Calamus rotang

Calamus rotang, also known as common rattan, is a plant species native to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). It is one of the scandent (climbing) rattan palms used to make Malacca cane furniture, baskets, walking-sticks, umbrellas, tables and general wickerwork, and is found in Southwest Asia. The basal section of the plant grows vertically for 10 metres or so, after which the slender, tough stem of a few centimetres in diameter, grows horizontally for 200 metres or more. It is extremely flexible and uniform in thickness, and frequently has sheaths and petioles armed with backward-facing spines which enable it to scramble over other plants. It has pinnate, alternate leaves, 60–80 cm long, armed with two rows of spines on the upper face.[2]

Calamus rotang
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Calamus
Species:
C. rotang
Binomial name
Calamus rotang
Synonyms[1]
  • Calamus monoecus Roxb.
  • Calamus roxburghii Griff.
  • Calamus scipionum Lam.
  • Draco rotang Crantz
  • Palmijuncus monoecus (Roxb.) Kuntze
  • Rotang linnaei Baill.
  • Rotanga calamus Crantz

The plants are dioecious, and flowers are clustered in attractive inflorescences, enclosed by spiny spathes. The edible fruits are top-shaped, covered in shiny, reddish-brown imbricate scales, and exude an astringent red resin known medicinally and commercially as "dragon's blood".[3]

The canes are sought-after and expensive, but have to a large extent been replaced by sticks made from plants, such as bamboos, rushes and osier willows.[4]

  • Stem
    Stem
  • Fruit
    Fruit
  • Rotang with fruits
    Rotang with fruits
  • Malacca cane chair
    Malacca cane chair
  • Malacca cane furniture
    Malacca cane furniture

References
  1. The Plant List, Calamus rotang
  2. India Biodiversity Portal, Calamus rotang L., common rattan
  3. "Missouri Botanical Garden". Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-11-26.
  4. "Rattan Palm". Archived from the original on 2008-12-27. Retrieved 2008-11-26.


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