Calamus insignis var. longispinosus J.Dransf., Malaysian Forester 41: 342 (1978)

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Distribution

Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Trengganu, Negri Sembilan. N. Sumatra. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Discussion

  • This species seems to be confined to very steep hillslopes and ridgetops at altitude of 100 -1000m. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Uses

  • Excellent small diameter cane entering the market as "rotan batu". Extensively used by "Orang Asli" as binding material and for fine basket ware. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Description

  • Almost always solitary high climbing slender to moderate rattan. Stems without sheaths to 1 cm in diameter, with sheaths to 2 cm in diameter with internodes to 18 cm or more. All parts dry pale. Sheaths dull to bright green densely armed with green horizontal to slightly reflexed black-tipped spines to 2.5 cm long and scattered brown scales. Knee prominent. Ocrea inconspicuous. Flagellum to 2 m. Leaf ecirrate to 2 m long either with no petiole or with petiole to 15 cm long; petiole and rachis rather densely armed with stocky pale yellowish green black tipped reflexed spines to 4 mm long. Leaflets to 9 on each side of the rachis the terminal pair usually joined along half their length; leaflets broad, cucullate, very stiff and leathery in texture, bright green, with very prominent pale transverse veins 7-2 mm apart, the longest leaflets to 25 cm long by 7.5 cm wide, the leaflet margins rather conspicuously thickened. Inflorescences male and female superficially similar, to 2 m long with up to 8 partial inflorescences to 35 cm long, with rachillae reflexed, the female to 10 cm long, the male to 2 cm. Mature fruit oblong to 12 mm long by 7 mm wide, conspicuously tipped with a cylindrical beak to 3 mm long, covered in 22 vertical rows of pale yellowish-straw-coloured scales. Seed slightly pitted. Seedling leaf broad, bifid, shiny green with very conspicuous lateral veins. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.