Calamus hispidulus Becc., Rec. Bot. Surv. India 2: 209 (1902)

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Borneo present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Locally common in Brunei, tending to occur in forest on poor soils. Elsewhere in Sarawak. Endemic. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Discussion

  • C. hispidulus may be distinguished from other related Bornean species such as C. sarawakensis and C. pilosellus by the rough leaf sheaths. Its closest relative is probably C. exilis of Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. We have included here a rattan previously identified as Calamus sp. aff. C. ciliaris Bl. (Dransfield 1984, 1992). With more material, it seems to fit within the range of variation of C. hispidulus. So far, this very hairy form has not yet been found in Brunei. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Etymology

  • Covered in very small rigid hairs (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Uses

  • The cane appears to be of good quality for binding purposes. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Description

  • Solitary (?always) slender rattan climbing to 10 m tall; stem without sheaths 7-8 mm diam, with sheaths to 14 mm diam., internodes c. 10 cm long. Sheaths dull green, very densely covered in minute, rigid brown hairs with swollen bases, the hairs eventually deciduous leaving a rough surface, or with slender greenish almost hair-like spinules, a few short triangular spines to 2 mm long sometimes present scattered among the hairs; knee conspicuous; ocrea inconspicuous. Flagellum to 1.25 m. Leaf ecirrate, to 55 cm long including petiole to c. 15 cm, rough near the base; leaflets 15-20 on each side of the rachis, regularly arranged, ± linear, the longest to 25 × 2 cm, both surfaces bearing minute spinules or, more rarely, pale green hair-like spinules; transverse veinlets conspicuous. Inflorescence 60-125 cm long, curved, with 3-6 much curved partial inflorescences; male rachillae strongly curved, to 25 mm long, bearing distant large flowers; female rachillae much curved, to 45 mm, bearing distant large conspicuously stalked flowers. Mature fruit ellipsoid, 20 × 8 × 10 mm, covered in yellowish-brown scales. Other details not known. (Fig. 42). (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Materials Examined

  • BEL: Melilas, Bt.Batu Patam, Dransfield J. 6599. TEM: Amo, Wong 1737; Amo, Bt.Belalong, Dransfield J. 7124. TUT: Lamunin, Ladan Hills F.R., Wong 507; Rambai, Bt.Bahak, Coode 7028; Rambai, Bt.Bahak, Coode 7059; Rambai, Tasik Merimbun, Wong 341. Without prov.: BRUN 15744. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae