Calamus penicillatus Roxb., Fl. Ind. ed. 1832 , 3: 781 (1832)

Primary tabs

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Malaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Penang: Penang Hill. Endemic. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Discussion

  • Calamus penicillatus is known from a very few collections, all made on Penang Hill. It still grows on the hill, where it has been found at 650 m altitude growing on a steep slope near a small stream, in hill Dipterocarp forest. It is easily distinguished by its very small size, the upward pointing sheath spines and the very small leaf with few leaflets. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Common Name

  • rotan batu (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Etymology

  • Penicillatus - pencil like, probably referring to the very slender stem (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Uses

  • This appears to be a first class cane but of very small diameter. This species however is extremely rare. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Description

  • Extremely slender clustering rattan climbing to 40 m tall. All pans drying pale. Stem without sheaths 2 - 4 mm in diameter, with sheaths to 7 mm, with internodes about 10 cm in length; sheaths dull green armed with upward pointing yellowish bulbous-based, black tipped spines 1 - 2 mm long, and scattered brownish scales. Knee conspicuous; Ocrea inconspicuous. Flagellum to 30 cm only. Leaf 40 cm long, ecirrate, without a petiole, bearing 3 - 4 leaflets on each side of the rachis; leaflets inequidistant, the terminal two slightly joined, bright green, thick textured, with rather conspicuous cross veins, the largest 15 cm long by 3 cm wide, usually less. Inflorescence male and female superficially similar very slender, rarely more than 60 cm long, with 4-5 partial inflorescences, to 15 cm long. Rachillae about 4 cm long. Fruit unknown; seedling leaf unknown. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay peninsula
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae