Calamus godefroyi
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The New York Botanical Garden
Summary
Source: WikipediaPart of a group, the subfamily Calamoideae, whose members are usually called rattans in English, Calamus godefroyi, is a climbing plant, and part of the Arecaceae, or palm, family. It is native to Cambodia, central Laos and northeast Thailand, and possibly southern Vietnam. Calamus godefroyi grows as a liana with an ascending stalk, sometimes climbing, up to 30m long. It grows near rivers in Cambodia, it is described as occurring in marshy, forested areas below 200m. It is distinguished from other Calamus species by having petioles less than 3 cm, the lowest pair of leaflets are often reflexed across the stem, and almost naked on faces, while the newly emerged leaflets have abaxial weak whitish indumentum. As well, the female partial inflorescences are short and stiffly curved. The conservation status of the species is regarded as unknown, but there are strong concerns of the population in Laos as the species occupies a habitat especially vulnerable to clearance because of agricultural intensification. There may be populations at Tonle Sap, Cambodia, which would ensure a secure population, but it not there is moderate concern. The plant is known by various names, including phdau tük (Khmer, phdau=rattan), wai nong (Lao), mak vai (Luang Namtha Province, Laos) and wai nam (หวายน้ำ) (Nong Khai, Thailand). The trunk/cane of the plant is used for mat and furniture making in Cambodia. Elsewhere the stem is used for handicrafts, and the shoot is eaten. The fruit is eaten in the mountainous areas of Luang Namtha Province, northwest Laos, where it is collected from primary forest.
Description
A rattan. It can climb 30 m long. The stems are in clusters. They are 1.5 cm across. The leaf sheaths are green with brown hairs. It has spines 2 cm long that point upwards. The leaf shoot is 1 m long with 15-20 oval leaflets on each side. They are arranged regularly. The flowering shoots are 1.3 m long. The fruit are round or oval and 1.6 cm long and 1.2 cm wide. They are yellow or white.
Edible Uses
Apical bud. Although we have no further 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
It is a tropical plant. In Indochina it grows in marshy forest below 200 m altitude. It occurs along the Mekong.
Where It Grows
Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Thailand,
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.
Other Uses
The stems are harvested from the wild for local use in making baskets, mats etc. The long and slender stems of Calamus species are put to various uses according to their size, length, flexibility, elasticity and toughness. The most slender canes are employed entire for binding purposes, and in making chairs, blinds, mats, wicker or basketwork, fishing implements, etc. Twisted together, they make very strong cables. The largest and more resistent canes are used entire as cables, the framework of wicker chairs etc. Usually, however, for many purposes the stems are split throughout their length into 2 - 4 or more strips from which the inner soft brittle and spongy portion is removed by means of a knife or same other instrument, so as to leave the external portion, which is hard, tough, flexible, elastic and has its outer surface very clean and smooth as if it had been varnished. Strips vary in width according to the use to which they are to be put. Those for delicate work, such as the network of furniture, small bags, hats, etc, are from 1 - 3mm wide; those employed as lashings in native housebuilding or in fastening the removable head of the Malay axe to its handle are from 5-6 mm wide. Collecting and preparing the stems is very simple. The stem is cut near the ground and detached from the trees by taking a strong hold of its base and thus pulling down the entire plant with its leaves. The most recent growth at the top of the plant is removed and then, handling it from the upper end, the stem is forcibly drawn in the opposite direction between two pieces of wood, thus removing the spiny coverings. It is then cut into lengths of about 5 metres, each piece is bent into two equal parts and the stems are fastened into bundles ready for market. The most valued stems are not thicker than a man's little finger and have a fine polished straw-yellow glassy surface.
Notes
There are 375-400 Calamus species. There are 175 species in tropical Asia.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Wai nong
References (2)
- 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
- Henderson, A., 2009, Palms of Southern Asia. Princeton Field Guides.
