''Anaphalis javanica'', the Javanese edelweiss, is a species of flowering plant native to

Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...

. It is found mostly in mountainous regions of

Java Java is one of the Greater Sunda Islands in Indonesia. It is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the south and the Java Sea (a part of Pacific Ocean) to the north. With a population of 156.9 million people (including Madura) in mid 2024, proje ...

, southern

Sumatra Sumatra () is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the list of islands by area, sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi. ...

, southern

Sulawesi Sulawesi ( ), also known as Celebes ( ), is an island in Indonesia. One of the four Greater Sunda Islands, and the List of islands by area, world's 11th-largest island, it is situated east of Borneo, west of the Maluku Islands, and south of Min ...

and

Lombok Lombok, is an island in West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia. It forms part of the chain of the Lesser Sunda Islands, with the Lombok Strait separating it from Bali to the west and the Alas Strait between it and Sumbawa to the east. It is rou ...

. Although a mature plant can reach eight metres in height, most specimens are less than a metre tall. It is a

pioneer Pioneer commonly refers to a person who is among the first at something that is new to a community. A pioneer as a settler is among the first settling at a place that is new to the settler community. A historic example are American pioneers, perso ...

in recent volcanic land. The flowers are generally seen between April and August. A bird species, the Javan whistling thrush ('' Myophonus glaucinus''), nests in the plant's branches.

Threats

Known as ''bunga abadi'' in Indonesian (lit. 'eternal flower'), ''senduro'' ( ''sêndhurå'') in Javanese or ''tanalayu'' (, 'never wilts') among the Tenggerese, this plant is popular among tourists. Dried flowers are often sold as souvenirs. This could lead to the destruction of the wild-grown species. In the Bromo-Tengger region in

East Java East Java (, , ) is a Provinces of Indonesia, province of Indonesia located in the easternmost third of Java island. It has a land border only with the province of Central Java to the west; the Java Sea and the Indian Ocean border its northern ...

, this plant is considered extinct. This species is constantly decreasing in number and is currently protected in

Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park Mount Gede Pangrango National Park is a national park in West Java, Indonesia. The park is centred on two volcanoes—Mount Gede and Mount Pangrango—and is 150 km² in area. It evolved from already existing conservation areas, such as C ...

. The plant has been protected under Indonesian law since 1990.

Gallery

Javanese Edelweiss Field.JPG, Javanese edelweiss field on Mount Papandayan Javanese Edelweiss.JPG, Javanese edelweiss Javanese Edelweiss Close Up.JPG, A close-up of a Javanese edelweiss flower

References

javanica Flora of Java Flora of the Lesser Sunda Islands Flora of Sulawesi Flora of Sumatra Plants described in 1826 {{Gnaphalieae-stub