Palasan, Rattan palm
Calamus merrillii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A vigorous climbing palm. It has slender stems which can be 60 m long. The fronds have leaflets along the stalk. These bear hooks which help the plant to climb. The young stem have many spines. The fruit are white and about 1 cm across. They are edible.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It does best in tropical conditions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indochina, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It is a fast growing palm.

Its other names

Local names

Waii

Synonyms

Calamus maximus;