Calamus acuminatus Becc., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 11(App.): 16 (1913)

Primary tabs

no image available

Content

Distribution

Widespread throughout the State, but particularly abundant in the Tenom and Keningau districts. Endemic to Sabah. (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Discussion

  • Very close to C. javensis but differing in the consistently ± regular narrow lanceolate leaflets and the very small spherical fruit. This is very much a feature of the secondary forests of the Tenom / Keningau valleys. It is abundant in roadside belukar, and one can often see its cane for sale in bundles at roadside stalls and in "tamu" (weekly markets). (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Etymology

  • Pointed, referring to the leaflet shape (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Common Name

  • "rotan padas", "rotan peladas" (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Uses

  • Widespread local use as twine, perhaps receiving a rudimentary cultivation near villages. (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Description

  • Slender clustering rattan with stems climbing to 10 m or more; stem without sheaths to 4 mm, with sheaths to 8 mm; internodes to 20 cm. Sheaths mid-green, with scattered brown scales, unarmed, or rarely with a few scattered spines. Knee well-developed. Ocrea conspicuous, especially on young sheaths, to 15 mm. Flagellum to 1 m. Leaf ecirrate, to 35 cm, with no petiole; leaflets up to 12 on each side of the rachis, regularly arranged, narrow lanceolate to 16 x 2 cm, the lowermost somewhat smaller and swept back across the stem, bright green, shining; terminal leaflet pair joined for under 1/2 of their length; young leaves tinged pink. Male and female inflorescences similar, very similar to those of C. javensis but with more branches. Mature fruit small, spherical, c. 6 mm diam., with a short beak to 1 x 1 mm, and covered in 18 vertical rows of pale straw-coloured scales; seed rounded c 4 mm diam.; endosperm homogeneous. (Fig. 67) (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.