Composition and Association of Vegetation with Medicinal Plant Pikajar (Schizaeadigitata) in Meratus Mountain, South Kalimantan, Indonesia

The Meratus Mountains save a wealth of biodiversity that functions as a medicinal plant. One of the medicinal plants is pikajar (Schizaea digitata). This plant species is effective for maintaining stamina, treating back pain and being able to overcome impotence. But this plant species in natural forests has begun to decrease its potential and regeneration still relies on natural regeneration. As a forest community, of course the existence of other species is very dependent on other species, as well as pikajar, so it is important to conduct research on the association between vegetation around the pikajar with pikajar itself, because in cultivation always pay attention to the associated plant communities with plants that become objects of preservation so that these plants can grow well. This study aims to analyse the composition and structure of vegetation and the dominant species that have an association relationship with pikajar so that later can be used as consideration for conservation in an exact manner. The results of the study found that there were about 50 species of vegetation in the community unit, 38 species of seedlings, 31 species of sapling, 15 species of poles and 10 species of trees. The association of pikajar with 5 dominant species that have a very strong relationship is mahang (Macaranga javanica) for seedling and sapling levels, while at the pole level and tree the strong association occurs with the rubber (Hevea brasiliensis).