Korthalsia debilis Blume, Rumphia 2: 169 (1843)

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Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Borneo present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Sumatera present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
A poorly known rattan, questionably recorded from scattered localities throughout Brunei. Elsewhere in Kalimantan, Sarawak and Sumatra. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Discussion

  • K. debilis is poorly known and can only be separated with confidence from slender forms of K. rigida when fertile. However the net-like ocrea seems to be consistently present whereas, in K. rigida it is normally truncate. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Biology And Ecology

  • The few records from Brunei have been from mixed dipterocarp forest on gentle slopes and ridges in the lowlands and up to 870 m above sea level. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Etymology

  • Weak (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Uses

  • Not known. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Description

  • Clustering slender rattan with stems climbing to 20 m, branching in the canopy. Stem without sheaths to 4 mm diam., with sheaths to 8 mm diam., internodes c. 10 cm long. Sheaths dull green, bearing very few scattered, short triangular spines or unarmed, and with abundant deciduous black scales; ocrea tightly sheathing, to c. 2 cm long, net-like and bearing short spines. Leaf cirrate to c. 60 cm long including the cirrus to c. 35 cm, and short petiole 2-5 cm; leaflets 3-5 on each side of the rachis, with or without short stalks, rather narrow rhomboid, up to c. 15 × 4 cm, the distal margins praemorse, upper surface usually shining green when fresh, lower surface covered with grey indumentum. Inflorescences produced from the topmost 1-3 nodes, small and rather inconspicuous, each with 3-4 slender rachillae to 90 × 4 mm, the rachilla tomentum pale grey brown. Fruit not known. (Fig. 2). (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Materials Examined

  • TEM: Amo, Bt.Belalong, Dransfield J. 7142; Amo, Bt.Retak, Wong 830; Amo, Kuala Belalong, Stockdale 23; Amo, Kuala Belalong, Stockdale 35. (Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. 1997: The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae