Rattan Species Research Articles

An evaluation of the nutrient contents of the edible shoots of four species of Rattans from India

Four rattan species C. tenuis Roxb., C. thwaitesii Becc. & Hook.f., C. hookerianus Becc. and C. rivalis Thw. ex Trim., were studied to raise information on the nutrient value of the edible shoots. The rattan species contain a considerable amount of protein, when compared to other palm shoots. Among mineral nutrients, calcium, manganese and iron contents are higher which are important elements in human metabolic activities. Three months old shoots are best suited for consumption.

Ant and rattan associations in forest of tropical Africa

Recent fieldwork aimed at increasing our knowledge of the taxonomy and ecology of African rattans has indicated that there is a significant relationship between these climbing palms and a number of ant species. A closer investigation into this relationship has found that the morphology of rattan palms is particularly well-suited for the colonisation of ants as they are provided with a wide range of domatia, or “little houses” for them to inhabit. Although there seems not to be a symbiotic relationship between ants and rattans in Africa, there is a clear relationship between which species of ant colonises individual rattan species indicating that there is some level of ant and rattan specificity. The management implications of this are not clear at present but may become more significant as more intensive production systems for rattans in Africa become more common. Keywords: Africa, rattans, ants, morphology, symbiosis Ghana Journal of Forestry Vol. 15&16 2004: 13-19

Genetic diversity among rattan genotypes from India based on RAPD-marker analysis

Southeast Asia hosts a great diversity of different rattan genotypes. There are 5 genera and 60 different species of rattan in India and the Northeastern region is a natural sanctuary for 4 different genera and 16 different species. The natural reserves of this species have come under the threat of genetic erosion due to overexploitation. This investigation was directed at characterizing 15 rattan genotypes of the genera Calamus, Plectocomia and Daemonorops which yield rattans of commercial importance, based on RAPD fingerprints. From 20 different random decamer primers, 12 primers gave reproducible amplification profiles and 104 polymorphic bands. A considerable degree of polymorphism (98.1%) was detected among the genotypes. Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity ranged from 0.146 to 0.632 with a mean of 0.320±0.082, signifying extensive genetic divergence among the genotypes studied. UPGMA cluster analysis clearly distinguished P. assamica Griff. and C. erectus Roxb. The other 13 genotypes were grouped into two distinct clusters, one cluster involving two C. tenuis genotypes along with C. inermis T.Anders. and C. acanthospathus Griff. and the other cluster involving the rest of the Calamus genotypes along with D. jenkinsianus (Griff.) Mart. Unique fingerprints for 7 Calamus and 1 Daemonorops genotypes were detected. The results presented in this paper demonstrated the utility of RAPD markers in elucidating patterns of genetic variation among genotypes of the three main rattan genera of Northeast India and in identifying individual genotypes, which may serve as potential sources of unique genetic material for genetic improvement and conservation.

Assessment of genetic diversity in Calamus thwaitesii BECC. (Arecaceae) using RAPD markers

Calamus thwaitesii Becc. is a potentially useful rattan found in the Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. The wild stock of this rattan species is greatly diminished due to overexploitation for the furniture industry and increasingly rare. Genetic diversity was estimated in 80 samples representing eight populations from the Western Ghats and Sri Lanka using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. RAPDs generated a total of 120 markers with 10 decamer primers, of which 85% were found to be polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci varied from 40.00 to 60.83 and genetic distance between populations ranged from 0.0332 to 0.2777. Among the analysed populations, Goa was found to be genetically superior followed by Achenkovil, Sinharaja and Talakkaveri. Majority of the genetic diversity was distributed within populations (70.79%) and only (29.21%) among populations. Genetic relationships estimated by the unweighted pair-group method with arithmetic averaging (UPGMA) cluster analysis and principal co-ordinate analysis failed to separate Indian and Sri Lankan populations geographically into two distinct groups.

