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5th International Conference on Natural Resources and Technology 2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1352 (2024) 012068 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/012068

The distribution of Syzygium sp. and its potential use in green

space of Universitas Sumatera Utara

M M Harahap1,2,3*, A G Ahmad1,3, M Ulfa1,2,3, I M Ginting1 and P Y A P

Wirabuana4
1
Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Kampus USU 2 Bekala, Deli
Serdang, North Sumatra 20353, Indonesia
2
JATI – Sumatran Forestry Analysis Study Center, Kampus USU 2 Bekala, Deli
Serdang, North Sumatra 20353, Indonesia
3
KEHATI-Link, Center for the Study of Biodiversity and Environmental Services,
Kampus USU 2 Bekala, Deli Serdang, North Sumatera 20353, Indonesia
4
Department of Forest Management, Faculty of Forestry, Universitas Gadjah Mada,
Sleman 55281, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

*Email: mhr_mrghy@usu.ac.id

Abstract. Syzygium sp. is one of the tree species that can be found in the green space at USU.
This type is better known by the local name jambu-jambuan and belongs to the family
Myrtaceae. Syzygium sp. is known for its various uses, such as medicine, fruit plants, building
green spaces, etc. Research on the distribution and opportunities for the utilization of this species
has never been carried out in the green space of the USU campus. This type has many benefits
as well as the potential to be developed and studied further. Preliminary surveys show species
are easy to find and scattered in several locations. The results of this study will be useful as initial
data in managing campus green space, information on the use of this type, and a source of data
for further research. Therefore, research on the potential species at USU needs to be done and
studied further. This study used field observation techniques by visiting various locations. Field
findings are described descriptively and cumulatively. The number of Syzygium sp. in the USU
green space is estimated to be 451 individuals. It consists of 5 species, such as Syzygium
aqueum, Syzygium malaccense, Syzygium myrtifolium, Syzygium polyanthum, and Syzygium
cumini. They have many potential uses, such as food security, traditional medicine, biomass and
carbon stock, green belts, and revegetation species.

1. Introduction
Big cities in Indonesia generally have problems with environmental quality degradation. One of the
efforts to preserve and maintain the environment in urban areas is to provide public green spaces
dominated by trees [1,2]. As we all know trees and vegetation that dominate land will be able to provide
various environmental services such as the availability of clean and fresh air, soothing shade, adsorbing
waste particles scattered in the air, absorbing noise pollution, carbon sequestration, preventing erosion
and drought, regulating water and hydrology, conserving biodiversity [3] providing a microclimate as
well as soil and water conservation services, etc.
One of the green space locations that is the prima donna and is often visited by the people of the
surrounding city of Medan is the tree vegetation at the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU). USU has

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5th International Conference on Natural Resources and Technology 2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1352 (2024) 012068 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/012068

thousands of individual trees consisting of hundreds of tree species planted or grown naturally. The
existence of vegetation in the USU environment is a magnet that invites people to come and enjoy the
beautiful atmosphere with refreshing air conditions or have recreation with the family. Most visitors use
this location as a recreation place with family and exercise, especially in the morning and evening on
weekends.
One type of tree that can be found in USU's green space is Syzygium sp. This type is better known
by the local name guava with the family Myrtaceae. Syzygium sp. is known for its various uses such as
medicine, fruit plants, building green open spaces and others [4-8]. Research on the distribution and
opportunities for utilization of this species has never been carried out in the green spaces of the USU
campus. This species has many benefits as well as the potential to be developed and studied further.
Preliminary surveys show it is easy to find and scattered in several locations. The results of this study
will be useful as initial data in managing campus green space, information on the use of this type, and
as a source of data for further research.

2. Materials and methods

The research was conducted at the Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. Various tools were
used in the field such as research location maps, smartphones, binoculars, stationery, and computers.
The material used in this research is the Syzygium sp. in the green space of USU (Figure 1). This study
used a thorough field observation technique by visiting various potential locations. Field findings data
are described descriptively and tabulatively.

