Calamus diepenhorstii (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Calamus diepenhorstii Miq.

Family: Palmae

Vernacular names

• Indonesia (except Sulawesi): rotan batu, rotan sega batu
• Malaysia: rotan koman, rotan kerai hitam (Peninsular Malaysia), wi batu (Iban), rotan putih (Sabah)
• Philippines: abuan
• Thailand: waikhom.

Distribution

Widely distributed throughout the region, from Thailand to Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.

Uses

The canes are used for tying thatch, for cordage and basketry. Other minor uses include making fish traps and noose traps.

Observations

A clustering, high climbing rattan to about 20 m. Stems slender, rarely more than 15 mm in diameter without leafsheaths, to 25 mm in diameter with sheaths. Leafsheath covered with shiny black laminar spines with hairy margins. Three varieties are recognized: var. diepenhorstii, widespread, var. major J. Dransf., endemic to Sabah and var. exulans Becc. confined to Palawan in the Philippines. Usually found on ridges and slopes in lowland and hill dipterocarp forests.

Selected sources

14, 18, 20, 22, 29, 35, 46.