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

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Content

Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Borneo present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Malaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Sumatera present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
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
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae