Common Name:

General Information

Calamus manillensis is a spiny, evergreen, climbing palm with a solitary very vigorous, unbranched stem that can climb high into the surrounding trees. The stems are around 30 - 50mm in diameter[, , ].
The stems are often harvested from the wild, mainly for local use. Considered inferior to some other local species, such as Calamus merrillii, they are mainly used as a tying material[]. The fruits are also harvested for local use and considered to be a delicacy[]. They have become more popular and more widely used since the mid 20th century and are now cultivated in parts of the Philippines and sold in various city markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeast Asia - Philippines

Habitat

Dense primary forest at elevations from 600 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	40.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. Leaves of young plants are normally damaged if exposed to too much light, though leaves of older plants will usually tolerate full sun. In general, plants are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with enough gap in the canopy to encourage their stems to grow up towards the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil[]. Many of the species require fairly moist conditions for good growth, in fact several of them grow in wet soils or in areas with seasonal inundation - where we have the information it will be included under the plant’s habitat.
Overhead shade should be manipulated at about 6-monthly intervals for the first 2 - 3 years of a young plant’s life to ensure they receive sufficient light to grow vigorously. About 40 - 50% light penetration is generally considered to be ideal for promoting stem growth.
Little care is needed once the seedlings are established. It is important, however, to weed the area surrounding the seedlings occasionally until the plants are more than 2 metres tall.
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or preserved[, ]. Considered a delicacy[]. They are used as condiment, processed into wine, vinegar and sour flavourings[]. The pulp or the sarcotesta is extracted and cooked with sugar to make candies. Whole fruits are also pickled in vinegar, sometimes in brine[]. The yellowish, globose fruit is around 15mm in diameter[].

Although we have no specific information for this species, many members of this genus have potentially edible young shoots. Indeed, in Laos the shoots are considered to be a delicacy and over half the species growing there are said to be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The top 100cm of the plant is used. If the leaf sheaths are left in place until just before cooking then the shoot will remain fresh for up to one week[].

The basal loops of the stem on the wet ground partially covered with old humus can always be depended on to contain a sufficient quantity of water to satisfy the parched mountaineer. That portion of the same stem hanging above ground contains much less water. Sections of the stem from one to five yards long are slantingly cut and tilted up so as to allow the flow to be received into one's mouth. The most and best flow comes from a long stick, and for the sake of convenience, the upper end of which should be placed up against a tree. Its clear water usually has a trifle sweet taste and leaves no bad effect[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are considered to be of inferior quality compared to those of Calamus merrillii; they are used for tying and other purposes but not for furniture[].
The long and slender stems of Calamus species 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 fruit scales are flattened, dried and used for creative effects and accents for bamboo vases, pencil holders
and ash trays[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a fairly short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe. A traditional method is to shallowly bury the seeds, pile dried leaves on top and quickly burn the dried leaves. The heat enhances early seed germination[].

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