Calamus acanthophyllus Becc., Webbia 3: 229 (1910)

Primary tabs

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Laos present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Thailand present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Indochinese endemic. Thailand (North-east and East), Laos (Central and South). (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Discussion

  • Several localities mentioned in the literature require clarification. Gagnepain & Conrard (1937) report occurrence 'de Savannakhet ta Quangtri', unintentionally implying presence across central Indochina in both Laos and Vietnam, but the correct locality for Poilane 11509 refers to a specific point well inside Laos. Similarly they place 'Ubon' in Cambodia and Beccari (1913) places it in Cochinchina (Vietnam) whereas it actually lies in East Thailand. Magalon (1930) reports the species from Cochinchina on the banks of the Mekong but this record should be disregarded as we can trace no specimen to support it and it was not repeated by Gagnepain & Conrard (1937). As a result of these changes there is now no evidence that the species occurs in either Vietnam or Cambodia, although suitable habitat appears to be present in both countries. (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Open deciduous habitats below 200 m. Unusually for a rattan this species tolerates fires and thrives in frequently-burnt areas (Evans & Sengdala 2001). (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Conservation

  • Unlikely to be under threat given the large number of records within its relatively small range, the lack of harvesting and the tolerance of both deciduous habitats and fire. (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Common Name

  • wai tia, wai kok, wai foom, wai nang (Lao Loum), wai pum (Thailand), padao kui (Khmer language, Thailand). (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Uses

  • The root can be used to treat malaria (Vidal 1963), "to increase the strength of the arrow poison from Strophanthus fruit" (Kerr, A. 8233) or as a medicine after childbirth (Hurlburt 21). No other Indochinese rattan has more than one recorded pharmacological use. The leaves are occasionally used to make brooms. (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Materials Examined

  • See Evans & Sengdala (2001) and additional specimens cited in the Appendix below. (Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina)A

Bibliography

    A. Evans, T., Sengdala, K., Thammavong, B., Viengkham, O.V. & Dransfield, J. 2002: A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae