Calamus floribundus Griff., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 5: 56 (1845)

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Distribution

INDIA (Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh), BANGLADESH, BURMA. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Grows in moist forests of the plains and lower hill valleys. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Description

  • A strong climber; stem cluster-forming, with leafsheath to 3 cm in diameter. Leaves ecirrate; leafsheath armed with to 3 cm long, subulate, horizontal to deflexed spines, mostly scattered or seriate, intermingled with dark brown bulbous based bristles; petiole strongly armed at margins with to 4 cm long, straight rigid spines, horizontal or deflexed from petiole; flagellum armed with black tipped claws; leaflets not many, lanceolate, 3-5 nerved, to 50 cm long, 3 - 4 cm wide at middle; upper leaflets crowded; terminal leaflets conspicuously connate at base. Male inflorescence flagelliform, to 3 m long; partial inflorescences to 40 cm long, thrice branched; primary bracts tubular, 2-edged, armed with scattered straight spines; secondary bracts tubular, non spiny, with funnel-like opening; flower branches alternate, inserted at the mouth or just above the mnouth of the respective bracts, each holding alternate, to 2 cm long rachillae; male flowers distichous, ovoid, 3-4 mm long; calyx rounded, almost smooth at base with 3-acute lobes; corolla twice longer than calyx. Female partial inflorescences fewer in number, 15-30 cm long; base of the partial inflorescences inserted within the primary bracts; rachillae 4 - 8 in number on each side of the flower branch, 8 -12 cm long, slightly arched, zig-zag between the flowers; involucrophorum sub-cupular, acutely toothed on each side, almost exserted from own bract. Female flowers 4 mm long, ovoid, conic. Fruit almost globose, suddenly beaked to 10mm in diameter; fruit-scales in 15 series, obtuse, shining, superficially channelled at middle, straw yellow in colour; seed sub-orbicular. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Materials Examined

  • Arunachal Pradesh : Abor Expedition (1911-12), Makum, 21.11.1919, Burkhil 35743 (CAL); Pobomukh, 15.12.1911, Burkhil 37041 (CAL). (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Cultivation

  • Not cultivated. (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