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| The beautiful blooming of the Tabebuia flower graces gardens (Photo: Special) |
The Tabebuia plant has recently been showcasing its beauty. With trumpet-shaped flowers and vibrant colors, this plant has become a unique attraction in several cities in Indonesia. This plant is not only beautiful, but also possesses numerous hidden benefits that are seldom known to the public community. Dr. Untung Santoso, M.Sc., an Agribusiness expert from the University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), conveyed that various parts of Tabebuia offer many benefits beyond being an ornamental plant.
"This plant isn't solely ornamental, but because of its beauty, many people assume so. However, many parts of this plant are beneficial, including its flowers and stems," explained the man commonly known as Untung.
He mentioned that the soft nature of the Tabebuia wood is suitable for various community needs requiring lightweight wood. It's utilized in crafting different types of furniture, furniture handles, and various wooden crafts. The Tabebuia tree's wood is relatively easy to work with, making it one of the primary choices in some countries to fulfill the community's needs for lightweight wooden furniture.
"The Tabebuia has a characteristic soft stem, making it highly suitable for the needs of communities not requiring excessively heavy or hardwood. However, caution is advised as Tabebuia tree stems are often hollow due to insect or termite infestations," he added.
Moreover, Tabebuia flowers can be used as a base for medicinal purposes. If processed correctly, the naphthoquinone content can serve as an effective medium for treating malaria.
"Tabebuia flowers can also be used as an immune booster, aiding in enhancing human immunity against diseases, among other benefits of the Tabebuia plant," Untung added.
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Concluding, Untung emphasized that this plant is easy to cultivate, especially in Indonesian regions. Therefore, Tabebuia could be an option for individuals requiring soft wood characteristics for various purposes.
"The growth rate of this tree is quite rapid and expansive. It can 'overtake' surrounding plants. If its spread continues, Tabebuia could become a distinctive endemic flower in Indonesia. Hence, wise utilization and cultivation are key to optimizing the benefits of this flower originating from Brazil," Untung concluded. (*hil/wil/fajr)
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