Growth strategy of the stoloniferous rattan Calamus javensis in Mt. Halimun, Java

Calamus javensis is a widespread understorey rattan in Southeast Asia and is one of the dominant rattan species in Mt. Halimun National Park, West Java. This species can establish clumps either sexually with seeds or clonality with stolons. To analyze the role of sexual reproduction and clonality for clump establishment in C. javensis, we studied the vegetative and genetic structures of the population. Totals of 2,777 ramets comprising 1,321 clumps were found in three 0.16 ha plots. The number of ramets per clump showed reverse J-shaped distribution with a maximum of 15. Clustering and stoloniferous ramets accounted for 62 and 20% of all ramets, respectively. This indicates that C. javensis is actively engaged in clustering clonal growth. The longest stem was 14 m although 75% of all stems were shorter than 1 m long. The stolon ranged from 6 to 538 cm in length, which decreased the local density of ramets. Using randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis, we obtained 56 polymorphic bands for 118 clumps sampled from one of the plots. All samples showed different RAPD banding patterns, except one pair at a distance of 225 cm from each other. The genetic similarity among samples closer than 10 m was significantly higher than the expected value from a purely random distribution. These results suggest that most separate clumps are established by recruitment from seeds, and most seeds dispersed near mother plants. Hence, in C. javensis, clonality is more a growth strategy to increase the size of the genet than a dispersion-propagation strategy to expand the habitat.

Identification of Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers Linked to Sex Determination in Calamus simplicifolius C. F. Wei.

Abstract: The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) molecular marker technique was used to determine the sex of Calamus simplicifolius C. F. Wei. In the present study, DNA samples were extracted individually from 10 male and 10 female plants. After a total of 1 040 decamer primers had been tested, an approximate 500‐bp male‐specific DNA fragment was generated with the S1443 primer. It is feasible to identify sex at the early stages of plant life, which is beneficial for improving breeding programs of this dioecious species. In addition, we have obtained a proper RAPD protocol that is useful for other species of rattan.(Managing editor: Li‐Hui ZHAO)

Rattan species richness and population genetic structure of Calamus flagellum in North-Eastern Himalaya, India

Rattans, the climbing palms, are one of the most important non-wood forest produce supporting the livelihood of many forest dwelling communities in India. However, extensive harvest, loss of habitat and poor regeneration has resulted in dwindling of rattan populations necessitating an urgent need to conserve the existing rattan genetic resources. In this study, using GIS tools, an attempt has been made to develop species richness maps of rattans in the North-Eastern Himalaya, a mega-diversity region in India. At least four sites of extremely high species richness were identified that could be prioritized for in situ conservation. Further, using molecular tools, genetic variability was assessed in six populations of an economically important rattan, Calamus flagellum. The population that was least disturbed or harvested maintained comparatively higher levels of genetic diversity than those that were disturbed. The study, perhaps the first in the region, emphasizes the need for developing strategies for the long-term conservation of rattans in the North-Eastern Himalaya.

Variation in some anatomical and physical properties of stems of five rattan palm species of Ghana

Selected anatomical and physical properties of stems of Calamus deeratus, Eremospatha dransfieldii, Eremospatha macrocarpa, Laccosperma acutiflorum and Laccosperma secundiflorum in the natural forest of Ghana were investigated to aid in understanding their quality and to promote their efficient utilization. Fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness (fibre diameter minus fibre lumen diameter) and proportion of fibres exhibited a more definite pattern of variations within and between all the five species than other anatomical properties. Generally, proportion of fibre and double fibre wall thickness decreased, whereas fibre lumen diameter increased from base to top internodes. Initial moisture content increased consistently from base to top internodes whilst relative density decreased in the same direction. Simple regression analysis of physical properties on anatomical properties revealed that fibre lumen diameter, double fibre wall thickness and proportion of fibre are important parameters likely to influence initial moisture content and relative density along the stems and between all species investigated. Stem quality of all five species is also discussed.

