Calamus ridleyanus Becc., Rec. Bot. Surv. India 2: 205 (1902)

Primary tabs

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Malaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Sumatera present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Trengganu, Johore, Singapore. Endemic. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Discussion

  • This is a little known rattan, likely to be more widespread than is at present known. It has been collected in lowland and hill forest on gentle to steep slopes. For differences between this species and Calamus densiflorus see under the latter. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Common Name

  • rotan kerai (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Etymology

  • H.N. Ridley - the most famous of Malayan Botanists (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Uses

  • Not known but probably used mixed with Calamus densiflorus as "rotan kerai". (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Description

  • Clustering high climbing moderate rattan with stems reaching 30 m tall. Stem without sheaths about 1 cm in diameter, with sheaths to 2.5 cm; internodes to about 20 cm long. Sheaths dull green, rather densely armed with slightly upward pointing hairy margined pale based brown spines of various lengths, the longest to about 2.2 cm long by 5 mm wide, with only slightly swollen bases, and sparse dirty brown indumentum. Ocrea brown, tattering. Knee prominent. Flagellum to 2 m long. Leaf subcirrate to about 1.3 m with petiole to 10 cm, armed with conspicuous black lateral spines to 4 mm. Leaflets regular, about 40 on each side the longest to about 40 cm long by 2.5 cm wide, bristly along mid-vein below, no bristles on upper surface; leaflets decreasing to minute vestiges to 1 cm long at the subcirrate leaf tip. Inflorescences to about 2 m long with 3 partial inflorescences, the female much more robust than the male with all bracts except those of the rachillae, armed with small thorns; partial inflorescences to 40 cm long; female rachillae about 8 cm long distinctly recurved. Ripe fruit unknown; immature very conspicuously beaked, covered in 28 vertical rows of dull brown scales. Seedling leaf unknown. (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.
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae