220 



OUTLINE OF PLANT GEOGRAPHY 



similar to that of the Malay States across the Straits of Malacca, 

 but less luxuriant. There is a considerable development of lianas, 

 including species of Vitis, various climbing Araceae, e. g., Pothos, 

 Scindapsus, and a good many small rattans. 



Palms are not conspicuous, although there are a good many 

 small species, and occasionally a sugar-palm (Arenga sp.) with 

 enormous feathery leaves. 



.^"JS 



Fig. 63. — Rain-forest vegetation, Bandar Baroe, Sumatra. Wild banana (Musa 



sp.); wild ginger (Eletteria sp.). 



In the rain-forest especially along the small streams is a rich 

 vegetation of gingers, bananas, and other similar plants. A very 

 common one is an Amomum, a ginger with leafy stems two or 

 three yards high, the leafless flower stalks arising separately from 

 the rhizomes. Others, e. g., Costus and Alpinia have showy flowers 

 suggesting orchids. The latter are represented by many species, 

 some of great beauty, e. g., Caelogyne, Spathoglottis, Arundina; 

 and a small Nepenthes was also noted but the latter genus is much 

 more abundant in some other parts of Sumatra. 



