Rattan
Rattan with bark
Rattan without bark.
Rattan
[Calamus Rotang] The climbing rattan palm (more than 500 species)
Family
Arecaceae
Height
The center trunk up to 20 meters and the stem/lianas grow up to 200 meters.
Location and climate
South Asia and Africa.
Pollination
Insects.
Usage
Cane furniture, baskets and all sorts of wickerwork. Most rattan products come from wild plants and rattan is very expensive. Rattan has been replaced with bamboo or willow over the years.
Rattan is strong and grows fast compared to tropical wood. Rattan is an important player in forest maintenance, since it provides a profitable crop rather than cutting down trees.
Rattan canes are much easier to transport and harvest than timber.
For many years rattan has been the preferred material for hunting weapons like spears.
Rattan does not splinter.
Some rattan plants carry edible fruit.