Figure 1. Map of research location.

3. Results and discussion

The USU campus has various types of vegetation and wildlife that have the potential to become locations
for learning about nature. At least, there are 121 species of trees can be found in this area [9]. The USU
campus green space has a fairly high diversity of trees with a Shannon Wiener diversity index of 3.41
[10]. Most of the tree diversity is filled by native species (70 species or about 57.85%) [11]. This research

2
5th International Conference on Natural Resources and Technology 2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1352 (2024) 012068 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/012068

found there are approximately 451 individuals of Syzygium sp. (Table 1). They are divided into five
species spread in the green space of USU (Figure 2).
Table 1. All of Syzygium sp. in green space of USU.
Numb Scientific name Vernacular name Frequency (idv) Proportion (%)
1 Syzygium aqueum Jambu Air 56 12.42
2 Syzygium malaccense Jambu Bol 28 6.21
3 Syzygium myrtifolium Pucuk merah 334 74.06
4 Syzygium polyanthum Salam 9 2.00
5 Syzygium cumini Jamlang/Jambu keeling 24 5.32
Total 451 100.00

Syzygium myrtifolium was the most common species found at the study site with a frequency of up
to 334 individuals (74.06%). This species can produce essential oils from its leaves. Its properties are
anti-bacterial [12]. Research conducted Salsabila et al. [4] also states that this species has the smallest
tolerance limit for air pollution. Therefore, this species is very suitable for planting in green areas as an
absorbent for air pollution released by vehicles and machines. S. myrtifolium can live on former sand
mining land [13]. Thus, it is potentially used as a revegetation or reclamation plant.

Figure 2. Distribution of Syzygium sp. in research location.

Syzygium aqueum is the second type that dominates this genus. This type is quite familiar in the
community because the fruit can be consumed directly. Research Elfrida et al. [14] states that this species
is a source of food security for the community in Tamiang, Aceh. S. aqueum has long been known as a
fruit-producing tree which is also used as a food source for many living creatures such as birds, long-
tailed monkeys, bats, and others [15]. This tree also contains anti-inflammatory compounds [16], is a
good biomass producer [17], riparian vegetation [18], and is suitable for use on ex-mining land [19].
Approximately 6.21 % (28 individuals) of S. malaccense can be found in the green space of USU.
This type has sweet fruit and is deep red in color. It is suitable to be used as an alternative to daily

3
5th International Conference on Natural Resources and Technology 2023 IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1352 (2024) 012068 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/012068

consumed fruit [15]. This species also has the potential to be used as a medicinal plant [20], is resistant
to pollution and can absorb pollutants [8,21,22]. Research conducted Anake et al. [8] S. malaccense is
also used as a type of green belt filler [21].
Rangkuti et al. [23] states that S. cumini is a native species that produces fruit. Research conducted
at the Cibodas Botanical Garden shows that S. cumini leaves also have the potential to be processed into
natural pesticides that can be utilized [7]. S. Cumini is also used in greening activities [24]. The last and
the least species is S. polyanthum which has a frequency of 9 individuals (2%). S. polyanthum is often
used as a medicinal plant [25] in the Gayo community. Its leaf decoction can lower blood pressure for
people with hypertension [26]. S. polyantum also becomes a food source for bees, long-tailed monkeys
[27,28].

4. Conclusion
The number of Syzygium sp. in the green space of USU is 451 individuals approximately. It consists of
5 species such as Syzygium aqueum, Syzygium malaccense, Syzygium myrtifolium, Syzygium
polyanthum, and Syzygium cumini. They have many potential uses, such as food security, traditional
medicine, biomass and carbon stock, green belt, and revegetation species.

Acknowledgement
Our research was funded by The Universitas Sumatera Utara TALENTA Fund 2022 (Contract Number:
176/UN5.2.3.1/PPM/KP-TALENTA/2022). We would like to thank the anonymous reviewers and
colleagues who have provided constructive and valuable advices. We also thank ICONART 5
committee.

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IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1352 (2024) 012068 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1352/1/012068

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