Calamus insignis var. insignis

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Malaya present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Thailand present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Kedah, Perak, Pahang, Selangor, Trengganu, Negri Sembilan, Johore: Endemic. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Discussion

  • This taxon is found in both lowland and hill Dipterocarp forest from sea-level to altitudes of nearly 800 m. It can be found at the edge of swamps and on ridgetops; it appears to be rather catholic in its ecological requirements. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Etymology

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

Common Name

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

Uses

  • Excellent small diameter cane entering the market as "rotan batu". Extensively used by "Orang Asli" as binding material and for fine basket ware. (Dransfield, J. 1979: A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Recirds 29.)A

Description

  • Clustering high climbing slender to moderate-sized rattan. Stems without sheaths to 7 mm; with to 1.5 cm, with internodes to 20 cm. All parts dry pale. Sheaths dull green armed with scattered upward-pointing pale yellow bulbous-based black-tipped spines to 3 mm high and scattered brownish scales. Knee prominent. Ocrea sometimes conspicuous. Flagellum to 2 m. Leaf ecirrate or subcirrate, or in some forms in the juvenile stage with a short cirrus. Petiole very short or to 15 cm long. Leaflets to 6 on each side, the terminal pair sometimes united or often only one terminal leaflet present and this much reduced; leaflets dull green, cucullate, thick in texture with prominent close lateral veins about 1.0 mm distant, the longest leaflet to 25 cm long by 7 cm wide, with a prominently thickened margin. Inflorescences male and female superficially similar to about 1.5 m long with up to 8 partialinflorescences to 12 cm long. Rachillae about 8 cm long. Ripe fruit oblong to 10 mm by 7 mm with a prominent beak to 2 mm long covered in 15-18 vertical rows of pale yellowish straw coloured scales. Seed oblong to 9 mm long by 5 mm wide, shallowly pitted. Endosperm homogeneous. Seedling leaf forked, the two leaflets joined for about 1/5 their length below, shiny green with prominent lateral veins. (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