Morphological Character and Trichomes of Daun Gatal (Laportea decumana (Roxb.) Wedd) in Different Natural Shades in Manokwari, West Papua

Desiana Sua'; Fajar Ria Dwi Natalia Sianipar; Paskalina Theresia Lefaan; Slamet Arif Susanto; Johanis Paulus Kilmaskossu

doi:10.33541/pro-life.v13i2.8139

Authors

Desiana Sua' Program studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.
Fajar Ria Dwi Natalia Sianipar Program studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.
Paskalina Theresia Lefaan Program studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.
Slamet Arif Susanto Program studi Biologi, Fakultas Matematika dan Ilmu Pengetahuan Alam, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.
Johanis Paulus Kilmaskossu Program studi Pendidikan Biologi, Fakultas Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan, Universitas Papua, Manokwari, Indonesia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33541/pro-life.v13i2.8139

Keywords:

Daun gatal, leaf morphology, light intensity adaptation, shaded and unshaded cultivation, trichome characteristics

Abstract

Daun gatal (Laportea decumana (Roxb.) Wedd.) is a medicinal plant traditionally used by local Papuan communities as a physical therapy to relieve fatigue, muscle pain, and body aches. However, the ecological aspects of its cultivation remain poorly understood. This study aimed to compare the leaf morphological variables of daun gatal cultivated under shaded and unshaded conditions. Field observations were conducted alongside leaf morphometric analysis and examination of leaf trichome characteristics to strengthen the analytical results. The findings indicated that air temperature, air humidity, and sunlight intensity were positively correlated (~0.80) with plant height, leaf area, trichome length, and trichome density in plants grown under shaded conditions. Meanwhile, plant height and stem diameter did not differ significantly (P>0.05) between shaded and unshaded treatments. In contrast, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf area showed significant differences (P<0.05) between the two treatments. Trichomes of plants grown in shaded habitats were significantly longer than those in unshaded habitats (P<0.05). Trichome density exhibited a similar pattern, being higher in shaded areas than in unshaded areas, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Overall, this study demonstrates that the daun gatal exhibits morphological adaptations to variations in light intensity within its habitat, providing an important scientific basis for the effective management and optimal cultivation of Laportea decumana in Manokwari Regency.

References

Ariastuti, R., Anam, K., & Pamungkas, I. Y. (2018). Efektivitas analgesik daun gatal (Laportea decumana) pada penderita myalgia di Kampung Atsj Distrik Atsj Kabupaten Asmat Provinsi Papua. Jurnal Kebidanan, 10(1), 50–60. https://doi.org/10.35872/jurkeb.v10i01.298

Demena, W. K., Raunsay, E. K., & Aisoi, L. E. (2024). Bentuk trikoma (Urticaceae) dan pemanfaatan dalam pengobatan tradisional pada masyarakat Tablasupa Distrik Depapre Kabupaten Jayapura. Biota: Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu-Ilmu Hayati, 9(3), 290–305. https://doi.org/10.24002/biota.v9i3.8099

Grunicke, S., Queck, R., & Bernhofer, C. (2020). Long-term investigation of forest canopy rainfall interception for a spruce stand. Agricultural and Forest Meteorology, 292, 108125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2020.108125

Handayani, S. E., Hasan, R., & Mutaqin, A. Z. (2025). Perbedaan struktur morfologi, anatomi, fisiologi, dan kandungan fitokimia daun aur (Commelina diffusa) pada intensitas cahaya berbeda di Embung Leuwi Padjadjaran. Pro-Life, 12(1), 94–113. https://doi.org/10.33541/pro-life.v12i1.6732

Holdsworth, D. (1987). Traditional medicinal plants of the central province of Papua New Guinea. International Journal of Crude Drug Research, 25(2), 103–112. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880208709088135

Irnawati, I., Soekamto, M. H., & Hidaya, N. (2023). Study on the utilization of daun gatal plants (Laportea sp.) by the community of Bariat Village, Konda District, South Sorong Regency. Median: Jurnal Ilmu-Ilmu Eksakta, 15(2), 78–87. https://doi.org/10.33506/md.v15i2.2565

Jiang, P., Yan, J., Liu, R., Zhang, X., & Fan, S. (2023). Patterns of deep fine root and water utilization amongst trees, shrubs and herbs in subtropical pine plantations with seasonal droughts. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, Article 1275464. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1275464

La Basy, L., Santosa, D., Murwanti, R., & Hertiani, T. (2022). Uncover itchy leaves ethnomedicine usage: A preliminary study on characterization and bioactivity of Laportea spp. Pharmacognosy Journal, 14(4). https://doi.org/10.5530/pj.2022.14.98

Luo, Q., Xie, H., Chen, Z., Ma, Y., Yang, H., Yang, B., & Ma, Y. (2023). Morphology, photosynthetic physiology and biochemistry of nine herbaceous plants under water stress. Frontiers in Plant Science, 14, Article 1147208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1147208

Marcelline, K., Nurzaman, M., & Setiawati, T. (2025). Karakteristik morfo-anatomi serta kandungan klorofil dan kandungan fitokimia tanaman ketul (Bidens pilosa) pada tempat dengan intensitas cahaya yang berbeda di Arboretum Universitas Padjadjaran. Pro-Life, 12(1), 73–93. https://doi.org/10.33541/pro-life.v12i1.6731

Martínez-Natarén, D. A., Parra-Tabla, V., Dzib, G., & Calvo-Irabién, L. M. (2011). Morphology and density of glandular trichomes in populations of Mexican oregano (Lippia graveolens HBK, Verbenaceae), and the relationship between trichome density and climate. The Journal of the Torrey Botanical Society, 138(2), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.3159/TORREY-D-10-00007.1

Masilewi, J., Nurdin, A. S., Marasabessy, M. H., Irmayanti, L., & Ashari, R. (2022). Pertumbuhan bibit jabon merah (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) pada komposisi media tanam yang berbeda. ULIN: Jurnal Hutan Tropis, 6(1), 98–104.

