Korthalsia flagellaris
Korthalsia (kohr-tahl-SEE-ah) flagellaris (flah-jehl-LAHR-iss) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Singapore. Photo by Wee Foong Ang. | |||||||
Scientific Classification | |||||||
| |||||||
Synonyms | |||||||
| |||||||
Native Continent | |||||||
| |||||||
Morphology | |||||||
| |||||||
Culture | |||||||
| |||||||
Survivability index | |||||||
| |||||||
Common names | |||||||
|
Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Borneo, Malaya, Sumatera, and Thailand. Throughout the peat-swamps of Brunei at low elevations. Elsewhere throughout Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. K. flagellaris is confined to peat swamp forest, where it is often the most conspicuous rattan.Description
Robust clustering and branching rattan with stems climbing to 40 m or more, confined to peat swamp forest. Stems without sheaths to 2.5 cm in diam. or more, with sheaths to 4 cm or more, internodes to 30 cm, longer in juveniles. Sheath ± unarmed, dull reddish-brown, covered in caducous black scales and pale brown hairs; ocrea tightly sheathing, unarmed, covered in scales and indumentum as the sheaths, tending to split opposite the petiole. Mature leaf to 2.5 m including the cirrus to 1 m and petiole to 15 cm. Leaflets 8-20 on each side of the rachis, borne on long stalks, narrow, to 30 × 4.5 cm, dark bluish-green on the upper surface, brownish on the undersurface, with frequent bands of deciduous chocolate-coloured scales. Inflorescences to 75 cm, highly branched; rachillae numerous, to 12 × 0.7 cm, dull brown tomentose. Fruit to 20 × 12 mm, covered in 19-21 vertical rows of straw-coloured scales. Seed 12 × 9 mm; endosperm deeply ruminate. Seedling leaf entire; juvenile leaves often very large and entire with blades reaching 100 × 30 cm. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
It is unmistakable with its robust habit, narrow leaflets that quiver in the wind and tightly sheathing, ± unarmed ocreas. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb.
Stems climbing to 40 m or more, without sheaths to 2.5 cm diam. or more, with sheaths to 4 cm or more, internodes to 30 cm, longer in juveniles. Leaf cirrate; sheath ± unarmed, dull reddish-brown, covered in caducous black scales and pale brown hairs; ocrea tightly sheathing, unarmed, covered in scales and indumentum as the sheaths, tending to split opposite the petiole. Mature leaf to 2.5 m including the cirrus to 1 m and petiole to 15 cm. Leaflets 8–20 on each side of the rachis, borne on long stalks, narrow, to 30 x 4.5 cm, dark bluish-green on the upper surface, brownish on the under-surface, with frequent bands of deciduous chocolate-coloured scales. Inflorescences to 75 cm, highly branched; rachillae numerous, to 12 x 0.7 cm, dull brown tomentose. Fruit to 20 x 12 mm, covered in 19–21 vertical rows of straw-coloured scales. Seed 1.2 by 0.9 cm; endosperm deeply ruminate. Seedling leaf entire; juvenile leaves often very large and entire with blades reaching 1 by 0.3 m. (Palms of Thailand)
Culture
Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b
Comments and Curiosities
Etymology: Specific epihthet from the Latin, literally; Bearing a whip.
Uses: Produces a medium-sized rotan merah. Produces a coarse cane.
Conservation: Although a very widespread species, this rattan is threatened in Thailand by destruction of the very restricted habitat.
External Links
References
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.
Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).
J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.