**Rattan**, also spelled **ratan** (from Malay: _rotan_), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae. The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the closed- canopy "Canopy (biology)") old-growth tropical forests of Southeast Asia, though they can also be found in other parts of tropical Asia and Africa.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-dransfield-1)[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Campbell2017-2) Most rattan palms are ecologically considered lianas due to their climbing habits, unlike other palm species. A few species also have tree-like or shrub-like habits.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Campbell2017-2) Around 20% of rattan palm species are economically important and are traditionally used in Southeast Asia in producing wickerwork furniture, baskets, canes, woven mats, cordage, and other handicrafts. Rattan canes are one of the world's most valuable non-timber forest products. Some species of rattan also have edible scaly fruit and heart of palm. Despite increasing attempts in the last 30 years at commercial cultivation, almost all rattan products still come from wild-harvested plants. Rattan supplies are now rapidly threatened due to deforestation and overexploitation.[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-3)[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Stiegel-4) Rattan were also historically known as **Manila cane** or **Malacca cane**, based on their trade origins, as well as numerous other trade names for individual species.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-5)[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Meicherczyk-6) ## Description \ [edit\] [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rattan_Palm_(Calamus_rotang)_with_fruits_(7844049166).jpg) Close-up of the edible scaly fruits and the spiny stem of _Calamus rotang_ in Thailand Most rattan palms are classified ecologically as lianas because most mature rattan palms have a vine-like habit, scrambling through and over other vegetation. However, they are different from true woody lianas in several ways. Because rattans are palms, they do not branch and they rarely develop new root structures upon contact of the stem with soil. They are monocots, and thus, do not exhibit secondary growth. This means the diameter of the rattan stem is always constant: juvenile rattan palms have the same width as when adult, usually around 2–5 centimetres (3⁄4–2 inches) in diameter, with long internodes between the leaves. This also means juvenile rattan palms are rigid enough to remain free-standing, unlike true lianas which always need structural support, even when young. Many rattans also have spines which act as hooks to aid climbing over other plants, and to deter herbivores. The spines also give rattans the ability to climb wide-diameter trees, unlike other vines which use tendrils or twining which can only climb narrower supports.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Campbell2017-2)[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-dransfield-1) Rattans have been known to grow up to hundreds of metres long. [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sulawesi_trsr_ph20.jpg) Base of a clustering rattan palm in Sulawesi, Indonesia A few species of rattans are non-climbing. These range from free-standing tree-like species (like _Calamus dumetosa")_) to acaulescent shrub-like species with short subterranean stems (like _Calamus pygmaeus_).[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Dransfield1980-7) Rattans can also be solitary (single-stemmed), clustering (clump-forming), or both. Solitary rattan species grow into a single stem. Clustering rattan, on the other hand, develop clumps of up to 50 stems via suckers "Sucker (botany)"), similar to bamboo and bananas. These clusters can produce new stems continually as individual stems die. The impact of harvesting is much greater in solitary species, since the whole plant dies when harvested. An example of a commercially important single-stemmed species is _Calamus manan_. Clustering species, on the other hand, have more potential to become sustainable if the rate of harvesting does not exceed the rate of stem replacement via vegetative reproduction.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-dransfield-1) Rattans display two types of flowering: hapaxanthy and pleonanthy. All the species of the genera _Korthalsia_, _Laccosperma_, _Plectocomia_, _Plectocomiopsis_, and _Myrialepis_ are hapaxanthic; as well as a few species of _Calamus "Calamus (palm)")_. This means they only flower and fruit once then die. All other rattan species are pleonanthic, being able to flower and fruit continually. Most commercially harvested species are pleonanthic, because hapaxanthic rattans tend to have soft piths making them unsuitable for bending.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-dransfield-1) ## Conservation \ [edit\] [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USAID_Measuring_Impact_Conservation_Enterprise_Retrospective_(Philippines;_Nagkakaisang_Tribu_ng_Palawan)_(39395439285).jpg) Rattan (center) in an old-growth forest in Palawan, Philippines Rattans are threatened with overexploitation, as harvesters are cutting stems too young and reducing their ability to resprout.[\[29\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-29) Unsustainable harvesting of rattan can lead to forest degradation, affecting overall forest ecosystem services. Processing can also be polluting. The use of toxic chemicals and petrol in the processing of rattan affects soil, air and water resources, and also ultimately people's health. Meanwhile, the conventional method of rattan production is threatening the plant's long-term supply, and the income of workers.[\[30\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-30) Rattans also exhibit rapid population growths in disturbed forest edges due to higher light availability than in the closed- canopy "Canopy (biology)") old-growth tropical forests. Although this can mean increased rattan abundance for economic exploitation, it can also be problematic in long-term conservation efforts.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-Campbell2017-2) Rattan harvesting from the wild in most rattan-producing countries requires permits. These include the Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Laos, Ghana, and Cameroon. In addition, the Philippines also imposes an annual allowable cut in an effort to conserve rattan resources. Rattan cultivation (both monoculture and intercropping) is also being researched and pioneered in some countries, though it is still a young industry and only constitutes a minority of the rattan resources harvested annually.[\[31\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan?utm_source=chatgpt.com#cite_note-dransfield2-31) ## Uses \ [edit\] [](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USAID_Measuring_Impact_Conservation_Enterprise_Retrospective_(Philippines;_Nagkakaisang_Tribu_ng_Palawan)_(39395623355).jpg) Wild-harvested rattan canes being treated and dried in Palawan, Philippines[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:USAID_Measuring_Impact_Conservation_Enterprise_Retrospective_(Philippines;_Nagkakaisang_Tribu_ng_Palawan)_(39395668055).jpg) Worker harvesting rattan from an old-growth forest in the Philippines In forests where rattan grows, its economic value can play a crucial role in conservation efforts. By offering an alternative source of income, rattan harvesting can deter loggers from engaging in timber logging. Harvesting rattan canes is simpler and requires less sophisticated tools compared to logging operations. Furthermore, rattan grows rapidly, which facilitates quicker replenishment compared to tropical wood species.This economic incentive supports forest maintenance by providing a profitable crop that complements rather than competes with trees. However, the long-term profitability and utility of rattan compared to other alternatives remain subjects of ongoing evaluation and study.\ _[citation needed_\] Cleaned rattan stems with the leaf sheaths removed are superficially similar to bamboo. Unlike bamboo, rattan stems are not hollow. Most (70%) of the world's rattan population exists in Indonesia, distributed among the islands Borneo, Sulawesi, and Sumbawa. The rest of the world's supply comes from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Assam, India. \ _[citation needed_\]