Calamus rotang

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

Calamus rotang aka rotang is a plant species native to India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar (Burma). It one of the scandent rattan palms used for Malacca cane in the making of 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]

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The canes are sought-after and expensive, but have to a large extent been replaced by sticks made from plants, such as bamboos, rushes and osier willows.[4]

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