of life for some types of moss and lichen. These Anaphalis branches are so close that they are inviting different types of birds to make nests. Likewise with the root that appears on the ground surface, is a place where certain fungi live forming mycorrhizae. The mushrooms get oxygen and space live, while Anaphalis gets nutrients from mushrooms. The thing is causing these plants to live in soil that is poor in nutrients such as in a mountainous area.

Indonesia has 4 types of Anaphalis viz Anaphalis javanica, Anaphalis viscida, Anaphalis longifolia, and Anaphalis maxima. Anaphalis maxima is a type of edelweiss that grows endemic to Java. Different from other types, Anaphalis maxima has larger leaf and flower sizes. The flowers can last a long time in dry conditions and have a special lemon scent. That is what makes this flower not only attractive to pollinator insects, but also the jail hands of climbers who want to pick it up. The increasing number of climbing routes opening without proper management has made its existence even more threatened.

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