Rattan
Rattan, also spelled ratan (from Malay: rotan), is the name for roughly 600 species of Old World climbing palms belonging to subfamily Calamoideae.
[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.
Because rattans are palms, they do not branch and they rarely develop new root structures upon contact of the stem with soil.
This also means juvenile rattan palms are rigid enough to remain free-standing, unlike true lianas which always need structural support, even when young.
Most commercially harvested species are pleonanthic, because hapaxanthic rattans tend to have soft piths making them unsuitable for bending.
[1] The climbing habit in palms is not restricted to Calamoideae, but has also evolved in three other evolutionary lines—tribes Cocoseae (Desmoncus with c. 7–10 species in the New World tropics) and Areceae (Dypsis scandens in Madagascar) in subfamily Arecoideae, and tribe Hyophorbeae (climbing species of the large genus Chamaedorea in Central America) in subfamily Ceroxyloideae.
[8] From the remaining rattan genera, Korthalsia, Plectocomia, Plectocomiopsis, and Myrialepis are centered in Southeast Asia with outliers eastwards and northwards;[8] and three are endemic to Africa: Laccosperma (syn.
They provide ant shelters (myrmecodomatia) like hollow spines, funnel-shaped leaves, or leaf sheath extensions (ochreae).
[1][28] Rattans are threatened with overexploitation, as harvesters are cutting stems too young and reducing their ability to resprout.
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.
Although this can mean increased rattan abundance for economic exploitation, it can also be problematic in long-term 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.
Most (70%) of the world's rattan population exists in Indonesia, distributed among the islands Borneo, Sulawesi, and Sumbawa.
[37] Traditionally, the women of the Wemale ethnic group of Seram Island, Indonesia wore rattan girdles around their waist.
[40] Rattan is the preferred natural material used to wick essential oils in aroma reed diffusers (commonly used in aromatherapy, or merely to scent closets, passageways, and rooms), because each rattan reed contains 20 or more permeable channels that wick the oil from the container up the stem and release fragrance into the air, through an evaporation diffusion process.
Due to its durability and resistance to splintering, sections of rattan can be used as canes, crooks for high-end umbrellas, or staves for martial arts.
Rattan sticks 70 cm (28 inches) long, called baston, are used in Filipino martial arts, especially Arnis/Eskrima/Kali and for the striking weapons in the Society for Creative Anachronism's full-contact "armoured combat".
They were fitted with a variety of iron spearheads and ranged from short throwing versions to heavy thrusting weapons.
Their durability and weight makes it ideal for training with complex execution of techniques as well as being a choice of weapon, even against bladed objects.
[49] Rattan can also be used to build a functional sword that delivers a non-lethal but similar impact compared to steel counterparts.
