Canopy plants or epiphytes are among the least studied plant communities in terms of their potential uses ad economic importance. Our study for the past years focuses on identifying species with ornamental demands and possible medicinal properties. A total of 30 species has been identified for mass propagation through tissue culture. Fifteen species are orchids, 7 species are ferns and lycophtes, 4 species are aroids, 2 species of gingers and 2 species of Rhododendrons. Living materials are collected from the jungle throughout the country except Sabah. Most of the plants are kept in UPM green house for raw materials of future phytochemistry and tissue culture research. Adaptation period and parameters are distinctly different among species and due to these samples for tissue culture are procured and cultured almost immediately upon collection. Phytochemistry study requires substantial amount of samples and many species identified with potential medicinal value were in small quantities, therefore not all species were screened for active compounds yet and screening will be done on the future unlimited tissue culture products. Ferns, lycophytes, aroids and gingers adapts faster and better than orchids to ex situ environment. Preliminary results shows that all plants responds positively to the same tissue culture media and procedure, a finding that would help to reduce costs of mass propagation of diverse species of plants. This culture media and procedure will be developed as universal tissue culture kit.
