Calamus gamblei Becc., Fl. Brit. India 6: 453 (1893)

Primary tabs

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
India present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
INDIA (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka). Endemic. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Biology And Ecology

  • In moist forests of the Western Ghats mostly at 600-2000 m. Common in the Nilgiri Hills. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Uses

  • The glossy yellow cane is largely used for making furniture. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Description

  • A moderately strong climber; stem cluster forming, without sheath bright yellow in colour, 1.5 cm in diameter. Leaves ecirrate; leafsheath with prominent knee and flagellum, light green to yellowish green in colour, densely armed with non-seriate, stiff, bulbous-based spines; leaflets ensiform, alternate, acuminate, to 50 cm long, 2 - 2.5 cm broad at middle, ciliate at apices, bristly on upper and lower nerves; petiole armed with straigth, subulate spines; rachis with conspicuous bulbous based curved spines. Inflorescence flagelliform, 3 m or more long; axial part of inflorescence digitately clawed at intervals; male partial inflorescences to 150 cm long; primary bract armed with 1 cm long straight spines; male rachillae 8 - 10 cm long, attached above the mouth of the respective basal bracts; female partial inflorescences attached high above the mouth of the respective basal bracts; each 25 - 30 cm long; involucrophorum in female rachilla outside its own bract, distinctly pedicelliform; involucre discoid, almost flat; female flowers in 2 series, 5 mm long, each pointed upward. Fruit ovoid, tapering at base, 20 - 25 mm x 18 mm; fruit scales swollen outside, shining, pale yellow, with deep channel at middle, arranged in 21 longitudinal series; endosperm ruminate; embryo basal. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Materials Examined

  • Tamil Nadu : Nilgiri, Makurti forest, 5000 ft. June 1884. Gamble 14405 (CAL); Kerala: Kottayam, Old Devicolam, 25.1.1964, Sebastine 18474 (MH); Upper Vegavurrai, 25.4.1966. Shetty 27375 (MH); Trivendrum, Benacord Estate forest, 9.10.1973. Joseph 44647 (MH). Karnataka : Chikmagalur, Kudremukh 1450 m, 25.2.1984. Vajravelu 77850 (MH); Coorg, Pallekunde, 18.2.1980. Vajravelu 77794 (MH). (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Cultivation

  • Cultivated in trial plots of the Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Kerala. (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
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae