It has been proposed - William J.Baker; A revised delimitation of the rattan genus Calamus (Arecaceae), Phytotaxa 197 (2): 139-152; 2015 - that the genera Ceratolobus, Daemonorops, Pogonotium and Retispatha should all be subsumed into a revised and expanded concept of the genus Calamus. This revised treatment has been accepted in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families' and is likely to recieve further acceptance. For the time being, until there is wider acceptance of this change, we are not moving these species across into Calamus. The new name for this species in Calamus will be Calamus melanochaetes (Blume) Miq.[].
Daemonorops melanochaetes is closely related to Daemonorops angustifolia (Griff.) Mart., of Peninsular Malaysia; and the two species are possibly not distinct[].

Common Name:

General Information

Daemonorops melanochaetes is a moderately robust, climbing, evergreen palm producing a cluster of unbranched stems that can be 30 metres tall. The stems can climb to the tops of the surrounding trees in the forest.
The plant is harvested from the wild as a local source of food and material for weaving.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Dry ground near coasts, often forming thickets. It is also found in swampy lowland rain forest and alluvial flatlands at elevations up to 20 metres[]. In Java it can be found at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	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 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[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The apical bud is eaten as a vegetable[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stem is used to make broom handles and coarse furniture[]. The stem is about 20mm in diameter one the leaf-sheaths have been removed[].
The long and slender stems of rattan 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 -

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