Ornamental plant potential of Asteraceae from the Gayo Highlands, Bener Meriah Regency

Abstract

Asteraceae have many species and beautiful flowers that became an attraction for cultivation and were used as ornamental or cut flowers. Asteraceae grow fertile in the high plains, as seen from the diversity of livable species and their phenetic flowers. The purpose of this research was inventory of the Asteraceae ornamental plants of the Gayo’s Highland. Analysis with explorative survey methods was conducted at eight districts in Bener Meriah Regency by conducting direct observations at the location of the statement’s object. The study found 19 species of Asteraceae belonging to 14 genera, including Dahlia, Tagetes, Cosmos, Zinnia, Chrysanthemum, Helianthus, Coreopsis, Tithonia, Melapodium, Tanacetum, Symphyotrichum, Callistephus, Centratherum, and Gerbera. The most commonly found genus is Dahlia, with three species with different color varieties, followed by Tateges, Cosmos, and Tithonia, with two species. This suggests that Dahlia is a favorite species and a potential plant to be chosen as an ornamental plant in the planning of the development of the Asteraceae flower garden as well as a cut flower and increasing its economic value.