History of & Guide to
Eka Karya Botanic Garden Bali

Eka Karya Botanic Garden is a unique place to visit in Bali, where visitors can stroll through cool and tranquil gardens, visit temples and traditional Balinese buildings, and learn about Balinese botany and traditions. The Garden combines scientific and conservation goals in a cool, mountainous setting; with adjacent forests and lake, wildlife such as birds and monkeys, and the attractive landscaping all joined in harmony. With a rich collection of 1187 species, Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, is not only a forerunner in conserving Indonesia's flora, but one of the most beautiful gardens of its kind in the world.

Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, was established on July 24, 1959, with an area of 154.5 hectares, at an elevation from 1200-1450 metres above sea level; average temperature 18°C and average rainfall 3000 mm. Located in the north-central highlands next to the Batukau Nature Reserve, the garden lies in the tourist district of Bedugul, close to Lake Beratan and the Ulun Danur Temple. Bedugul lies between the cities of Denpasar and Singaraja, and can be reached from both cities within one hour's drive.

The primary task of the Botanic Garden is to conduct research, inventory and protect Indonesian plant species native to moist upland areas, particularly from eastern Indonesia, as well as to provide useful scientific services and to increase public appreciation for conservation. In order to fulfill this task, Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, conducts field exploration and surveys, and has been equipped with an herbarium, seed collection, and nursery, as well as the living collections of trees, ferns, orchids, cacti and other plants of scientific, economic, cultural and aesthetic value.

Main Entrance
Visitors arriving at the Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, can become acquainted with the special Balinese architecture, which is both sturdy and beautiful. The distinctive carved split entrance-way candi bentar at the main entrance is typical of those usually found in temples or important buildings in Bali.

Tree Collection
The Garden has an extensive Gymnosperm (non-flowering plants) collection. Plants in this collection come from many regions including The Netherlands, Australia, Japan, China, Africa, South and North America. In particular, the native Cemara Pandak (Podocarpus javanicus) can be seen. The collection of woody plant species in the garden totals 656 species from 141 Families, some of which are indigenous to the gardens.

Traditional Ceremonial Plants Collection
The social fabric of Balinese life cannot be separated from traditional ceremony and religious activity. The raw materials of many well-known plants play an important part in sacred ceremonies. Because of their importance, in 1991 Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, began making inventories, collections and plantings of species used for traditional ceremonies. To date, the collection consists of 454 specimens from 117 species.

In Balinese culture, ceremonies are held in worship of (amongst others) God, in honour of ancestors and priests, for the maintenance of happiness, and for appeasing the spirits. The Pitra Yadnya (Ancestors Ceremony) is one example of a ceremony in which plants and plant products are essential. The Pitra Yadnya is held for returning the body and soul to their place of origin. This can be done by either burial or burning. Some of the species used in this ceremony are listed below of which many can be seem in the Traditional Ceremonial Plants Collection and other parts of the Garden. Sandalwood (Santalum album) (Santalaceae) are used to clean and soften the body; Fern roots (Diplazium esculentum) (Polypodiaceae) or Casuarina (Casuarina junghuhniana) represent hair; Neem leaves (Azadirachta indica) (Meliaceae) represent eyebrows; Jasmine flowers (Jasminum sambac) (Oleaceae) represent noses; Betel flowers (Piper betle) (Piperaceae) are rolled to represent fingers; Alang-alang (Imperata cylindrica) (Poaceae) is used to make a model of the body; Cotton threads (Gossypium hirsutum) (Malvaceae) are used for tying the thumbs and toes; Fig leaves (Ficus benjamina) (Moraceae) are used to represent the body at the next level; Bamboo stems (Schizostachyum brachycladum) are used to make a flute (sunari) which is used to invite God to witness the cremation ceremony; Sandalwood (Santalum album) (Santalaceae) and Majegau (Dysoxylum caulostachyum) (Meliaceae) are used for burning the corpse in order to produce a special fragrance which will ensure the soul can return in the future.

Ethnobotany Building
Within the gardens is a traditional Balinese house, called the Ethnobotany Building as it contains the Garden's collection of ethnobotanical artifacts. The Ethnobotany Building was constructed following the best traditions of Balinese home architecture, in particular regarding the placement of the buildings in relation to one-another.

Traditional Balinese houses are a collection of smaller houses each with a particular function which are enclosed within or just outside of a perimeter wall. Components of the traditional Balinese house are:

Temples
Within Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, are found three temples.

1. Pura Batu Meringgit (Temple of the Stone Altar)
   This ancient temple of unknown age is archaeologically unique, composed of piles of unhewn stones and small statues. The remnants of the temple consist of a stone foundation and several small carved stone figures. Chinese and Balinese Hindus still worship at this temple.
2. Pura Teratai Bang (Red Lotus Temple)
   This temple complex is named after the teratai lotus lilies of the Nelumbo genus, and is built on three levels. The first level (jaban) is outside the temple wall and includes a simple building used for ceremonial preparations, worshipping and eating. The second-level (jabu tenggah) contains two baligong buildings which house the musicians and gamelan during ceremonies. The final level (jeruan) is the most sacred area, where worshippers pray in front of the multi-layered Meru (a shrine which symbolises Mt Mahameru - a mountain holy to the Hindu religion) which is thatched with material from the Arenga pinnata palm. Sulfur deposits near the temple are used to cure skin diseases by nearby residents and worshippers.
3. Pura Giri Putri (Temple of the Mountain Princess)
   Encircling this small pura are walls (tembok) depicting the ubiquitous Ramayana story. Within the perimeter walls is a stone monument or padmasana (Shrine of the Sun God) which is based on a creation legend. At the base of the carved monument is a giant turtle, symbolising the Earth below. On the turtle's back are two serpents - the symbol for Ocean - and a platform with elephants at four corners representing the Continents. The highest point of the monument is reserved for God, Ida Sang Hyang Widhi.

Succulent Collection
The succulent (or cactus) collection is housed in the greenhouses. The total succulent collection is comprised of 538 plants from 104 species from many countries. The collection includes Archinocactus grasonii, Mesembryanthemum spp., Mammilaria prolifera and Epiphyllum angularium. Cactus often have interesting shapes and colourful, complex flowers.

Orchid Collection
The Orchid collection is housed in open-air gardens and special glasshouses above the main office. The collection contains approximately 3370 specimens representing 320 species obtained from scientific exploration of Indonesia's forests. Some species in the collection which are native to Bali include: Cymbidium chloranthum from the Kintamani region; Vanda amatis from the Denpasar area; Dendrobium macrophyllum from Sanda (Mt. Batukau); and Coelogyne speciosa from Bukit Tapak. Several species native to Java include: Vanda tricolor, Phaius tankervilliae and Bulbophyllum lobii.

Traditional Medicinal Plants Collection
In the profound system of traditional Balinese life there are various important species of plants that have therapeutic properties. By researching and studying the old magical lontar books, we are relearning the various traditional medicinal uses of many species. Eka Karya Botanic Garden, Bali, is conducting exploration throughout Bali in order to gather and conserve species with traditional medicinal uses in a permanent collection.

In this collection of 442 specimens from 109 species, can be seen mint (Mentha arvensis) used to cure stomach complaints, urip wood (Calanchloe pinnata) and jeleme wood (Knema cinerea) for fever, betel nut (Piper betel) chewed to relieve pains, and the fern Dicksonia blumei used to improve blood circulation. Traditional food plants which are also used medicinally include: ginger (Zingiber officianalis) for fever and headache, glutinous rice (Oriza sativa L. var. glutinosa) for fever, and starfruit (Averrhoea bilimbi) for treating coughs.

Fern Collection
Ferns flourish in the cool, wet upland areas of the Garden, from the large and obvious tree-ferns and epiphytic birds-nest ferns to the numerous smaller, inconspicuous species. In the forests many tree ferns (Cyathea spp.) can be seen growing wild. The newly established Fern Collection is located near the Main Office building. This collection contains numerous species growing together. Tree fern trunks (Cyathea spp.) are often cut into blocks and used as a growth medium for orchids. Another species native to the forests of Bedugul, Diplazium esculentum (pakis), is used in traditional ceremonies and also eaten as a vegetable.

The primitive fern species Angiopteris evecta can be distinguished by its very large fronds and the absence of the long trunk typical of tree-ferns. Plants of this species can be seen in various parts of the garden, in particular near the glasshouses containing the orchid and succulent plant collections.

Rose Garden and Surroundings
Many varieties of beautifully coloured roses, may be seen and enjoyed from one of the cupolas. Green-flowered roses are but one of the interesting and beautiful plants in this collection. From hereA stone path continues to the garden nursery. Bordering the nursery, the stone path is flanked by plantings of the rare palm Pinanga sp. nov., a species only found in Bali and represented in the gardens by a large conservation collection. Also planted near here are trees of Dysoxylum densiflorum, the floral emblem of Bali.