Under the common name of 'rattan palm' are hidden many tropical species of climbing palms with strong development. These amazing plants are used in many fields by the natives. Discovery...
Rattan palm, who are you?
Several species of palm trees are grouped under the term 'Rattan Palm'. From the Arecaceae family, these climbing palms grow in tropical areas, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa.
In Malaysia, they are very common, the word 'rattan' would come from the Malay 'rotang'. Among the genera, we find Calamus, from the Greek 'calamos' which means 'bamboo' in reference to the very fine stipes and Daemonorops. These genera are divided into many species of plants with very fine stipes, flexible like lianas.
The stipe is never very thick although it can reach 18 cm in diameter on some species, but it is very long and equipped with fine prickles that help it to attach itself to the surrounding trees, allowing it to climb happily up to 200 meters in length.
Rattan palms are clumping, which means that they often form a clump at their base. There are however solitary subjects.
The pinnate leaves, 60 to 80 cm long, are also armed with hooks or spines, sometimes even flagella with a hook at the end, allowing them to cling to the surrounding plants to reach the light. Red, yellow or orange fruits follow a white flowering in clusters.
Rattan palm in local crafts
In the countries where the rattan palm grows, it is exploited from the 8th year following its plantation and this, over a period of about 30 years. Harvesting is generally done after fruiting, with many precautions and specific clothing to avoid injury on the various hooks and spines of the plant.
The stipes are then sectioned in sections of 5 to 10 m then rid of their spines and their leaves to be then conditioned.
The pith will be used for fine basketry, while the strips removed from the peripheral part of the stipe will be used to make coarser objects.
Locally, fishnets and traps are made with rattan fibers, but also crossbows, baskets or small handicrafts, both utilitarian and decorative.
Rattan is also used to cane chairs and of course to make furniture that will find its place in our verandas or in the garden.
