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Summary
A high-value product for shady understory especially in multilayered tropical agroforestry systems. There are about 400 species in this genus, all native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are mostly leaf-climbing lianas with slender, reedy stems used for basketry, furniture, mats, clothing, buildings.
Physical Characteristics
Calamus spp is an evergreen Perennial growing to 50 m (164ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Many. See individual species.
Habitats
Edible Uses
Some species are edible. Check the individual plant. For example Calamus rotang has edible Shoots and Fruit. Young shoots - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 317 ]. Fruit - raw[ 2 ]. When ripe the fruit is roundish, as large as a hazelnut and is covered with small, shining scales, laid like shingles, one upon the other. The subacid pulp which surrounds the kernel is sucked out and eaten as a means of quenching the thirst[ 2 ]. Sometimes the fruit is pickled with salt and eaten at tea-time[ 2 ]. The globose fruits are about 13mm in diameter.
References
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
In some species the The wood is vermifuge[ 240 ]. The leaves are used in the treatment of biliousness and diseases of the blood[ 240 ]. The root is used in the treatment of chronic fevers and as an antidote to snake venom[ 240 ]. See the individual plant entries.
References
Our new book Edible Shrubs is now available.
Edible Shrubs provides detailed information, attractively presented, on over 70 shrub species. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, or they yield edible or useful oil.
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Other Uses
Other uses rating: High (4/5). Other Uses: This is the species which yields the best Rattan Cane of commerce. Other species are, however, used as substitutes. It is split into strips and plaited or woven into baskets, chairs, sofas, and carriages. It is twisted into ropes, or stretched entire across rivers, as the main supports of indigenous suspension bridges[ 387 ]. The core of the cane is made into furniture, basketry etc[ 317 ]. The skin peel is used for weaving of chair seats and bags[ 317 ]. Carbon Farming Solutions - Other Systems: multistrata.
Special Uses
References
Cultivation details
Climate: Tropical. Humidity: Humid. There are an estimated 400 species in this genus, all native to tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, and Australia. They are mostly leaf-climbing lianas with slender, reedy stems. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: coppice (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1]. .
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. In general, they are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with their stems able to grow up to the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil[ K ]. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Calamus species. Rattan, Rotang, Rattan Cane, Bet, Chachi bet, Heart, Pemu, Perambu, Raigong, Tingdon, Vetasa, Vetra, Rotan Rays. Radial Leaf Rotan,
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Acorus calamus | Sweet Flag - Calamus | Perennial | 1.0 |
4-11
| M | LMH | N | WeWa | 3 | 4 | |
| Calamus caesius | Rotan Sega | Climber | 100.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Calamus manan | Rotan Manau | Climber | 100.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Calamus ovoideus | Egg-shaped Rattan. Rotan Ovoid | Climber | 70.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Calamus radiatus | Rotan Rays. Radial Leaf Rotan | Climber | 50.0 |
11-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Calamus rotang | Rattan, Rotang, Rattan Cane | Climber | 25.0 |
11-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Calamus spp. | Rattan Palm | Perennial | 50.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Dendrocalamus asper | Giant Bamboo, Dragon bamboo, Sweet bamboo | Bamboo | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Dendrocalamus brandesii | Velvet Leaf Bamboo, Clumping Bamboo | Bamboo | 25.0 |
9-10
| F | LMH | N | M | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Dendrocalamus giganteus | Giant Bamboo, Bhalu bans, Dhungre bans | Bamboo | 30.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Dendrocalamus hamiltonii | Tama Bamboo. Tufted bamboo | Bamboo | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Dendrocalamus hookeri | Bhalu bans, Bhutan Green Bamboo | Bamboo | 20.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Dendrocalamus latiflorus | Sweet Bamboo, Sweet bamboo shoot, Taiwan giant bamboo | Bamboo | 20.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Dendrocalamus membranaceus | White bamboo | Bamboo | 15.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Dendrocalamus strictus | Male Bamboo. Calcutta Stricta or Bamboo | Bamboo | 15.0 |
9-12
| F | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Himalayacalamus asper | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
-
| F | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 0 | |
| Himalayacalamus brevinodus | | Bamboo | 9.0 |
-
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Himalayacalamus cupreus | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
-
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Himalayacalamus falconeri | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
7-10
| S | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Himalayacalamus fimbriatus | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
-
| F | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Himalayacalamus hookerianus | Padang | Bamboo | 9.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Indocalamus latifolius | | Bamboo | 1.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | S | M | 0 | 0 | |
| Thamnocalamus aristatus | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Thamnocalamus spathaceus | Umbrella Bamboo | Bamboo | 4.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | FSN | M | 0 | 0 | |
| Thamnocalamus spathiflorus | | Bamboo | 6.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Thamnocalamus tessellatus | Bergbamboes | Bamboo | 3.5 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 0 | |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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