Struktur Anatomi Tiga Jenis Batang Rotan Anatomical Properties of Three Rattans Culm

Rattan is one of the monocotyl species, which is economically important. Rattan culm is used for furniture, souvenir and housewares. Indonesian rattan varies accordingly, but only about 30% of them have been developed. This paper describes anatomical structure of three rattan species to get information about its utilization. Three rattan species namely Balubuk ( Calamus burchianus Becc.), Lilin ( Calamus javensis Bl.) and Tretes ( Calamus heteroideus Bl.) were used as samples. Macroscopically, anatomical structure was observed on massive rattan culm, while microscopically was observed from microtome-sectioned samples. Fibre dimension was observed from macerated samples. All anatomical quantities were compared to those of Manau rattan, since its utilization has been known. The metaxylem diameter of those three rattans was bigger than that of Manau rattan, so that those rattans were less durable than Manau. Fibre of rattan studied was shorter and thinner than that of Manau, as a result their strength were lower than that of Manau rattan. As their strength were less than Manau, the utilization of these three species was not recommended to work on direct forces

Harvesting, processing and utilisation of rattan canes in Western Nigeria

Synopsis Field trips were undertaken as a preliminary exercise, to identify the available rattan species in Western Nigeria and to estimate the quantities available. Information relating to their end-uses was collected from cane furniture makers and other rattan cane users through the use of questionnaires and personal observation. The species in descending order of availability were Calamus deeratus, Eremospatha macrocarpa, Oncocalamus manni and Laccosperma secondiflorum. L. secundiflorum, C. deerratus, E. macrocarpa and O. manni having average stock densities per plot oflOO square metres of6, 22, 12 and 18 clumps respectively. The diameters of the small-stemmed rattan species (C. deerratus, E. macrocarpa and O. manni) ranged from 7.2 to 17.8mm while that of L. secundiflorum, a large stemmed species, ranged from 12.5 to 38.5mm. Rattan canes were mainly from wild stocks and cane furniture/handicraft weavers form the bulk of cane users. Other uses of cane within the study area include: as cane for flogging...

The growth performance of different commercially important rattans at eight years after planting

A species trial with eight commercially important rattan species was conducted at two different elevations in the natural forests in Kerala. When both survival and total height are considered, Calamus baratangensis is the best species suited for areas around 1000 m elevation and Daemonorops kurzianus for 300 m. In the 6th year C. baratangensis produced 18 m of commercially utilizable cane at 1000 m and 45 m at 300 m. But during the 8th year the survival percentage of this species was reduced to 10% at 300 m. At the end of 6th year four species reached a harvestable length at 1000 m and five species reached a harvestable length at 300 m.

Characteristics of three western Nigerian rattan species in relation to their utilisation as construction material

Physical and mechanical properties of three rattan cane species, Calamus deerratus, Eremospatha macrocarpa and Laccosperma secundiflorum, were evaluated. The objective was to determine their suitability for construction, especially for structural members. Proximate analyses as well as mineral contents were also determined. The moisture content and density of green samples were 155% (dry basis) and 587 kg/m3, respectively. L. secundiflorum had the highest carbohydrate content while C. deerratus had the least. Radial shrinkage and swelling exceeded longitudinal shrinkage and swelling in all the rattan species, suggesting high anisotropism in movement. Moisture content had significant effect (P < 0.05) on the moduli of elasticity and rupture of all the rattan species. The moduli of elasticity of C. deerratus, E. macrocarpa and L. secundiflorum were 3396, 516 and 11 106 N/mm2 respectively. The strength properties of the rattan canes were found to be lower than those of timber species of comparable densities. The physical and mechanical properties of the rattan canes studied were found to be adequate for use as reinforcement in lowly stressed concrete elements, such as frameworks for ferrocement and complex shaped formworks.

Rattan Species at Three Mounts in Gunung Halimun National Park, West Java

Management of forest is believed that many basic knowledges about the nature of the forest is needed. One of them is to develop the forest as a resource of cane industry in a sustainable way. For this purpose, the composition, distribution and density of rattan species in Gunung Halimun National Park (INGH) were studied as a model. Data were collected from December 1994 until May 1995. For species composition on rattan in TNGH, three areas were observed namely in Mt. Kancana, Mt. Pameungpeuk and Mt. Pangkulahan using a continues belt transect method, from the elevation of 800-1,400 m above sea level. It was found that there were 13 species of rattans in the region. In terms of species richness and densities, Mt. Pameungpeuk comes first, followed by Mt. Pangku1ahan and Mt. Kancana. Calamus beteroides, C.javensis, Daemonorops melanocbaetes, and Plectocomia elongata are dominant both in seedling and nature forms. The nature rattans are relatively abundant in areas less than 1,000 meter above sea level and decrease in number of species as well as the minimal population in the higher altitude. Calamus ornatus grows well at 800-1,400 m asl, while Daemonorops ruber at 800-1,500 m asl, D.oblonga at 800-1,400 m asl.

