Calamus polystachys Becc., Ann. Roy. Bot. Gard. (Calcutta) 11(1): 383 (1908)

Primary tabs

https://media.e-taxonomy.eu/palmae/photos/palm_tc_29848_1.jpg

Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Jawa present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Malaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Sumatera present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Pahang near Mentakab and Pulau Tioman. Sumatra, Borneo, Java. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Discussion

  • Only collected twice, this rattan has probably been overlooked. In Sumatra and Java it is a common rattan of lowland swampy secondary habitats (see Dransfield and Manokaran in press). (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Common Name

  • rotan sabong (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Etymology

  • Polus - many, stachus - an ear of corn, referring to the presence of more than one rachilla at each bract in the inflorescence (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Uses

  • Not known. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Description

  • High climbing rattan clustering to form rather dense clumps or thickets. Stems without sheaths 1-2 cm in diameter, with sheaths to 3.5 cm. Internodes about 15 cm often much longer in juvenile stems. Sheaths with conspicuous knee; sheath bright green bearing numerous whorls or partial whorls of fine black horse-hair-like spines, the bases of which united to form green collars encircling the stem, some of the collars upward pointing, others reflexed, at least some collars interlocking in pairs to form galleries usually occupied by ants. Leaves to 2.5 m long with cirrus to 80 cms and petiole 6 cm only on mature stems, longer in juveniles. Leaflets about 60 on each side of the rachis bright green, regularly arranged, rather narrow about 30-40 cm long by 1 cm wide, bristly on both surfaces. Inflorescence emerging from mouth of leaf sheath, about 50 cm long, without terminal flagellum, with 7-8 partial inflorescences on each side of the axis, the partial inflorescences subtending sparsely spiny or inerm bracts each on subtending 3 flower-bearing branches; male and female flowers both small, distichous. Fruit at maturity ovate not exceeding 6-8 mm in diameter covered in 18 vertical rows of ivory-coloured scales; seed grooved and pitted. Seedling leaf with 4 leaflets. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae