Calamus javensis

Calamus (KAL-ah-muhs) javensis (jah-VEHN-siss)
Kimbalu Park HQ, Sabah, Malaysia. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Calamus (KAL-ah-muhs) Species: javensis (jah-VEHN-siss)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Uwai Peladas (Dus., Br.), Uwai Podos (Dus.), Wi Anak (Ib.), Wi Peladas (Ib.), Thai name หวายเล็ก (waai lek) rotan opot (Indonesia).

Habitat and Distribution

Widespread throughout the State. Elsewhere throughout Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia,

Lianas in Gn. Halimun National Park, around Cikaniki Research Station. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

S. Thailand, and Palawan.

Description

Extremely variable, slender to very slender, clustering rattan forming low thickets, or climbing to 10 m or more; stem without sheaths 2-6 mm in diam., with to 10 mm in diam., internodes to 30 cm long, usually less. Sheaths bright green when fresh, frequently reddish tinged, somewhat striate, unarmed or sparsely to densely armed with horizontal spines to 5 mm; knee present; ocrea moderately conspicuous, to 10 mm, deep crimson when young, tattering with age. Flagellum to 1 m. Leaf ecirrate, very variable in form, in adult leaves always with the terminal pair of leaflets joined together for much of their length; petiole usually absent, rarely to 5 cm in some montane forms; leaflets 4-10 on each side of the rachis, grouped or more rarely subregular, lanceolate to spathulate, the lowermost 1-2 pairs often swept back across the stem, longest leaflets to 20 × 5 cm but usually much less, transverse veinlets conspicuous; young leaves tinged pink. Male and female inflorescences superficially similar with 2-5 partial inflorescences bearing crimson rachillae ± at right angles. Ripe fruit ovoid, about 12 × 8 mm, with a short beak and covered in 15-21 vertical rows of pale greenish white scales. Seed somewhat angular; endosperm homogeneous. Seedling leaf with 4 broad shiny leaflets. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.

C. javensis occurs in all major forest types except for mangrove, at altitudes from sea level to the tops of mountains. It is extremely polymorphic. The two most distinctive taxa in Brunei related to C. javensis have already been separated at the specific level, viz: C. tenompokensis and C. amplijugus. The other taxa in this complex appear to intergrade. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb.

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: From the Latin, literally; of Java.

Uses: Produces an excellent cane for binding, to make fish traps and carrying baskets. These liana like palms are used in making baskets, furniture etc.

This small, sparsely spiny climbing palm from the Malay Peninsula in Thailand to western Indonesia has dainty foliage with elliptic leaflets. The thin canes are of great quality for manufacturing. (RPS.com)

These climbing palms are called rattans. The spines are on the leaf, leaf base, and peduncles. After removing the leaf you will see a smooth green stem. The peduncle is a thin thread-like spiny structure that ruptures at several places, to expose the flowers and later the fruits. The stems are of constant thickness without massive nodes. This is in contrast with stems of Bamboos. Bamboos are grasses and have prominent nodes and hollow stems. So it is very easy to see the difference between rattan and bamboo constructions.