Accelerated growth of two important species of Rattans: Role of gibberellic acid

Enhancement of initial growth of slow growing forest species has an advantage in terms of their survival and establishment in the main field. Rattans being the slow growing forest species survive better if early growth is enhanced. In order to accelerate the early growth and therefore to produce vigorous and sturdy seedlings, gibberellic acid, an endogenous growth hormone at a concentration of 200 and 300 ppm was applied exogenously to the seedlings of Rattans for 3 months at an interval of one week. Various growth parameters studied revealed that there is significant increase in clump height and dry weight in GA treated seedlings over the control. However, the culm number did not differ significantly across the treatments. The per cent increase in clump height and dry weight in GA treated seedlings was to the extent of 50 to 80% over the control seedlings. The results clearly indicate that there is possibility to boost up the initial growth in slow growing forest species like Rattans using a potent growth regulator Gibberellic acid.

An identification key for rattans of Western Ghats based on seed characters

A detailed study of the seeds of Rattan species of Western Ghats revealed that most of the seed characteristics are species specific. The most useful characters are the shape, size, colour and surface features. A field identification key based on these characters was prepared for 16 species of Calamus, the only Rattan genus in the Western Ghats.

A Revision of the Calamus aruensis (Arecaceae) Complex in New Guinea and the Pacific

The complex of citrate rattan species that includes Calamus aruensis presents significant taxonomic challenges throughout its range. A revision of the group from New Guinea and Australia through the west Pacific to its eastern limit in Fiji is presented here. The complex is recognised by its rather broad, cucullate leaflets, by the long, robust, strictly tubular bracts on the primary inflorescence axis and by the short, funnel-shaped bracts on the first order branches. Four species are recognised here, C. aruensis, C. vitiensis and two new species, C. pachypus and C. dasyacanthus. Calamus hollrungii and C. latisectus are placed in synonymy with C. aruensis, and C. stipitatus and C. vanuatuensis with C. vitiensis.

Thermal softening of rattan canes: influence of the hemi cellulose-lignin matrix

The influence of the hemicellulose-lignin matrix of the cell wall of eight rattan species on the thermal softening of cane was evaluated using the creep compliance test. Extractive free samples were first prepared using ethanol-benzene. This was followed with the chemical analysis of the rattan cell wall using standard procedures used in wood. Results revealed that the cell wall is 42-53% alpha-cellulose, 19-27% hemicellulose and 20-40% lignin. The creep compliance test showed the softening behaviour of the samples due to the application of heat. Softening occurred from 70-85°C for extractive-free, 75-95°C for holocellulose and 100°C for alpha-cellulose samples. For the eight species, variation in the degree of thermal softening was observed. This was attributed to the differences in the proportion of hemicellulose-lignin matrix between species: the higher the volume of the matrix, the larger was the observed molecular movement. Reduction in thermal softening values from the extractive-free materials to the holocellulose and up to the alpha cellulose samples was also noticed. This is parallel to the reduction in the matrix volume because of the removal of lignin. Alpha-cellulose still exhibited some movement. Such movement can only be derived from the crystalline-amorphous region within the cellulose chain. The more crystalline the material, the smaller was the observed molecular movement.

Status of rattan-based small scale cottage industries in urban and semi-urban area of Chittagong, Bangladesh

An exploratory survey using multistage simple random sampling was conducted by repeated visit of rattan-based small scale cottage industries in urban and semi-urban areas of Chittagong district of Bangladesh during July- September, 2001. Only four species of rattans were found to be used as raw materials in the study area of which Calamus guruba was identie ed as highest in quantity being used in the industries. Entrepreneurs were found mostly dependent on homestead forests and imported rattan for raw materials. Most of the entrepreneurs were found to manage their capital from their own sources and the ownership was single. On average, 7.4 number of labourers were found per industry of which the maximum number were skilled. The manufacturing process was identie ed as totally manual and traditional. A large variety of products were found to be made of rattans. The productivity of commodities was usually sustained throughout the year in the urban area but e uctuated in the semi-urban area depending on availability of raw materials and socio- economic conditions of the people. Net monthly income per rattan-based small scale cottage industry in urban area was about double of that net income in semi-urban area. Lack of raw materials, access to national and international market, advanced technology, training facilities and e nancial supports were the important problems and limitations identie ed.

