Calamus polystachys (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Calamus polystachys Becc.

Family: Palmae

Vernacular names

• Indonesia: wai lau cincin (Sumatra), howe gelang (western Java)
• Malaysia: rotan sabung, rotan sabong (Peninsular Malaysia).

Distribution

Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Java; doubtfully recorded for Borneo.

Uses

Coarse cane used for broom handles.

Observations

Tall climber, clustering to form rather dense clumps or thickets. Stem to 1020 mm in diameter. Leafsheaths with green collars (which are formed by the union of the spine bases), encircling and interlocking to form tunnels which are usually antinfested (cf. Daemonorops sabut Becc.). Found in lowland swampy secondary forest.

Selected sources

4, 14.