Calamus rotang
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
INDIA (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala), SRI LANKA. Common in coastal fresh water swamp forests,
Description
Clustering palm exhibiting a slender stem ranging from a few millimeters to some centimeters in diameter, flexible, sometimes more or less armed with spines. Its leaves are pinnate, alternately arranged at regular intervals along the stem, 60-80 cm long, consisting of linear-lanceolate segments, 15-30 cm long, armed with two ranks of spines on upper face. Its sheath and thin petiole are armed with whitish spines, whose function is that of support and climbing organs. Flowers, unisexual on dioecious plants, are clustered in showy unbranched inflorescences, enveloped by spiny spathes.
A slender thicket forming climber; stem with leafsheath 8-16 mm in diameter; internodes to 40 cm or more long. Leaves ecirrate, to 80 cm long; leafsheath with distinct knee, armed with more or less scattered, broad-based 1 cm long yellowish spines; each pointing down-wards; flagellum slender, about 2 m long; petiole absent; leaflets numerous, equidistant or sub-equidisitant, linear to lanceolate, 1-nerved, 10 -15 cm long, 1.5 cm broad at middle; midnerve with 2 hooks on upper side and uniformly spinulose below; uppermost leaflets smallest. Male inflorescence flagelliform; axial part strongly aculeate; rachillae scorpioid, 12 - 35 cm long, with 5-12 approximate male flowers on each side of the rachilla; in male flowers corolla deeply divided into 3 segments. Female inflorescence flagelliform; partial inflorescences 15 - 20 cm long with 5-8 rachillae on each side; each arch-like with divaricate neuter flower. Fruit globose, apiculate, 1.3 -1.5 cm long, 1.2 cm broad at middle; fruit scales in 21 longitudinal series, faintly channelled at middle; seed flattened, 8 mm in diameter. (Dransfield J., Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision. 1992)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
Culture
Cultivated in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah. It is also cultivated in trial plots of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a
Comments and Curiosities
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Etymology: Its generic name derives from Greek calamos = reed, with reference to its slender stem much like bamboo canes. Its specific name refers to the native name for the material obtained from the stem (rattan). Uses: Calamus rotang cane is used for making rough baskets, for plucking tea leaves, and for carrying building materials. Split canes are largely used for making bags, 'jhapi', a kind of small bucket used in villages for measuring grain, and for making chair bottoms. The young leaves are also eaten as a vegetable by tribal people. Its slender and cylindrical stem, properly worked, is the source of the well known rattan, a valuable and expensive material, much appreciated for the making of furniture, walking-sticks, umbrellas and wickerwork. The root is given in chronic fevers. The leaves are given in diseases of blood and in biliousness. The wood is a vermifuge. |
- IMAGE GALLERY
Prachin Buri, Thailand. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Prachin Buri, Thailand. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Prachin Buri, Thailand. Photo by Dr. John Dransfield, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
India.
India.
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).
Dransfield J., Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision. 1992
J. Dransfield, A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina. 2002
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.
