Calamus rotang

Calamus rotang, also known as common rattan, is a plant species native to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). It is one of the scandent (climbing) rattan palms used to make Malacca cane furniture, baskets, walking-sticks, umbrellas, tables and general wickerwork, and is found in Southwest Asia. The basal section of the plant grows vertically for 10 metres or so, after which the slender, tough stem of a few centimetres in diameter, grows horizontally for 200 metres or more. It is extremely flexible and uniform in thickness, and frequently has sheaths and petioles armed with backward-facing spines which enable it to scramble over other plants. It has pinnate, alternate leaves, 60–80 cm long, armed with two rows of spines on the upper face.[2]

Calamus rotang
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Calamus
Species:
C. rotang
Binomial name
Calamus rotang
Synonyms[1]
  • Calamus monoecus Roxb.
  • Calamus roxburghii Griff.
  • Calamus scipionum Lam.
  • Draco rotang Crantz
  • Palmijuncus monoecus (Roxb.) Kuntze
  • Rotang linnaei Baill.
  • Rotanga calamus Crantz

The plants are dioecious, and flowers are clustered in attractive inflorescences, enclosed by spiny spathes. The edible fruits are top-shaped, covered in shiny, reddish-brown imbricate scales, and exude an astringent red resin known medicinally and commercially as "dragon's blood".[3]

The canes are sought-after and expensive, but have to a large extent been replaced by sticks made from plants, such as bamboos, rushes and osier willows.[4]

  • Stem
  • Fruit
  • Rotang with fruits
  • Malacca cane chair
  • Malacca cane furniture
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References
  1. The Plant List, Calamus rotang
  2. India Biodiversity Portal, Calamus rotang L., common rattan
  3. "Missouri Botanical Garden". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  4. "Rattan Palm". Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-11-26.


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