Common Name:

General Information

Calamus tumidus is an evergreen, climbing palm producing a single stem that can eventually be 60 metres or more long and around 12mm in diameter near the base, increasing to 25mm in the upper parts of mature plants[].
An excellent quality stem whose quality is affected by poor processing and depends on factors such as age, moisture content and light conditions during growth. The diameter of the cane is not as regular as that of Calamus manan and it also has shorter internodes[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra)

Habitat

A very common rattan in lowland areas within its range, most commonly found in freshwater swamp forest; it has also been found in peat-swamp forest and on alluvial flats but is apparently absent from hillslopes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	40.00 m
Cultivation Status	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.
The planting distance should be 6 metres x 3 metres or variations of this[].
After about 24 months from field planting, cirri develop after which the aerial stems may grow (at rates still unknown)[].
Plantation-grown Calamus tumidus is estimated to be harvestable at year 15[].
Essentially, harvesting involves dragging the rattan from the canopy, removing dead leaf-sheaths and debris and discarding the uppermost 2 - 3 metres, which are immature and too soft for use. The leaf-sheaths and debris are usually removed by coiling and pulling the rattan stem around a conveniently placed small tree trunk, resulting in a clean stem. The cane is then cut into 3 metre lengths suitable for bundling and transport out of the forest to the processor[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

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[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Stems of larger diameter are used in furniture making while smaller-diameter canes have various uses including as parts of 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[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a fairly short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sown fresh, it germinates between 6 - 31 weeks[]. The fruit wall and the fleshy seed-coat must be removed before sowing and the clean seeds kept moist, as any drying out will cause the embryo to die. Seeds are usually sown in seed-beds in the shade and potted in polybags when the first leaf has emerged. Once potted, seedlings should be kept in the shade and provided with plenty of moisture without waterlogging. Seedlings are usually ready for planting 9 - 12 months after transplanting into bags and require tree support[].

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