Giant rattan
Plectocomia elongata

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm or rattan. It is robust and forms tufts or clumps. It can grow 25-50 m long. It climbs high into tree. The stems are 4-7 cm across and do not have thorns but the leaf sheaths do. The plant dies after flowering. The leaves are large and the leaf sheaths have prickles. The leaves are divided into leaflets along the stalk. They end in a long whip like structure. The leaf sheath in large and rough and has rows of prickles across it. Male and female flowers are separate on the same plant. The fruit are oval, scaly and have one seed. The seed is 2-3 cm across.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Indonesia it grows to 1,500 m above sea level. It grows in lowland and mountain rainforest up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The growing tip or shoot is cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Palm heart, cabbage, shoots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Bubuay, Bubuwai, Pendjalin warak, Rotan besar, Rotan bubuay

Synonyms

Calamus maximus Reinw. ex Schult.f.; Plectocomia crinita Gentil ex Chitt.; Rotang maximus Baill.; and others