SIE3006 ECONOMIC BOTANY

CAMERON HIGHLANDS REPORT

GROUP MEMBERS:

MISHA MAISARAH BINTI MOHD NOORAMIN U2103627

NURUL FATIHAH BINTI BASRUN U2103549

NUR FAIQAH BINTI AZHAR U2002146

FAREEEZA NIRMALA BINTI MOHAINI U2103373

AIZATUL IZZATI BINTI ARIFFIN U2103626

LECTURER:

DR. POZI MILLOW

 CAMERON HIGHLAND FIELD TRIP
(6-7/1/2024)

DAY 1 (6/1/2024)

TIME ACTIVITIES ATTACHMENTS

6:50a.m Depart from ISB

10:30a.m Arrived Tapah Cacao fruit

(Visiting Stall Orang Asal)

Types of fruits/plants available:

1. Cacao fruit (Theobroma cacao)

2. Tampoi (Baccaura borneensis)
3. Rambai (Baccaura motleyana)
4. Pokok ayam emas (Polypodium
barometz)
5. Buah macang (Mangifera foetida)
6. Petai (Parkia speciosa) Buah tampoi

Information of the fruits/plants:

1. Cacao fruit (Theobroma cacao)

a. Benefits: The fruit and its powder
helps to lower blood pressure,
reduces diabetes risk, lowers
chances of heart disease,
reduces inflammation, improves
Buah rambai
mood, improves brain function
and enhances performance.
b. Side effect: There is caffeine in
cacao. Consuming too much
 caffeine may cause migraines,
stress and high blood pressure.
For pregnant women, it may
cause problems like constricting a
major blood vessel essential for
the baby’s circulation. For pets,
theobromine (chemical compound
in cacao) is very toxic to dogs and
cats. Your pet may have
symptoms like vomiting,
Bulu Emas
diarrhoea, panting and extreme
thirst and urination.
c. Ethnobotanical purposes :
i. Edible Plant Parts : Edible
Fruits, Edible Seeds
ii. Food (Herb and Spice):
The seeds are dried and
fermented in the sun to
make cocoa beans. The
cocoa beans then go
through further processing
including roasting,
crushing, grinding and
pressing to make
chocolate and cocoa
butter. Cocoa butter has
many applications in food,
cosmetic and
pharmaceutical industries.
(Fruit & Vegetable): The
fruit pulp surrounding the
seeds can be consumed Buah machang
raw or processed into
desserts.
iii. Others: The shells of
cocoa beans are crushed
 and used as mulching
materials.
2. Tampoi (Baccaura borneensis)
a. Ethnobotanical purposes
i. The fruits are edible,
sweet-sour. Sold in
markets and cultivated in
gardens.
ii. Traditional medicine for
treating fever, headaches,
and skin diseases. It is Petai

also used as an
ornamental plant in
gardens and as a food
source for livestock.
iii. The durable and strong
timber may be used in
construction.
3. Rambai (Baccaura motleyana)
a. Ethnobotanical purposes
i. Edible Plant Parts : Edible
Fruits
ii. Food (Fruit & Vegetable):
The fruit is edible.
iii. It is suitable for gardens,
parks or roadsides.
iv. Ornamental Fruits,
Fragrant (Flowers)

4. Pokok ayam emas (Cibotium barometz)

a. Benefits:
- The hair of the rhizome
can be used as a styptic
for bleeding wounds.
- Have anti-inflammatory
properties
 - Used to treat sickness like
fever, cough and other
respiratory ailments.
b. Side effect:
i. Allergic reactions like skin
irritation or itching.
ii. Gastrointestinal issues

5. Buah macang (Mangifera foetida)

a. Benefits:
i. The leaves are said to be
antipyretic
ii. The seeds are used
against trichophytosis,
scabies and eczema
iii. Although the sap irritates
the skin, it is used as a
lotion to treat ulcers
b. Ethnobotanical purposes
i. Edible Plant Parts : Edible
Fruits
ii. Food (Fruit & Vegetable):
Its fruits are used in
curries, pickles, rojak, and
to make chutneys or
sweetmeats.
iii. Medicinal: The bark can
be made into a lotion for
treating ulcers. The leaves
are said to alleviate or
prevent fever. Its seeds
are used against eczema,
scabies, and
trichophytosis.
iv. Timber & Products: The
wood is used for light
 indoor constructions.
v. Others: The resinous sap
in the stem is used to
deepen tattoo scars.

