Calamus mesilauensis J.Dransf., Kew Bull. 36: 797 (1982)

Primary tabs

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Borneo present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Only known from lower montane forest on Kinabalu; endemic. (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Discussion

  • The presence of a vestigial flagellum as well as a cirrus indicates that this species belongs to the group of species related to C. pogonacanthus. The highly tattered inflorescence bracts distinguish it from C. pogonacanthus and the ± unarmed leaflets differentiate it from C. hepbumii. A sterile specimen from Bt. Si lam (JD 5841) may possibly belong to C. mesilauensis. (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Etymology

  • From the type locality (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Uses

  • None known but of generally good appearance. (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Description

  • Slender clustering rattan climbing to c 10 m; stems without sheaths c 8 mm diam., with to 15 mm diam.; internodes to 20 cm. Sheaths pale green with scattered brown scales and armed with scattered large triangular dark brown spines to 10 x 5 mm with swollen yellowish bases and black hairy margins, and much smaller spines to 3 mm scattered in between or in short groups. Knee conspicuous. Ocrea short, fringed with stiff blackish hairs. Vestigial flagellum present to 5 cm. Leaf to 1.25 m including cirrus to 70 cm and very short petiole to 5 cm; cirrus armed with scattered not grouped spines; leaflets c 10 on each side of the rachis, irregularly arranged in four groups of 2 or 3; longest leaflets to 40 x 3.5 cm, plicate, unarmed except for a few black bristles at the tip. Male and female inflorescences superficially similar, to 50 cm, with a short peduncle to 11 cm; main bracts to 15 cm, dull dirty brown covered in brown scales and scattered spines, deeply split and tattering giving the whole inflorescence a dead appearance; male and female rachillae to c 4 cm. Ripe fruit large, wider than high, to 18 x 23 mm, tipped with a cylindrical beak to 1.5 x 1.5 mm and covered in 24 - 26 vertical rows of deep reddish brown scales; seed ± depressed globose to 12 x 17 mm; endosperm deeply ruminate. Seedling leaf unknown. (Fig. 54) (Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1984: The Rattans of Sabah. Sabah Forest Records 13.
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae