Calamus leptospadix Griff., Calcutta J. Nat. Hist. 5: 49 (1845)

Primary tabs

no image available

Content

Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Assam present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Bangladesh present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
East Himalaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Nepal present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
INDIA (West Bengal, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh), BHUTAN. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Mostly on damp river plains, and forming big thickets. It becomes a cluster forming high climber when it grows in moist valleys among tall trees. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Common Name

  • Dhangri bet, Rab bet, Rani bet, Mugri bet. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Uses

  • Cane is thin and delicate therefore used mainly for making rough baskets. Split canes are durable and used for making chair bottoms. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Description

  • A slender cluster forming climber; stem thickened at joints, with lead-sheaths 12-20 mm in diameter, naked stem smooth, 8 -10 mm in diameter at the internodes. Leaves ecirrate, delicate looking, 80-105 cm long; leafsheath with flagellum, thickly scurfy outside, armed with flattened, 15-20 mm long, subulate, half-whorled spines; ocrea persistent, prickly at margins; flagellum filiform with non-spinous base; armed distally with small, delicate claws; petiole terete; petiole and rachis armed with deflexed spines and claws; rachis delicate angular, covered thickly with greyish indumentum; leaflets closely placed, linear-ensiform, alternate to sub-opposite, to 30 cm long, distinctly 3-nerved, attenuate at base; acuminate to bristly subulate at apex; uppermost leaflets shorter. Male inflorescence flagelliform, decompound; male rachillae scorpioid, 1 -2cm long, with 6-12 closely set bifarious flowers. Male flowers 4-4.5 X 1.5 mm; calyx tubular, campanulate, divided up to middle into apiculate lobes; corolla double the length of calyx into 3 oblong segments. Female inflorescence similar to male; female rachillae erect from base, arching above, 1.5 - 2 cm long; each with 5-8 female flowers. Fruit globose, 1.5 mm in diameter, mamil-late; fruit scales yellow with reddish brown margins, channelled at middle; seed globose, endosperm homogeneous. (Basu, S.K. 1992: Rattans (canes) in India. A Monographic Revision)A

Cultivation

  • Infrequent in silviculture practice. Experimental cultivation was possible in the Jalpaiguri forest division of north Bengal. Cultivated in the Indian Botanic Garden, Howrah. (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