6. Petai (Parkia speciosa)

a. Benefits:
i. Source of fiber - good for
diet
ii. Improve digestion
iii. Rich in vitamins and
minerals - aids body to
heal wounds and fight
infections
iv. Boosts energy levels
b. Side effect:
i. These beans are high in
protein that, in the long
term, can lead to adverse
effects on your kidneys.
ii. Odor is very pervasive
and can stay in the
excretory system of your
body and in your mouth
for two to three days.
iii. Flatulence and bloating
c. Ethnobotanical purposes
i. Edible plant part: Long flat
bean with light green
seeds.
ii. Medicinal: These
bioactive compounds and
peptides possess different
medicinal properties like
anti-hypertensive,
 antioxidative,
anti-inflammatory,
anticancer, anti-microbial
activity, and
antinociceptive. It can
prevent anemia, lower
blood pressure, and
improve heart health, as it
is rich in iron, potassium,
and magnesium.
iii. Food: Eaten as vegetables,
salad and boiled.
Sometimes Petai were
added in dishes like fried
rice, sambal udang and in
stir-fried vegetables.

1:15p.m Arrived at Mushroom Farm (S’Corner Farm)

Types of mushroom available:

1. Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane

mushroom)
2. Ganoderma sp.
3. Pleurotus spp.
a. Pleurotus citrinopileatus (Golden
oyster)
b. Pleurotus ostreatus (Pearl oyster)
c. Pleurotus djamor (Pink oyster)

Information of each mushrooms:

1. Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane

mushroom)
 a. Benefits
i. Could protect against
dementia
ii. Help relieve mild
symptoms of depression
and anxiety
iii. May speed recovery from
nervous system injuries
iv. Protects against ulcers in
the digestive tract
v. Reduce risk of heart
disease
vi. Helps manage diabetes
symptoms
vii. May help fight cancer
viii. Reduce inflammation and
oxidative stress
ix. Boosts the immune
system
b. Side effects : gastrointestinal
discomfort, nausea and skin rash
c. Ethnobotanical purposes : The
mushroom can be used as
supplements, savoury dishes or
drinks.

2. Ganoderma sp.
a. Benefits:
i. Boosts immune system
ii. Anti-cancer properties
iii. Could reduce fatigue and
depression
b. Side effects : In some cases, it
can be a significant liver problem.
3. Pleurotus spp. (Generally)
a. Benefits
 i. Rich in nutrient
ii. Source of antioxidant
iii. Beneficial for heart health
iv. Promote blood sugar
regulation
v. Immune-supportive
benefits
vi. Potential anti-tumor
properties
vii. Gut health benefits
viii. Anti inflammatory
properties
ix. Versatile and delicious
b. Side effects : The mushroom may
cause allergies and is not suitable
for a sensitive stomach.
3:00p.m Checked-in the homestay
 DAY 2 (7/1/2024)

TIME ACTIVITIES ATTACHMENTS

8:00a.m Breakfast and checked-out from the homestay

9:00a.m Arrived at Mossy Forest, Brinchang

Overview of the Mossy Forest:

● Mossy Forest in Cameron Highlands is the

second highest peak in Cameron Highland.
It is located at an elevated position of 2,032
metres (6666ft) above the sea level.
● Mossy forest consists of Upper
Dipterocarps Forest and Montane Forest.

a. Upper dipterocarp forest:

○ Extremely diverse and it is

multilayered as the plants are
uneven in age.
○ The area where hill dipterocarp
forests seamlessly merge exhibits a
noticeable variation in the plant life.
○ The vegetation in this zone lacks
almost all lowland forms and
increasingly showcases montane
forms, which are predominant in the
adjacent higher zone.
○ The prevailing and characteristic
species in this zone is Shorea
platyclados.

b. Montane forest:
 ○ Cloudiness generally increases with
elevation, leading to consistently
moist conditions most of the time.
○ Such environments are occasionally
referred to as mossy forests.
○ They are characterized by cool
temperatures and high precipitation,
with rainfall remaining constant
throughout the year, reaching an
annual total of approximately 5,000
mm.
○ Bryophytes thrive luxuriantly,
forming a thick layer on the ground
and covering entire tree trunks as
well as tree crowns.
○ These areas exhibit abundant
mossiness and are rich in
epiphytes.

● The mossy forest is located on the state

border between Perak and Pahang.
● In the realm of forest management, the
Mossy Forests Park area is recognized as
cloud forests, which are typically tropical or
subtropical forests. These forests are
characterised by their evergreen nature,
situated in montane (mountainous) regions,
and are marked by a consistent moisture
content. The frequent or seasonal cloud
envelopes these forests, resulting in
providing a unique form of protection. This
atmospheric interaction contributes to the
distinctive qualities of the Mossy Forests
Park, creating a habitat with specific
ecological features influenced by the
presence of clouds.
● In the mossy forest, a wooden walkway is
provided for visitors to walk on to. The
wooden walkway serves to protect the
environment, especially safeguarding the
mosses that were previously damaged due
to human activities, such as hiking and
tourism.
● Moreover, there is a 50 metre tall
observation tower offering a magnificent
panoramic view of the surrounding
landscape. On clear days, views are
breathtaking which allows us to catch a
glimpse of the fields, town and valleys of
Cameron Highlands. Our visit was during
the early morning, thus the presence of
mist and fog obscured the view.
● Mossy Forest Cameron Highlands is filled
with various types of plants such as small
crooked trees covered in moss, lichen,
flowers, ferns, fungi and vines.
● The moist and misty ambience of the
mossy forest provides an optimal habitat for
these types of plants.
● There is a wide range of plant species that
can be found in the mossy forest.
● These are few plant species that we were
able to identify during our visit:
1. Mosses
➢ Different varieties of moss cover the
forest floor, rocks, tree trunks and
branches.
➢ The abundance of moss species
characterised the mossy forest.
➢ A complete life cycle of moss
consists of two separate phases
called gametophyte (1n) and
 sporophyte (2n). The greenish
colour of moss is the product of its
many tiny ‘leaves’ at gametophyte
phase.
➢ Mosses can grow well in just 6
weeks, depending on its habitat and
surroundings.
➢ Moss can resemble a ‘forest
nursery’ that facilitates the
germination of fern and various
flowering plants.

2. Nepenthes, also known as tropical

pitcher plants.
➢ The pitcher plant is a carnivorous
plant. It can trap and digest small
insects to be consumed as food.

3. Ferns
➢ Ferns are used for a wide range of
purposes throughout the world.

4. Melastoma, also known as

senduduk.
➢ A type of shrub.
➢ Its leaves can be used to stop minor
bleeding and prevent wounds from
scarring.

5. Banana tree
➢ All parts of a banana tree including
its trunk, leaves, fruits, and flower
are used for a wide range of
purposes throughout the world.
 6. Palm
➢ Palm is used for a wide range of
purposes throughout the world.

7. Lianas
➢ Lianas, which are vines in the
forest, play a crucial role in various
aspects of the forest.
➢ Help control the growth of new
trees, contribute to the mortality of
existing trees, and physically
connect trees.
➢ Creates pathways between
treetops, allowing animals that live
in trees to move from one tree to
another.

8. Bamboo tree
➢ One of the bamboo trees is called
Bambusa magica, or also known as
buluh perindu.
➢ Bambusa magica is known for its
soothing, sweet sound when gently
blown by the wind, and it is often
used as a flute.

3:00p.m Heading back to UM

Appendices