Botanical Research Centre

BRC was established in 1976. It covers 22 hectres of specialized gardens and 14 hectres of natural arboretum. BRC has comprehensive collections of Sarawak’s selected and important plants species. Living plants samples collected from all over Sarawak during field expeditions are being transplant here. BRC is a living museum for researcher, scientists and general public who wish to conduct research, nature educational programmes or just admire the beauty of flora in Sarawak.

BRC also houses a modern office that places plant tissue culture laboratory, glasshouses, nurseries and 7 specified gardens. Infrastructure such as jungle trails, resting sheds, viewing platform, bridges and other basic facilities have been develop in the gardens.

Specialize Gardens in BRC

Palm garden covers an area of 10 hectres was established in 1976. It has almost complete collections (90%) of palm species in Sarawak besides rattan. Many species are endemic, rare, protected or with commercial potential.

Ethnobotanical garden covers about 4 hectres was established in 1991. It is divided into 5 sections according to the 5 local ethnic group i.e. Chinese, Iban, Bidayuh, Malay and Melanau and Orang Ulu. The 162 plants display are commonly used by the local communities for food, medicines, handicrafts, ceremonial and religious rituals and other traditional purposes. Among the interesting plants found here are:

  • Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) and Hujan panas (Goniothalamus veluntinus) for medicinal purposes
  • Daun tubu (Pycnarrhena tametacta) for food flavoring
  • Tepus buluh (Costus speciosus) for ceremonial rituals

Wild orchid garden was set up in 1991. The orchids are displayed in glasshouse and in natural settings. Presently, 207 orchid species have been planted on the 2-hectres site, many of which are rare, endemic or protected e.g. slipper orchids (Paphiopedilium spp.), moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.), spider orchids (Arachis spp.), jewel orchids (Haemaria and Dossinia spp.) and others. 1072 species orchids have been discovered in Sarawak. Many species have been collected for herbarium specimens and ex-situ conservation in BRC.

The diversity of forms found in the orchid family is amazing. The smallest orchids of the Bulbophyllum species are no more than few mm tall while others like Vanilla species climb to 30m. Different species show variations in vegetations in vegetatitive growth. The flowers vary in size, shape, colours and smell. Orchids are threatened their because of great horticultural value. These include species in genera of Arachnis, Phalaenopsis, Renanthera, Rhyncostylis and Vanda.The most outstanding genus is Paphiopedilium (slipper orchid) with P. sanderanium having appendages up to 50 cm long.

Sarawak has almost similar number of species of orchids as in Thailand. There is a tremendous potential to develop the orchid industry which is still in its infancy state. Only wild orchids are protected. Hybrids however, are excluded.

Wild Fruit Garden of 2 hectares was established in 1998. 64 species have been planted which are among the many edible fruits that are found in the forests. Most of them have the potential to be introduced as commercial fruit crops the Garden provides resources for further research especially on propagation and improvement of these wild fruit trees. The orangutans are easily spotted hanging out in this area for fruits.

Fernarium was set up in 1992 on a 2-hectare plot and displays 128 species of ferns collected from the interior of Sarawak. It consists of a good collection of terrestrial and epiphytic forms, many of which are suitable for ornamental purposes.

Bamboo garden was established in 1994. It has an area of 1 hectare and with more than 20 species planted. The bamboo has traditionally been used by the local communities for food (young shoots), mat and basket weaving, construction of huts and many other daily uses.

Aroid garden refers to the plants from the family of Araceae or the yam family. It was developed in 2003 on a2-hectare plot with many beautiful and endangered species display both in the garden and nursery.

Arboretum

The arboretum is one of the very few remaining undisturbed pristine forests at the vicinity of Kuching. The arboretum covers 14.2 hectres within Semenggoh Nature Reserve. Arboretum refers to a living collection of trees. It is natural, veryrich floristically, consisting of 60 plants families from 360 genera and over 2000 species. The dominant species are from the Dipterocarpaceae family, the most important timber trees of Sarawak. The arboretum provides a venue for research studies and also serves as nature educational centre. Its terrain is gently undulating and the altitude ranges from 100 – 200 metres above sea level.

Trees in the arboretum were labeled and enumerated regularly to monitor the growth, mortality and other useful aspects Jungle Trails and resting sheds have been developed for access into the arboretum.