Korthalsia jala

Korthalsia (kohr-tahl-SEE-ah) jala (HAH-lah)
Forestry Research Center, Sepilok, Sabah, Malaysia. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Korthalsia (kohr-tahl-SEE-ah) Species: jala (HAH-lah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
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Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Wi Danan (Ib.)

Habitat and Distribution

Borneo (World Checklist of Arecaceae )

Local in the lowlands. Elsewhere widespread in Sabah, rare in Sarawak; endemic to

Danum Valley, Sabah, Malaysia. Photo by John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

Borneo. K. jala occurs in mixed dipterocarp forest at altitudes up to 400 m.

Description

Robust clustering and branching rattan climbing high into the forest canopy with stems to 60 m long; stem without sheaths to 4 cm in diam., with sheaths to about 6 cm in diam., usually less, internodes to about 20 cm. Sheath ± unarmed basally, in upper part rather densely armed with brittle flat pale brown spines to 20 × 2 mm and abundant pinkish brown indumentum and chocolate-coloured scales; ocrea very large and conspicuous, expanded, funnel-shaped, net-like, to 30 cm long, enclosing the stem, the mouth about 15 cm in diam., pale brown, spiny in the lower part. Leaf to 2.75 m long including the cirrus to 1 m and petiole to 40 cm; leaflets broadly rhomboid to 33 × 19 cm, about 7 on each side of the rachis, with rather short stalks, bright green on the upper surface, chalky-white beneath. Inflorescence to 75 cm, highly branched; rachillae to 11 × 0.6 cm, dark brown tomentose. Ripe fruit not known. Seedling leaf not known. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.

It is a wonderful and unmistakable rattan; the strange net-like ocrea may give protection to the stem apex. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb.

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: The specific epithet jala, Latinised; from the Malay for a casting net.

Uses: Produces a large rotan merah.