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Calamus melanochaetes (Blume) Miq.
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Daemonorops melanochaetes Blume, Calamus grandis Griff., Daemonorops grandis (Griff.) Mart., Calamus angustifolius Griff., Daemonorops angustifolia (Griff.) Mart. |
| Common Name: | Giant Devil Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Daemonorops grandis is a climbing palm, growing to 20 m long, with internodes to about 25 cm long. Sheath is greenish brown with black spines (up to 5cm long) and brown hairs. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaf blade (up to 3.5 m long) comprises of leaflets (about 30 cm long) on each side of the rachis. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence is to 40 cm long, 15 cm wide, and branched. Outermost bract is boat-shaped, densely covered with black spines and dense brown hairs. |
| Fruit | Fruit is round (up to 2.5 cm in diameter) with a short beak and covered in yellowish brown scales with dark margins when mature. Seed is almost round (about 2 cm diameter) and deeply ruminate. |
| Habitat | Found locally in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve and Central Catchment Nature Reserve. |
| Cultivation | It is propagated by seed. |
| Etymology | Greek Calamus, reed. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Semai community in West Malaysia use the rachis to make "Tangguk", a special type of basket, to preserve food, tobacco, or betel leaves and is suspended from the kitchen roof. Leaves are also used for roof thatching. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun, Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
References
| References | Ave, W. . 1988. Small-Scale Utilization of Rattan by a Semai Community in West Malaysia. . Economic Botany. 42 (1). 105-119 Baker, W.J.. 2015. A revised delimitation of the rattan genus Calamus (Arecaceae). Phytotaxa. 197 (2). 139 - 152 Dransfield, J.. 1979. A Manual of the rattans of the Malay Peninsula. Malayan Forest Records No. 29. . Kuala Lumpur: Forest Department. 270pp Loo, A.H.B., Ang, W.F., Baker, W.J., & Tan, H.T.W. . 2014. A guide to the native palms of Singapore.. Singapore: Science Centre Singapore. 176pp |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33624 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8038 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
