Volume 11 > Part 3 > Year 2013 > Page 480 > Arecaceae > Plectocomiopsis

1. Plectocomiopsis geminiflora (Griff.) Becc.wfo-0000275185

in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 6: 479. 1893; Evans et al., A Field Guide to the Rattans of Lao PDR: 74. 2001; Evans et al., Kew Bull. 57: 65. 2002.— Calamus geminiflorus Griff., Palms Brit. E. India: 70. 1850.— Plectocomia geminiflora (Griff.) H.Wendl. in Kerch., Palmiers: 254. 1878. Fig. 24.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Clustering, moderate to robust rattan, forming rather dense thickets. Stems to 30 m or more, without sheaths to 3 cm diam., with sheaths to 6 cm diam., but usually more slender, internodes to 40 cm, shorter in exposed stems. Leaves cirrate; sheaths generally dull green with persistent grey tomentum and scattered caducous reddish-brown scales, and abundant scattered golden-yellow spines to 0.8 cm long, the spines sometimes absent on the sheaths subtending the inflorescences; ocrea irregular, oblique, fibrous and tattering; petiole absent in adult stems; rachis to 2 m long; cirrus to 1 m; leaflets ca 30 on each side of the rachis, regularly arranged, the largest to 40 by 4 cm, bright shining green, concolorous, with short bristles along the margins, the mid nerve on the upper surface usually with conspicuous golden bristles to 1.5 cm. Inflorescences up to 15 produced simultaneously, the male with more slender branches than the female, to 40 cm, with curving branches to 30 cm bearing clusters of flowers. Ripe fruit oblate, to 2.5 by 3 cm, covered in up to 42 vertical rows of pale greenish to chestnut brown scales. Seed ca 2 by 2 cm; endosperm homogeneous. Seedling leaf bifid.

Thailand : SOUTH-WESTERN: Phetchaburi; PENINSULAR: Ranong, Surat Thani, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Yala.

Distribution : Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia (type), Singapore, Borneo, Sumatra.

Ecology : Local in mixed dipterocarp forests, usually in light gaps.

Vernacular : Wai kung nam phrai (หวายกุ้งน้ำพราย)(Trang); wai khi re (หวายขี้เหร่)(Surat Thani); wai daeng (หวายแดง)(Peninsular).

Uses: The cabbage, although bitter, is highly esteemed in Borneo where it is sometimes sold in village markets. The red cane seems only to be used for coarse basket-ware and cordage.

Conservation Status: Not threatened.

Notes: The clustering habit, moderate to robust size, absence of knee and the conspicuous long bristles on the upper surface of the main vein of the leaflets make this a very easily distinguished species. Material from Vietnam and Laos previously identified as this species has recently been shown to belong to a distinct species, Plectocomiopsis songthanhensis A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung that differs in the absence of bristles on the upper surface of the leaflets and the glabrous flowers.