Common Name:

General Information

Calamus salicifolius is a sparsely spiny, evergreen, erect or climbing palm producing a cluster of slender stems, The stems can be up to 6 metres tall but are often no more than 2 metres and 6 - 8mm in diameter with internodes 5 - 23cm long[, , ]. A non-forest species, it climbs on itself if nothing else is present[].
The stems appear to be commonly collected within the plant's limited range. They are used for handicrafts, such as baskets, matting and rope, bringing a good source of income for local communities[]. The plant is grown in hedges in Cambodia[].
Although the species has a relatively restricted range, it is very common within this area and is able to exploit anthropogenic habitats. It is not currently threatened with extinction and is unlikely to become threatened in the near future. The plant is, therefore, classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Cambodia, Vietnam.

Habitat

Grasslands, scrub, roadside verges, rice field bunds, periurban wastelands, typically in floodplain areas that have seasonal shallow (occasionally deep) flooding[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Unlike most species in this genus, this species is a plant of open spaces and fully tolerant of sunlight and can grow in moist to seasonally inundated soils[]..
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

Yoiung shoots (probably the apical bud) - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[].
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[].

Fruit[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is grown in hedges[].

Other Uses

The stems are used for handicrafts, such as baskets, matting and rope[]. The flexible and durable canes are up to 4mm in diameter[].
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.

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