Rattan, Rotang, Rattan Cane
Calamus rotang

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Rattan Cane or Calamus rotang is a dioecious rattan palm that grows up to 10 m tall and 200 m wide. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar but can now be found throughout Southeast Asia. The leaves are pinnate, alternate and with spines on the upper face. The flowers are clustered and enclosed by spiny spathes. Young shoots are cooked and eaten as vegetables. The fruits are edible as well and yield an astringent red resin known as 'Dragon's blood. Dragon's blood is used as a dye, in painting, and in medicine against respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. It is also used as a treatment for wounds, diarrhoea, fever, dysentery, mouth ulcers, and skin conditions. The wood of C. rotang is also used medicinally to expel intestinal worms. The leaves are used for biliousness and blood diseases, and the root for fevers and as an antidote to snake venom. C. rotang yields the best rattan cane among other species. It is split into strips and plaited, used in baskets, chairs, and carriages, made into ropes, etc.

Calamus rotang is an evergreen Climber growing to 25 m (82ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

Common in coastal fresh water swamp forests, frequent along fresh water streams of lower hill valleys.

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, East Timor, India, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Edible portion: Shoots, Fruit. Young shoots - cooked and eaten as a vegetable. Fruit - raw. When ripe the fruit is roundish, as large as a hazelnut and is covered with small, shining scales, laid like shingles, one upon the other. The subacid pulp which surrounds the kernel is sucked out and eaten as a means of quenching the thirst. Sometimes the fruit is pickled with salt and eaten at tea-time. The globose fruits are about 13mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The wood is vermifuge. The leaves are used in the treatment of biliousness and diseases of the blood. The root is used in the treatment of chronic fevers and as an antidote to snake venom.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating: 4

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Other Uses: This is the species which yields the best Rattan Cane of commerce. Other species are, however, used as substitutes. It is split into strips and plaited or woven into baskets, chairs, sofas, and carriages. It is twisted into ropes, or stretched entire across rivers, as the main supports of indigenous suspension bridges. The core of the cane is made into furniture, basketry etc. The skin peel is used for weaving of chair seats and bags.

Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

String: Plants that can be used for string or can be easily made into a string. See also Fibre. Plants for ropes may be included.

Weaving: Items such as grass and palm leaves that are woven together for making mats, baskets etc. See also Basket making and Fibre.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. In general, they are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with their stems able to grow up to the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 11-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Rattan Cane or Calamus rotang. Other Names: Bet, Chachi bet, Heart, Pemu, Perambu, Raigong, Tingdon, Vetasa, Vetra, Rattan, Rotang, Rattan Cane

Synonyms

Calamus monoecus Roxb. Calamus roxburghii Griff. Draco rotang Crantz Palmijuncus monoecus (Roxb.) Ku