We recently continued to establish plots for Jimmy Wanma’s PhD project studying botanical megadiversity and conservation in the Domberai Peninsula. 

The hilux journey to lower montane forests found sites with little in flower bar Melastomes and Orchids – it had been very dry recently.

This region at the southern point of the Arfak-Tambrauw massif had more Australian elements in the tree flora than I have ever clocked previously.

General collecting yielded Begonia and Cyrtandra from streams and waterfalls and plenty of Ericaceae from ridge top forests. There was a lovely flowering Elaeocarpus tree, a large species of Nepenthes within the maxima complex and tonnes of Orchids – Jimmy’s speciality.

I thank the team Prof Charlie Heatubun, Haerul Arifin, Jimmy Wanma, Engel, Andris, Onys, Edhu, Hosea and Verina.

Badan Riset Inovasi Nasional continue to support us with research permits.