Increasing Mentawai Tribe Medicinal Plant Literacy in Students through the Plant Identification Application
Keywords:
Medicinal Plant Literacy, Google Lens, PlantNet, Mentawai Students, Environmental EducationAbstract
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the medicinal plant identification application in increasing medicinal plant literacy among Mentawai students, focusing on how this application introduces knowledge about local medicinal plants, the challenges faced by students, and their perception of technology in the preservation of traditional knowledge. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, data was collected through in-depth interviews, direct observations, focus group discussions (FGDs), and documentation studies involving 20 students using medicinal plant identification apps such as Google Lens and PlantNet. Key findings show that these apps significantly improve students' literacy about medicinal plants by expanding their knowledge beyond the commonly known plants, as well as helping them understand the therapeutic benefits of them. However, challenges such as limited internet signals, difficulty distinguishing similar plants, and limited local plant databases in the application are obstacles that need to be overcome. Nonetheless, students generally have a positive perception of these apps as an effective tool in documenting and disseminating traditional knowledge. The study concludes that medicinal plant identification applications have great potential to connect traditional knowledge with modern technology, but to maximize their effectiveness, the application needs to be updated with the addition of offline features and local plant database updates. This research contributes to the literature by incorporating technology in the preservation of local cultural knowledge, as well as enriching the understanding of the use of technology-based applications in the context of environmental and health education. The limitations of this study lie in the small sample size and the reliance on applications that require internet access, so further research is recommended to expand the sample, develop offline features, and explore the long-term impact of app use on students' behavior in using medicinal plants as well as the integration of hands-on training with technology to support more holistic learning.Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Ayu, R. I. G., Kadek, Y. S., Made, W. N., & Made, S. I. (2023). Biodiversitas Tumbuhan Obat Di Desa Kedisan Kecamatan Tegallalang Kabupaten Gianyar. Emasains, 12(2), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.59672/emasains.v12i2.3171
Base, N. H., Yusriyani, Y., & Hardianti, S. (2022). Kajian Etnofarmakologi Tumbuhan Obat Untuk Penyakit Hipertensi Di Kelurahan Bontonompo Kecamatan Bontonompo Kabupaten Gowa. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacy (Jecp), 2(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.52365/jecp.v2i1.341
Bilyk, Z. I., Shapovalov, Y. B., Shapovalov, V. B., Megalinska, A. P., Andruszkiewicz, F., & Dołhańczuk-Śródka, A. (2020). Assessment of mobile phone applications feasibility on plant recognition: Comparison with Google Lens AR-app. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 2731, 61–78. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096946040&partnerID=40&md5=f9843ada23f1e41349a08008b3488fde
Canuto, P. P. (2023). Perceptions of Primary Pre-Service Teachers in the Utilization of Plant Identification Apps as Educational Tools. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 22(5), 799–812. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/23.22.799
Dahniar, D., Ahmad, J., & Uno, W. D. (2023). Studi Kearifan Lokal Pengobatan Tradisional Dengan Tumbuhan Obat Pada Masyarakat Kecamatan Lakea Kabupaten Buol. Jambura Edu Biosfer Journal, 5(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.34312/jebj.v5i1.15780
Eisenberg, D. M., Pacheco, L. S., McClure, A. C., McWhorter, J. W., Janisch, K., & Massa, J. (2023). Perspective: Teaching Kitchens: Conceptual Origins, Applications and Potential for Impact Within Food Is Medicine Research. Nutrients, 15(13), 2859. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132859
Fals, A. M., & Brennan, A. M. (2023). Teaching Kitchens and Culinary Gardens as Integral Components of Healthcare Facilities Providing Whole Person Care: A Commentary. Nutrients, 15(19), 4162. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194162