Mathur, S., Jain, L., & Jajoo, A. (2018). Photosynthetic efficiency in sun and shade plants. Photosynthetica, 56(1), 354–365. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11099-018-0767-y

Muhuria, L., Tyas, K. N., Khumaida, N., Trikoesoemaningtyas, & Sopandie, D. (2006). Adaptasi tanaman kedelai terhadap intensitas cahaya rendah: Karakter daun untuk efisiensi penangkapan cahaya. Indonesian Journal of Agronomy, 34(3). https://doi.org/10.24831/jai.v34i3.1292

Nyandwi, A., Eckardt, W., Bizuru, E., Mujawamariya, M., & DeVore, M. L. (2025). Stinging trichome density and morphology of three nettle species reflect mountain gorillas' feeding behavior. Ecology and Evolution, 15(7), e71765. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.71765

Ohashi-Kaneko, K., Takase, M., Kon, N., Fujiwara, K., & Kurata, K. (2007). Effect of light quality on growth and vegetable quality in leaf lettuce, spinach and komatsuna. Environmental Control in Biology, 45(3), 189–198. https://doi.org/10.2525/ecb.45.189

Paisey, E. K., Muyan, Y., Edowai, D. N., & Dailami, M. (2017). Genetic analysis of itchy leaves (Laportea sp.) in Papua for herbal medicinal products as development of studying economics value. Natural Science, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.4236/ns.2017.92004

Pérez-Estrada, L. B., Cano-Santana, Z., & Oyama, K. (2000). variation in leaf trichomes of Wigandia urens: Environmental factors and physiological consequences. Tree Physiology, 20(9), 629–632. https://doi.org/10.1093/treephys/20.9.629

Prabawati, R., Putro, W. A. S., La Goa, Y., Hardia, L., & Utami, D. P. (2021). The effectiveness test of wound healing daun gatal (Laportea decumana) against mice (Mus musculus L.). Proceedings of the International Colloquium on Environmental Education, 25–26.

Rahmawati, I., Bramasta, D., Ramadhanty, P. W., & Susanto, S. A. (2024). Tree shading effect on diversity and competitions of understorey cover in IPB Campus Dramaga. Jurnal Biologi Tropis, 24(2B), 90–99. https://doi.org/10.29303/jbt.v24i2b.8107

Sadsoeitoeboen, M. J., & Moeljono, S. (1992). Daun gatal dalam kehidupan Suku Mandacan dan Suku Aiftadi di Daerah Manokwari, Irian Jaya. Prosiding Seminar dan Lokakarya Nasional Etnobotani, 26.

Sano, T., Horie, H., Matsunaga, A., & Hirono, Y. (2018). Effect of shading intensity on morphological and color traits and on chemical components of new tea (Camellia sinensis L.) shoots under direct covering cultivation. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(15), 5666–5676. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9112

Simaremare, E. S., Uopmbin, E., & Gunawan, E. (2019). Studi etnobotani daun gatal oleh masyarakat Kiwirok Papua. PHARMACY: Jurnal Farmasi Indonesia, 16(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.30595/pharmacy.v16i1.4411

Surianto, S. (2022). Ketahanan genotipe kedelai calon varietas baru terhadap hama penggerek polong Etiella zinckenella berdasarkan karakter morfologi. Jurnal Pangan, 31(2), 145–154. https://doi.org/10.33964/jp.v31i2.617

Susanti, S. A., Simaremare, E. S., Pratiwi, R. D., Gunawan, E., & Bakrie, N. F. (2025). Nanoparticle patches of itchy leaves (Laportea decumana (Roxb.) Wedd.). Letters in Applied NanoBioScience, 14(4), 280. https://doi.org/10.33263/LIANBS144.280

Thalib, A., Masadah, R., Prihartono, P., Hamid, F., Hasan, H., Keliwawa, S., & Labulawa, I. (2021). Laportea decumana (Roxb.) Wedd.: Herbal endemic potential from Indonesia: A literature review. Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(F), 639–643.

Umesh, M. R., Angadi, S., Begna, S., Gowda, P., & Prasad, P. V. (2023). Shade tolerance response of legumes in terms of biomass accumulation, leaf photosynthesis, and chlorophyll pigment under reduced sunlight. Crop Science, 63(1), 278–292. https://doi.org/10.1002/csc2.20851

Valladares, F., Laanisto, L., Niinemets, Ü., & Zavala, M. A. (2016). Shedding light on shade: Ecological perspectives of understorey plant life. Plant Ecology & Diversity, 9(3), 237–251. https://doi.org/10.1080/17550874.2016.1210262

Wati, C., Sulistyowati, D., Krisnawati, E., Musyarofah, N., & Adirianto, B. (2024). Pengaruh naungan terhadap karakter morfo-fisiologi jagung manis. Agrica Ekstensia, 18(2), 120–128.

Wenda, T., Riska, B., & Irma, D. A. (2023). Formulasi sediaan salep ekstrak daun gatal (Laportea decumana) sebagai antibakteri terhadap Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923. Duta Pharma Journal, 3(2), 110–123. https://doi.org/10.47701/djp.v3i2.2624

Wu, Y., Chen, P., Gong, W., Gul, H., Zhu, J., Yang, F., ... Yang, W. (2022). Morphological and physiological variation of soybean seedlings in response to shade. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, Article 1015414. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.1015414