The closely related species, Calamus tumidus differs in its smaller size, different leaf-sheath armature and the very large bulbous swollen knee[].

Common Name: Rotan Manau

General Information

Rotan manau is a spiny, climbing, evergreen palm producing a single, very vigorous, unbranched stem that can eventually reach a length of over 100 metres and up to 80mm in diameter[, ].
The plant has long been exploited by local people for its stems, which have a variety of uses[]. More recently, it has come to be considered the best cane for furniture making and is now widely exploited commercially from the wild, having become the most sought after species with large diameter canes[].
Due to overexploitation, this species is facing depletion, and several large-diameter species that produce canes of similar appearance and lower quality are now used as substitutes[]. Experiments with growing rotan manau in plantations in order to save wild stock are now taking place[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Malaysia through to Indonesia and Borneo.

Habitat

Usually confined to hill dipterocarp forest, it is rarely found in lowland dipterocarp forest, and then mainly near steep slopes[]. It is most abundant at elevations between 600 - 1,000 metres, with a total range between 50 - 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	60.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Most species in this genus are more or less vigorous climbing plants in rainforests. In general, they are likely to grow best with their roots in the shade but with their stems able to grow up to the light. They are also likely to grow best in a humus-rich soil[].
About 24 months after field planting, the cirri develop, after which the aerial stems may grow at rates between 1 - 3 metres or more per year[].
Flowering may begin in the fifth year after planting and is annual thereafter[]
Seedlings are produced abundantly in hill forests[].
A period of 15 years is estimated for plantation-grown plants to reach harvestable state[]
Harvesting of the stems 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

The very acid integument of the seed is eaten[].
The fruit pulp is eaten, being white, acidulous and refreshing[].

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

The stems are used for making furniture[]. This species is said to produce the best quality large-diameter cane in the genus, and it is much sought after for making furniture[].
The cane is variable in size and colouration. It is durable, has great strength and flexibility and is used mainly as the framework 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 - needs to be sown as soon as possible since it has a very short viability. 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. They germinate in 3 - 15 weeks[]. They are 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[]. Seedlings require about 50% relative light intensity for establishment and growth[].
Seed stored will not tolerate temperatures below 10 °C for periods exceeding 2 months and seed moisture content needs to be about 50%; whole fresh fruits can be stored up to 2 weeks in well ventilated conditions at 22-28 °C without appreciable loss of viability[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: subtract 1 from 12