Hart, A. G., Bosley, H., Hooper, C., Perry, J., Sellors-Moore, J., Moore, O., & Goodenough, A. E. (2023). Assessing the accuracy of free automated plant identification applications. People and Nature, 5(3), 929–937. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10460
Kaspul, K., & Utami, N. H. (2024). School Environmental Education Activities to Enhance Plant Utilization for Students at SDN Kuin Cerucuk V, Banjarmasin City. Unram Journal of Community Service, 5(1), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.29303/ujcs.v5i1.577
Liliyanti, M., Mariani, Y., & Yusro, F. (2021). Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Obat Untuk Perawatan Rambut Oleh Suku Dayak Kantuk Di Desa Seluan Kabupaten Kapuas Hulu Kalimantan Barat. Bioma Jurnal Ilmiah Biologi, 10(2), 228–247. https://doi.org/10.26877/bioma.v10i2.9019
Moutouama, J. K., & Gaoue, O. G. (2024). A phylogenetic evaluation of non-random medicinal plants selection around an African biosphere reserve. People and Nature, 6(1), 260–268. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10559
Mu’minah, I. H., Rasyid, A., & Sugandi, M. K. (2023). Efektivitas Metode Field Trip Berbantuan Aplikasi Plantnet Sebagai Media Identifikasi Tumbuhan Di Kawasan Hutan Arboretum Mandapa Kabupaten Majalengka. Bio Educatio (The Journal of Science and Biology Education), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31949/be.v8i1.4840
Oda, B. K., Lulekal, E., Warkineh, B., Asfaw, Z., & Debella, A. (2024). Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and their utilization by indigenous and local communities of Dugda District, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-024-00665-0
Odunlade, R. O., & Okiki, O. C. (2019). Exploring the Role of Information Managers in Knowledge Transfer and Preservation Among the “Elewe Omos” (Indigenous Herbal Medicine Practitioners) of the Yorubas in Nigeria. Information Impact Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 9(4), 142. https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v9i4.14
Paniagua-Zambrana, N. Y., Cámara‐Leret, R., Bussmann, R. W., & Macía, M. J. (2016). Understanding Transmission of Traditional Knowledge Across North-Western South America: A Cross-Cultural Study in Palms (Arecaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 182(2), 480–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12418
Rahmad, A. H. A., Ahmad, A., Fadjri, T. K., Junaidi, J., Iskandar, I., & Hadi, A. (2024). Sosialisasi Dan Pelatihan Aplikasi PSG Balita Dalam Menciptakan Peluang Usaha Pada Remaja Gizi Milenial. Jurnal Pade Pengabdian & Edukasi, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.30867/pade.v6i1.1825
Rianta, A. B., Af’idah, D. I., & Susanto, A. (2024). Aplikasi Panduan Untuk Mengenal Tanaman Obat Berbentuk Rimpang Berbasis Image Processing Menggunakan Metode Vgg16. Jurnal Informatika Teknologi Dan Sains, 5(4), 726–731. https://doi.org/10.51401/jinteks.v5i4.3691
Shafirany, M. Z., Susilawati, Y., & Musfiroh, I. (2019). Aplikasi Kemometrik Dalam Penentuan Mutu Tumbuhan Obat. Pharmauho Jurnal Farmasi Sains Dan Kesehatan, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.33772/pharmauho.v4i2.6257
Siregar, W. P., Irawati, S., Jumiarni, D., Ahmad Saddam Husein, Irwandi Ansori, & Syarif Hidayat. (2023). RANCANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN MODEL INKUIRI TERBIMBING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN LITERASI SAINS. Diklabio: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Biologi, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.33369/diklabio.7.1.1-8
Suliartini, N. W. S., Anwar, A. M., Ansori, A., Putri, B. R. L., Widiawati, B., Syahputra, D., Febrian, E., Amal, I. I., Diniatun, M., Mitchell, S. L., & Yanti, Y. K. (2023). Eksplorasi Dan Identifikasi Jenis Tumbuhan Obat Di Desa Wisata Kebun Kopi Senaru Sebagai Informasi Dasar Dalam Pengembangan Wisata Tanaman Obat. Jurnal Abdi Insani, 10(2), 1168–1182. https://doi.org/10.29303/abdiinsani.v10i2.970
Syukma, E. D. (2021). Ethnobotanical Aspects of Mentawai Traditional Agricultural System (Pumonean) and Its Implications for the Conservation of Local Germplasm in Siberut, Mentawai, Indonesia. 3rd KOBI Congress, International and National Conferences (KOBICINC 2020), 176–181.
Winara, A., & Mukhtar, A. S. (2016). Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Obat Oleh Suku Kanum Di Taman Nasional Wasur, Papua. Jurnal Penelitian Hutan Dan Konservasi Alam, 13(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.20886/jphka.2016.13.1.57-72
Yusuf, M., Sophan, M. K., Darmawan, A. K., Anamisa, D. R., Satoto, B. D., & Alamsyah, N. (2023). SakeraHerbDB Proposing an Integrated Indonesian Traditional Herbal Medicine Database IITHMDB for Madura Islands Herbs. Technium Romanian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology, 16, 259–265. https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v16i.9995
Base, N. H., Yusriyani, Y., & Hardianti, S. (2022). Kajian Etnofarmakologi Tumbuhan Obat Untuk Penyakit Hipertensi Di Kelurahan Bontonompo Kecamatan Bontonompo Kabupaten Gowa. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacy (Jecp), 2(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.52365/jecp.v2i1.341
Bilyk, Z. I., Shapovalov, Y. B., Shapovalov, V. B., Megalinska, A. P., Andruszkiewicz, F., & Dołhańczuk-Śródka, A. (2020). Assessment of mobile phone applications feasibility on plant recognition: Comparison with Google Lens AR-app. CEUR Workshop Proceedings, 2731, 61–78. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096946040&partnerID=40&md5=f9843ada23f1e41349a08008b3488fde
Canuto, P. P. (2023). Perceptions of Primary Pre-Service Teachers in the Utilization of Plant Identification Apps as Educational Tools. Journal of Baltic Science Education, 22(5), 799–812. https://doi.org/10.33225/jbse/23.22.799
Dahniar, D., Ahmad, J., & Uno, W. D. (2023). Studi Kearifan Lokal Pengobatan Tradisional Dengan Tumbuhan Obat Pada Masyarakat Kecamatan Lakea Kabupaten Buol. Jambura Edu Biosfer Journal, 5(1), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.34312/jebj.v5i1.15780
Eisenberg, D. M., Pacheco, L. S., McClure, A. C., McWhorter, J. W., Janisch, K., & Massa, J. (2023). Perspective: Teaching Kitchens: Conceptual Origins, Applications and Potential for Impact Within Food Is Medicine Research. Nutrients, 15(13), 2859. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132859
Fals, A. M., & Brennan, A. M. (2023). Teaching Kitchens and Culinary Gardens as Integral Components of Healthcare Facilities Providing Whole Person Care: A Commentary. Nutrients, 15(19), 4162. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194162
Hart, A. G., Bosley, H., Hooper, C., Perry, J., Sellors-Moore, J., Moore, O., & Goodenough, A. E. (2023). Assessing the accuracy of free automated plant identification applications. People and Nature, 5(3), 929–937. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10460
Kaspul, K., & Utami, N. H. (2024). School Environmental Education Activities to Enhance Plant Utilization for Students at SDN Kuin Cerucuk V, Banjarmasin City. Unram Journal of Community Service, 5(1), 40–44. https://doi.org/10.29303/ujcs.v5i1.577
Liliyanti, M., Mariani, Y., & Yusro, F. (2021). Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Obat Untuk Perawatan Rambut Oleh Suku Dayak Kantuk Di Desa Seluan Kabupaten Kapuas Hulu Kalimantan Barat. Bioma Jurnal Ilmiah Biologi, 10(2), 228–247. https://doi.org/10.26877/bioma.v10i2.9019
Moutouama, J. K., & Gaoue, O. G. (2024). A phylogenetic evaluation of non-random medicinal plants selection around an African biosphere reserve. People and Nature, 6(1), 260–268. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10559
Mu’minah, I. H., Rasyid, A., & Sugandi, M. K. (2023). Efektivitas Metode Field Trip Berbantuan Aplikasi Plantnet Sebagai Media Identifikasi Tumbuhan Di Kawasan Hutan Arboretum Mandapa Kabupaten Majalengka. Bio Educatio (The Journal of Science and Biology Education), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.31949/be.v8i1.4840
