Ethnobotany in the city: Medicinal tree species in university green space

Abstract

The university’s green open space (UGS) serves as the city’s lungs, climate stabilization, improving bioclimate conditions, and reducing dust. In addition to these functions, UGS also acts as a provider of medical materials. The purpose of this study was to identify tree species containing medicinal properties on the Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) campus in Padang Bulan. The field inventory was employed in this research by collecting data on all tree species in 120 hectares of the campus area. Furthermore, the utilization of each tree species identified was assessed using the book Indonesian Useful Plants. The research showed that, 65.29% tree species classified into 27 families on the USU campus could be a source of natural medicinal properties. Polyalthia longifolia had the largest number of individuals, while Premna corymbosa had the fewest. The leaf is the most commonly used organ based on the part used (55.69 %). Trees on the USU campus provide such a number of advantages, including treating cancer, antioxidants, anti malarial, and other therapies. Our research pointed out that, the presence of green space at the University is important to the conservation of biological diversity and potential tree species.