Calamus evansii A.J.Hend., Taiwania 52: 152 (2007)

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Distribution

Lao (Khammuane). (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Discussion

  • Lao specimens were included by Evans et al. (2002) in Calamus kingianus. However, they are morphologically and geographically distinct. The most noticeable difference is the shorter staminate rachillae of the Lao specimens (2-3 cm, versus 4-9 cm in C. kingianus), with the terminal rachilla of a partial inflorescence not longer than the others (versus longer in C. kingianus). (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Diagnosis

  • A Calamo kingiano differt pinnis longioribus et inflorescentiis bracteis primariis dense spinosis (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Lowland forest, at 520-530 m elevation. (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Common Name

  • Leum, wai leum (Lao) (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Uses

  • The stems are used for handicrafts (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Description

  • Stems clustered, 2.5-7 m long and 0.6-1.3 cm diameter (with leaf sheaths). Leaf sheaths green, with patchy, white tomentum initially, sparsely to densely covered with brown, black-tipped, flattened, horizontally spreading spines to 1 cm long, sometimes with many short spines interspersed; knees present; ocreas present, less than 0.5 cm long, densely covered with short, black bristles; flagella present; petioles 15-21 cm long, sparsely covered laterally and abaxially with recurved spines to 0.5 cm long; rachis 41-43 cm long, laterally and abaxially with few, recurved, solitary spines; pinnae 3-6 per side of rachis, lanceolate, arranged in distant groups or solitary, 30-43 cm long, 2.0-3.5 cm wide, without spines on the margins, minutely spiny at the apex, the apical pair of pinnae free or only briefly joined at their bases; cirri absent. Inflorescences 1.5-3 m long, flagellate; partial inflorescences inserted below the mouth of the partial inflorescence bracts; partial inflorescence bracts closely sheathing the main axis, briefly split at the apex, not bristly at the apex, densely covered with recurved spines; staminate inflorescences branched to three orders, with 5-7 partial inflorescences; rachillae 2-3 cm long; rachillae bracts distichously arranged, to 1 mm long, glabrous; floral bracteoles to 0.5 mm long, glabrous; staminate flowers not seen, arranged alternately and distichously along the rachillae; pistillate inflorescences branched to two orders, with 3-10 partial inflorescences, each with up to 19 rachillae; rachillae 3-8 cm long; rachillae bracts distichously arranged, to 2 mm long, glabrous; pistillate flowers to 12 per rachilla, borne alternately and distichously along the rachillae; sepals to 1.5 mm long, connate basally for ca. two-thirds their length, lobed above; petals to 2 mm long, free; fruits not seen. (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Materials Examined

  • Additional specimens examined: LAO. Khammuane: Nakai District, Ban Malua, Phon Nong Na, 17°40’N, 105°24’E, 530 m, 8 Mar 1999, Khamphone et al. 366 (K); same locality, same date, Khamphone et al. 367 (K). (Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007)A

Bibliography

    A. Henderson, A.J., New Species of Calamus (Palmae) from Lao and Myanmar in Taiwania 52(2). 2007