Korthalsia echinometra Becc., Malesia 2: 66 (1884)

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Content

Distribution

Very widespread throughout Brunei. Elsewhere widespread in Borneo, Sumatra and the southern part of Peninsular Malaysia. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Discussion

  • K. echinometra is perhaps the commonest species of the genus. It is a very distinctive species, though confusingly like a rattan other than a species of Korthalsia when viewed from a distance. The very spiny swollen ocrea and narrow leaflets are diagnostic. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Biology And Ecology

  • It occurs in lowland and hill dipterocarp forest up to 1000 m above sea level. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Etymology

  • Spiny pudenda (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Common Name

  • Wi Keruk, Wi Wisro (Ib.) (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Uses

  • Much sought after for use, split, in basket weaving and for basket frames. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Description

  • Moderately robust clustering and branching rattan climbing to 40 m. Stem without sheaths to 2 cm diam., with sheaths to 3 cm. diam., internodes rather short to 12 cm. Sheaths bright green, sparsely armed, almost completely covered by the ocreas; ocrea to 10 × 5 cm, grossly swollen, densely covered with long black spines to 6 cm long; ants abundant within the ocreas. Leaf to 1.8 m including the cirrus to 70 cm and petiole to 10 cm or more. Leaflets numerous, c. 25 on each side of the rachis, narrowly elongate, to 30 × 3 cm, dark green on the upper surface, chalky- white beneath, praemorse only in the distalmost 3-6 cm. Inflorescences to c. 60 cm long, with up to 15 rachillae in each; rachillae to 20 × 1.5 cm, reddish-brown tomentose. Mature fruit ovoid, 2.5 × 1.5 cm, covered in 18-21 vertical rows of reddish- brown scales. Seed to 15 × 10 mm; endosperm ruminate. Seedling leaf bifid with narrow leaflets. (Fig. 6, Pl. 2C, 2D). (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Materials Examined

  • BEL: Sungai Liang, Sungei Liang Arboretem, Wong 143. TEM: Amo, K.Belalong, Dransfield J. 6721; Batu Apoi, Bt.Gelagas (Bt.Suang), Simpson 2365. Without prov.: BRUN 15126. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam