Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) called for greater exploration of native plant species to boost the country’s floriculture industry, Deputy for Research and Innovation Utilization R. Hendrian said Thursday.

Speaking at the Floriculture Indonesia International (FLOII) Expo 2025 in ICE BSD City, Tangerang, Hendrian said Indonesia’s rich plant diversity remains underused in the ornamental plant and flower business.

“There are still challenges, including the limited use of Indonesia’s native plant diversity as part of the ornamental plant industry,” he told reporters.

Hendrian noted that Indonesia is home to about 21 percent of the world’s fern species, along with many varieties of aroids and begonias - all of which hold strong potential as ornamental commodities.

“God has given us an incredible diversity of plants. If we explore it well, we can bring Indonesia’s native species to the international stage as part of our pride in the floriculture industry,” he said.

He added that Indonesia already has strong research capacity to support the cultivation of wild species with potential commercial value.

“Talking about flora, botany, and ornamental plants is not just about aesthetics or hobbies. It’s also about the economy - building a green economy in particular,” he said.

Hendrian praised the organization of FLOII Expo 2025, an international ornamental plant exhibition running through Oct. 26, which aims to strengthen Indonesia’s floriculture business.

“I hope this expo becomes part of our collective effort to grow the national floriculture industry and expand its presence in international markets,” he said.

The FLOII Expo showcases various local and international plant growers, highlighting innovations in ornamental plant cultivation and trade opportunities for Indonesian species.

As previously reported, researchers from BRIN continue to study the country’s rich biodiversity. Most recently, they identified two new orchid species from Raja Ampat, West Papua, underscoring the region’s extraordinary yet fragile ecosystem.

The discovery stemmed from a 2022 plant survey on Batanta Island conducted by BRIN in cooperation with the West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA).

The two newly classified species, Dendrobium siculiforme and Bulbophyllum ewamiyiuu, were described in the international scientific journal Telopea in August 2025