Korthalsia flagellaris

Korthalsia (kohr-tahl-SEE-ah) flagellaris (flah-jehl-LAHR-iss)
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Korthalsia (kohr-tahl-SEE-ah) Species: flagellaris (flah-jehl-LAHR-iss)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Wi Danan (Ib.)

Habitat and Distribution

Borneo, Malaya, Sumatera, and Thailand. Throughout the peat-swamps of Brunei at low elevations. Elsewhere throughout Borneo, Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. K. flagellaris is confined to peat swamp forest, where it is often the most conspicuous rattan. [[]]

Description

Robust clustering and branching rattan with stems climbing to 40 m or more, confined to peat swamp forest. Stems without sheaths to 2.5 cm in diam. or more, with sheaths to 4 cm or more, internodes to 30 cm, longer in juveniles. Sheath ± unarmed, dull reddish-brown, covered in caducous black scales and pale brown hairs; ocrea tightly sheathing, unarmed, covered in scales and indumentum as the sheaths, tending to split opposite the petiole. Mature leaf to 2.5 m including the cirrus to 1 m and petiole to 15 cm. Leaflets 8-20 on each side of the rachis, borne on long stalks, narrow, to 30 × 4.5 cm, dark bluish-green on the upper surface, brownish on the undersurface, with frequent bands of deciduous chocolate-coloured scales. Inflorescences to 75 cm, highly branched; rachillae numerous, to 12 × 0.7 cm, dull brown tomentose. Fruit to 20 × 12 mm, covered in 19-21 vertical rows of straw-coloured scales. Seed 12 × 9 mm; endosperm deeply ruminate. Seedling leaf entire; juvenile leaves often very large and entire with blades reaching 100 × 30 cm. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.

It is unmistakable with its robust habit, narrow leaflets that quiver in the wind and tightly sheathing, ± unarmed ocreas. (J. Dransfield, The Rattans of Brunei Darussalam. 1997)/Palmweb.

Comments and Curiosities

Etymology: Specific epihthet from the Latin, literally; Bearing a whip.

Uses: Produces a medium-sized rotan merah.