Daemonorops angustifolia

(Griff.) Mart.

Arecaceae Edible: Fruit

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Description

A climbing palm or rattan in the family Arecaceae found in tropical regions.

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Edible Uses

The fruit is edible.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, Indonesia, SE Asia,

Cultivation

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics. Requires a sunny position in a moist soil. The plant requires high light intensities for growth. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Other Uses

The canes are used for making low quality furniture, for coring and binding. They are up to 40mm in diameter. The long and slender stems of rattan 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. The plant produces an abundant white latex when cut. There is no mention of it being utilized.

Synonyms

Calamus angustifolius Griff.Calamus hygrophilus Griff.Daemonorops angustispatha FurtadoDaemonorops carcharodon Ridl.Daemonorops hygrophila (Griff.) Mart.Palmijuncus hygrophilus (Griff.) Kuntze