Rattan

Calamus thwaitesii in southwestern India
Juvenile Calamus oblongus subsp. mollis in a forest understory in the Philippines

Rattan, also spelled ratan (from Malay: rotan), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae. The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the closed-canopy old-growth tropical forests of Southeast Asia, though they can also be found in other parts of tropical Asia and Africa.[1][2] Most rattan palms are ecologically considered lianas due to their climbing habits, unlike other palm species. A few species also have tree-like or shrub-like habits.[2]

Around 20% of rattan palm species are economically important and are traditionally used in Southeast Asia in producing wickerwork furniture, baskets, canes, woven mats, cordage, and other handicrafts. Rattan canes are one of the world's most valuable non-timber forest products. Some species of rattan also have edible scaly fruit and heart of palm. Despite increasing attempts in the last 30 years at commercial cultivation, almost all rattan products still come from wild-harvested plants. Rattan supplies are now rapidly threatened due to deforestation and overexploitation.[3][4] Rattan were also historically known as Manila cane or Malacca cane, based on their trade origins, as well as numerous other trade names for individual species.[5][6]

  1. ^ Dransfield, John (2002). "General introduction to rattan - the biological background to exploitation and the history of rattan research". In Dransfield, John; Tesoro, Florentino O.; Manokaran, N. (eds.). Rattan: current research issues and prospects for conservation and sustainable development (PDF). Non-Wood Forest Products 14. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). pp. 23–34. ISBN 9251046913.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Campbell2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Rattan: A Report of a Workshop held in Singapore, 4-6 June 1979 (PDF). Ottawa: International Development Research Centre. 1980. ISBN 0889362513.
  4. ^ Stiegel, Stephanie; Kessler, Michael; Getto, Daniela; Thonhofer, Joachim; Siebert, Stephen F. (August 2011). "Elevational patterns of species richness and density of rattan palms (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia". Biodiversity and Conservation. 20 (9): 1987–2005. doi:10.1007/s10531-011-0070-8.
  5. ^ Johnson, Dennis V. (2004): Rattan Glossary: And Compendium Glossary with Emphasis on Africa. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, p. 22.
  6. ^ Meicherczyk, R. (1989). "Forest and timber industry of Paraguay and international co-operation". Plant Research and Development. 29: 25–37.