Rattan Palm
Rattan Palm, a climbing palm. There are more than 300 species of rattan palms, native mainly to southeast Asia. Rattan palms are vines that climb by attaching hooked spines on their leaves onto trees or other objects. Some produce edible fruits, and the young shoots of many species are eaten as vegetables. Chiefly, however, rattan palms are valuable for their stems, which are called rattan.
Rattan stems grow to about 600 feet (180 m) long, and from 1/8 inch (3 mm) to about 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter. They are extremely pliant, tough, and durable. In southeast Asia they are used to make mats, ropes, baskets, anchor cables, fish traps, and traps and cages for wild animals. Rattan is also used to make cane furniture, walking sticks, umbrella sticks, and carpet beaters. Split rattan is used to make chair seats.
Most rattans belong to the genus Calamus of the palm family, Palmae.