Daemonorops fissa (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Daemonorops fissa (Miq.) Bl.

Family: Palmae

Vernacular names

• Indonesia: rotan kotok (East Kalimantan), rotan bejungan (Central Kalimantan)
• Malaysia: wi ruak ai (Sarawak), gonot pipit, rotan damp (Sandakan).

Distribution

Borneo (Sarawak, Brunei, Sabah, Kalimantan).

Uses

The cane is of rather poor quality, used locally only. The palm cabbage ("umbut") is eaten in East Kalimantan, Brunei and Sabah. The cane might be used for its core, in the same way as related species in Peninsular Malaysia.

Observations

Clustering, robust rattan, to 30 m tall, forming thickets. Stem without leafsheaths 1825 mm in diameter, with sheaths to 35 mm in diameter; white latex exuding from the cut surface. Found on disturbed sites, swampy areas, sides of streams, and is particularly frequent in secondary forest on alluvial sites; it also occurs on hills up to 800 m altitude.

Selected sources

5, 18, 21, 32.