Common Name:

General Information

Calamus flagellum is a spiny, evergreen, climbing palm producing a cluster of vigorous, unbranched stems that can be up to 30 metres long and 25 - 30mm in diameter, climbing into the tops of the tallest trees in the forest[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food and masticatory.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - China, Nepal, northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

Lowland or montane rain forests at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	30.00 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.
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The astringent seed is sometimes eaten as a substitute for the betel palm (Areca catechu)[].
The following notes apply to the betel palm:-
Seed - raw. The seed has mild narcotic properties, it is widely used in some areas of the tropics as a masticatory, being mixed with the leaves of a pepper plant (Piper betle), a gum and, often, lime[, ]. Betel seeds contain tannins and alkaloids - these stimulate saliva flow, accelerate heart and perspiration rates, suppress hunger and offer positive protection against intestinal worms[].

Fruit[]. This report might be referring to the use of the seed[]. The yellowish or brownish, ovoid fruit is 27 - 30mm long and 18 - 22mm wide with grooved scales[].

Apical bud[].
Although we have no further 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

Although the stems are long and flexible, they are seldom used for basketry etc because they are too soft[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a fairly short viability and is best sown as soon as it is ripe.

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