Calamus rotang L., Sp. Pl. : 325 (1753)

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Distribution

INDIA (Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala), SRI LANKA. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Common in coastal fresh water swamp forests, frequent along fresh water streams of lower hill valleys. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Common Name

  • Perambu, Betambu. Bettapu. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Uses

  • 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. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Description

  • 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. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Cultivation

  • Cultivated in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah. It is also cultivated in trial plots of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Bibliography

    A. Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision