Erect rattan
Calamus erectus

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A rattan. It is a large cane. It grows 6 m long and can be 5 cm across. The stem form tufts and are erect and have spines. The spines are flat and straight. The leaves are alternate and divided. The segments taper. The leaflets are spaced at equal distances. The middle ones are 60-80 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. The fruit is oval and has flattened scales. It is 3-5 cm long by 2-3 cm wide.

There are 375-400 Calamus species. There are 175 species in tropical Asia.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Laos it grows in evergreen forest. It grows between 600-1,600 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand

How it is used for food

The seeds are used as a substitute for betel nut. The ripe fruit are eaten raw. They are also pickled. The soft fleshy inner section of the young shoots is cooked and eaten as a vegetable. It is also used in chutney.

Edible parts

Seeds - masticatory, shoots, leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

In Sikkim fruit are produced in March.

Its other names

Local names

Aghawi, Betphal, Bettoni, Chingpi ngeh, Chingpingek, Hrui-phi, Kadam-bet, Khi sian, Phekre, Pre, Raidang bet, Raigongang, Raisok, Rhong, Rotan tegak, Soh-thri, Sokmil, Tara, Tare, Tarea, Tekhra, Thaing-kyein, Theru, Uhdum bizi, Viagra palm, Wai namsay

Synonyms

Calamus schizospathus Griff.; Calamus erectus var. schizospathus (Griff.) Becc.;