Two Unusual Calamus Species from New Guinea

Summary. The taxonomy of two rattan species with unusual inflorescence morphology is discussed. Calamus setiger (Calamoideae: Arecaceae) is reduced to synonymy with C. anomalus and a new species, C. essigii, is described. The rattan genus Calamus L. is distinguished from the five other genera in subtribe Calaminae (Calamoideae: Calameae, sensu Baker et al. 2000) by its strictly tubular, persistent primary inflorescence bracts and by the primary inflorescence branches emerging from the mouths of the bracts. By contrast, the primary bracts of other genera tend to split, usually to the base, and the primary inflorescence branches are thereby exposed or alternatively remain enclosed within the bracts. While this rule works in the vast majority of cases, there are some exceptions in the large and variable genus Calamus. One such exception is to be found in a small group of species from New Guinea in which each expanding primary branch bursts through the wall of the primary bract, splitting the bract near its base, rather than emerging from the mouth of the bract. Usually, the bract is split only at the base and remains tubular distally, but in some instances the bract may split throughout its length. Despite this unusual characteristic, the species are appropriately placed in genus Calamus as both possess a flagellum, a barbed, climbing organ representing a sterile inflorescence, a structure that occurs only in Calamus. As part of the Palms of New Guinea Project (Baker 2000), this unusual group has been revised and has been found to comprise two species, C. anomalus Burret and C. essigii W. J. Baker. The latter is described as new and C. setiger Burret is placed in synonymy with C. anomalus. The work is based on material from BM, K, L, LAE, MEL and NY. All duplicates recorded on specimen labels are listed while exclamation marks denote those duplicates seen by me. Preliminary conservation status assessments are provided following IUCN guidelines (IUCN 2001).

Calamus maturbongsii, an Unusual New Rattan Species from New Guinea

Summary. An unusual species of rattan from New Guinea, Calamus maturbongsii (Calamoideae Arecaceae), is described as new. Although some superficial similarities to other New Guinea rattan species and the West Malesian Calamus section Platyspathus are noted, the extraordinary morphology and expansion mechanism of the inflorescence together with peculiar vegetative features indicate that C. maturbongsii is a striking new species of uncertain affinities. During the course of research for the Palms of New Guinea Project, we have encountered many surprising new species, but the rattan described herein must count as one of the most extraordinary of all. Calamus maturbongsii W J. Baker J isotypus MAN). Moderately robust, clustering rattan climbing to 30 m. Stem with sheaths 16 - 22 mm diam., without sheaths to 10 - 11 mm diam.; internodes c. 48 cm. Leafecirrate, to 1 m long including petiole; sheaths with very thin, white, cobweb-like indumentum, unarmed or armed with very few, scattered, minute, easily detached, triangular spines to 1 mm; knee 13 - 22 x 16 - 21 mm, unarmed, with conspicuous ridge at the base, both ends of ridge somewhat deflexed; ocrea 3 - 5 mm, forming a low collar almost entirely encircling stem, persistent, drying woody, brittle, unarmed; flagellum to 1.7 m, with numerous grapnel spines arranged subregularly to irregularly; petiole 3 - 5 mm long, 6 - 11 x 3 - 6 mm at base, flat adaxially, rounded abaxially, unarmed; rachis with grapnel spines arranged subregularly, abaxial surface with indumentum as sheath, adaxial surface with numerous dark purple-brown scales; leaflets 7 - 12 each side of rachis, arranged regularly, lanceolate with cucullate apices, longest leaflet near leaf base 26 - 36 x 4.5 - 5 cm, the basal pair of leaflets almost as large as longest leaflets, mid-leaf leaflets 24.5 - 26 x 4.3 - 5.5 cm, apical leaflets 5.5 - 12 x 0.7 - 2 cm, apical leaflet pair not united or united to one quarter of their length, leaflets glabrous and unarmed or with exceedingly few bristles on margin or tip, transverse veinlets conspicuous. Staminate