Sega rattan
Calamus caesius

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A cane or rattan. It forms clusters. It climbs and the canes can be 100 m long. The leaf sheath is dull green and has triangle shaped spines. The leaflets are usually in alternate pairs. There are 15 on each side. The fruit is oval and one seeded. It is There is an outer fleshy coat.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs to be grown in forest. It suits moist alluvial soils and flooded river banks. It can grow up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Malaysia, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw.

Fruit are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The fruit are squashed and the flesh allowed to rot for 2 days and then planted. They germinate in 10 days. They can also be grown from suckers.

The fruit are available in India from February to April. Stems can grow 8 m long in 5 years.

Its other names

Local names

Heiree, Huwi sahsah, Huwi sesah, Ratan sega, Rotan sega perak, Rotan saog, Seka, Sika, Takathong

Synonyms

Calamus glaucescens Blume [Illegitimate]; Rotang caesius (Blume) Baill.; and others