Swamp Rattan

Rattan that we know turns out to be a nickname for about 516 species of the Palmae family. The shape of the rattan is unique: the stem is elongated, ivory yellow when dry, and flexible so that it is easy to shape as desired. In nature the shape of rattan is thorny and grows creeping. Of the hundreds of rattan species, there are at least 40 species of rattan with high economic value.

Rattan with hundreds of species live in diverse habitats from the lowlands to the highlands. From wet land to dry land. From salty, brackish, to fresh wetlands depending on the type. Several types of swamp rattan are of high economic value so they can provide added value for people living in swampy areas.

we can call it the cane rattan Korthalsia flagellaris which is found in the Malay Peninsula, on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. It lives in lowland swamps up to a height of 50 m above sea level. The diameter is 1.5 – 3 cm with a length of 20 cm – 50 cm. When vines in nature, the length of the trunk can reach 50 m. The surface of the stem is slightly rough, brown in color, and the inner stem is brown. The stem is hard and tough, so it is a bit difficult to split. It is commonly used as a furniture frame.

Next is the economical rattan Calamus trachycoleus which grows endemic to the banks of the Barito and Kahayan rivers in Central Kalimantan. It has long been cultivated by the villagers of Dadahup and Mengkatip. Efficient rattan grows in flooded and unflooded swamps at an altitude of 0-15 meters above sea level. Stem diameter 4 – 11 mm with a segment length of 10-15 cm. The stems are quite strong but easy to split. It is used as a raw material for weaving and as a raw material for antique chairs, rattan lamps, and curtains.

Other swamp rattans are Sega ayer Calamus axillaris and Iowa rattan Plepcotniopsis geminiflorus which are adaptive to grow on peatlands. There is also the ant shrimp rattan Korthalsia scaphigera and Korthalsia echinometra meiya rattan which grows a lot on the banks of rivers and swamps in Sumatra and Kalimantan. The last is Daemonorops lemprolepis lita rattan which is able to grow in brackish and saltwater swamps. Those are 7 swamp rattans that have economic value for the swamp community.

Reference

http://balittra.litbang.pertanian.go.id/index.php/berita/trivia-rawa/1917-trivia-rawa-42-rotan-rawa