Calamus dongnaiensis
Pierre ex Becc.
Long-tcheou
gbif· cc-by
The New York Botanical Garden
gbif· cc-by
The New York Botanical Garden
gbif· cc-by
The New York Botanical Garden
Description
A palm or rattan. It forms clumps. It is not climbing. It has green stems and these are also underground. It grows 1.2 m tall. The stems are 5 cm across. The leaves are large and have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are 1 m long and 30 cm wide. They are green. The leaflets are 60 cm long by 3 cm wide. The flowering stalks are long, slender and drooping.
Edible Uses
Fruit. Although we have no specific information for this species, many members of this genus have potentially edible young shoots. Indeed, in Laos the shoots are considered to be a delicacy and over half the species growing there are said to be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The top 100cm of the plant is used. If the leaf sheaths are left in place until just before cooking then the shoot will remain fresh for up to one week.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in wet and humid tropical rainforest.
Where It Grows
Asia, Indochina, SE Asia, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. Leaves of young plants are normally damaged if exposed to too much light, though leaves of older plants will usually tolerate full sun. In general, plants are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with enough gap in the canopy to encourage their stems to grow up towards the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil. Many of the species require fairly moist conditions for good growth, in fact several of them grow in wet soils or in areas with seasonal inundation - where we have the information it will be included under the plant’s habitat. Overhead shade should be manipulated at about 6-monthly intervals for the first 2 - 3 years of a young plant’s life to ensure they receive sufficient light to grow vigorously. About 40 - 50% light penetration is generally considered to be ideal for promoting stem growth. Little care is needed once the seedlings are established. It is important, however, to weed the area surrounding the seedlings occasionally until the plants are more than 2 metres tall. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Propagation
Seed - it has a fairly short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe.
Production
It is fast growing.
Notes
There are 375-400 Calamus species. There are 175 species in tropical Asia.
References (3)
- Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 72
- Evans, T. D., et al, 2002, A Synopsis of the Rattans (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) of Laos and Neighbouring Parts of Indochina. Kew Bulletin, Vol. 57, No. 1 (2002), pp. 1-84
- Johnson, D.V., 1998, Tropical palms. Non-wood Forest products 10. FAO Rome. p 66