Oda, B. K., Lulekal, E., Warkineh, B., Asfaw, Z., & Debella, A. (2024). Ethnoveterinary medicinal plants and their utilization by indigenous and local communities of Dugda District, Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-024-00665-0
Odunlade, R. O., & Okiki, O. C. (2019). Exploring the Role of Information Managers in Knowledge Transfer and Preservation Among the “Elewe Omos” (Indigenous Herbal Medicine Practitioners) of the Yorubas in Nigeria. Information Impact Journal of Information and Knowledge Management, 9(4), 142. https://doi.org/10.4314/iijikm.v9i4.14
Paniagua-Zambrana, N. Y., Cámara‐Leret, R., Bussmann, R. W., & Macía, M. J. (2016). Understanding Transmission of Traditional Knowledge Across North-Western South America: A Cross-Cultural Study in Palms (Arecaceae). Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 182(2), 480–504. https://doi.org/10.1111/boj.12418
Rahmad, A. H. A., Ahmad, A., Fadjri, T. K., Junaidi, J., Iskandar, I., & Hadi, A. (2024). Sosialisasi Dan Pelatihan Aplikasi PSG Balita Dalam Menciptakan Peluang Usaha Pada Remaja Gizi Milenial. Jurnal Pade Pengabdian & Edukasi, 6(1), 26. https://doi.org/10.30867/pade.v6i1.1825
Rianta, A. B., Af’idah, D. I., & Susanto, A. (2024). Aplikasi Panduan Untuk Mengenal Tanaman Obat Berbentuk Rimpang Berbasis Image Processing Menggunakan Metode Vgg16. Jurnal Informatika Teknologi Dan Sains, 5(4), 726–731. https://doi.org/10.51401/jinteks.v5i4.3691
Shafirany, M. Z., Susilawati, Y., & Musfiroh, I. (2019). Aplikasi Kemometrik Dalam Penentuan Mutu Tumbuhan Obat. Pharmauho Jurnal Farmasi Sains Dan Kesehatan, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.33772/pharmauho.v4i2.6257
Siregar, W. P., Irawati, S., Jumiarni, D., Ahmad Saddam Husein, Irwandi Ansori, & Syarif Hidayat. (2023). RANCANGAN PERANGKAT PEMBELAJARAN MODEL INKUIRI TERBIMBING UNTUK MENINGKATKAN LITERASI SAINS. Diklabio: Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pembelajaran Biologi, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.33369/diklabio.7.1.1-8
Suliartini, N. W. S., Anwar, A. M., Ansori, A., Putri, B. R. L., Widiawati, B., Syahputra, D., Febrian, E., Amal, I. I., Diniatun, M., Mitchell, S. L., & Yanti, Y. K. (2023). Eksplorasi Dan Identifikasi Jenis Tumbuhan Obat Di Desa Wisata Kebun Kopi Senaru Sebagai Informasi Dasar Dalam Pengembangan Wisata Tanaman Obat. Jurnal Abdi Insani, 10(2), 1168–1182. https://doi.org/10.29303/abdiinsani.v10i2.970
Syukma, E. D. (2021). Ethnobotanical Aspects of Mentawai Traditional Agricultural System (Pumonean) and Its Implications for the Conservation of Local Germplasm in Siberut, Mentawai, Indonesia. 3rd KOBI Congress, International and National Conferences (KOBICINC 2020), 176–181.
Winara, A., & Mukhtar, A. S. (2016). Pemanfaatan Tumbuhan Obat Oleh Suku Kanum Di Taman Nasional Wasur, Papua. Jurnal Penelitian Hutan Dan Konservasi Alam, 13(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.20886/jphka.2016.13.1.57-72
Yusuf, M., Sophan, M. K., Darmawan, A. K., Anamisa, D. R., Satoto, B. D., & Alamsyah, N. (2023). SakeraHerbDB Proposing an Integrated Indonesian Traditional Herbal Medicine Database IITHMDB for Madura Islands Herbs. Technium Romanian Journal of Applied Sciences and Technology, 16, 259–265. https://doi.org/10.47577/technium.v16i.9995
Downloads
Published
2025-07-31
Issue
Section
Articles
How to Cite
Increasing Mentawai Tribe Medicinal Plant Literacy in Students through the Plant Identification Application. (2025). Proceeding of International Conference on Economics, Technology, Management, Accounting, Education, and Social Science (ICETEA), 1, 173-188. https://conference.unita.ac.id/index.php/icetea/article/view/365
