416 Species in Genus Calamus

January 21 – Calamus
“January 21 is represented by Calamus, the aromatic reed.”
Calamus embodies wisdom and serenity. You have a calm demeanor and a grounded presence that reassures and comforts those around you.

Table of Contents

Calamus: A World of Climbing Palms

My name is Ferb Vu, and I’m fascinated by the incredible diversity of the plant world. Today, I want to share my enthusiasm for a particular genus of palms – Calamus. These plants, commonly known as rattan palms, are a marvel of nature, exhibiting remarkable adaptations and playing a crucial role in their ecosystems.

What is Calamus?

Calamus is a large genus belonging to the palm family, Arecaceae. It boasts an estimated 416 species, all native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Australia. Unlike the typical image of a palm tree with a single, sturdy trunk, Calamus species are mostly climbing lianas. They have slender, reedy stems that can reach astonishing lengths, sometimes exceeding 200 meters! These stems weave their way through the forest undergrowth, clambering over other plants in their quest for sunlight.

Adaptations for Climbing

The climbing habit of Calamus is facilitated by some ingenious adaptations. Many species have evolved hooks on the underside of their leaves or leaf-like structures called pinnae. These hooks act like grappling hooks, allowing the palm to secure itself to surrounding vegetation. Some species even have modified pinnae that form tendrils, which coil around branches and provide additional support.

A Closer Look at Calamus Species

The sheer number of Calamus species is staggering. Each species has its own unique characteristics, contributing to the rich tapestry of this genus. Here are:

Calamus acamptostachys (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus acanthochlamys J.Dransf.
Calamus acanthophyllus Becc.
Calamus acanthospathus Griff.
Calamus acaulis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus adspersus Blume
Calamus aidae Fernando
Calamus albidus L.X.Guo & A.J.Hend.
Calamus altiscandens Burret
Calamus andamanicus Kurz
Calamus anomalus Burret
Calamus applanatus (A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung) A.J.Hend.
Calamus arborescens Griff.
Calamus aruensis Becc.
Calamus arugda Becc.
Calamus ashtonii J.Dransf.
Calamus asperrimus Blume
Calamus asteracanthus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus ater (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus australis Mart.
Calamus axillaris Becc.
Calamus bacularis Becc.
Calamus badius J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus baiyerensis W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus balerensis Fernando
Calamus balingensis Furtado
Calamus banggiensis (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus bankae W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus baratangensis Renuka & Vijayak.
Calamus barbatus Zipp. ex Blume
Calamus barfodii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus barisanensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus batanensis (Becc.) Baja-Lapis
Calamus beccarii A.J.Hend.
Calamus bicolor Becc.
Calamus billitonensis Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus bimanifer T.Evans, Sengdala, Viengkham, Thamm. & J.Dransf.
Calamus boniensis Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus bousigonii Pierre ex Becc.
Calamus brandisii Becc.
Calamus brevicaulis (A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung) W.J.Baker
Calamus brevissimus A.J.Hend.
Calamus brunneus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus bulubabi W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus burckianus Becc.
Calamus burkillianus Becc. ex Ridl.
Calamus caesius Blume
Calamus calapparius Mart.
Calamus calciphilus A.J.Hend.
Calamus calicarpus Griff.
Calamus calospathus (Ridl.) W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus capillosus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus carsicola Adorador & Fernando
Calamus caryotoides A.Cunn. ex Mart.
Calamus castaneus Griff.
Calamus caurinus A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus centralis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus ceratophorus Conrard
Calamus cheirophyllus J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus ciliaris Blume
Calamus cinereus A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus clivorum A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus cockburnii J.Dransf.
Calamus compsostachys Burret
Calamus comptus J.Dransf.
Calamus concinnus Mart.
Calamus concolor (Blume) W.J.Baker
Calamus confusus (Furtado) W.J.Baker
Calamus conirostris Becc.
Calamus conjugatus Furtado
Calamus conspectus W.J.Baker
Calamus convallium J.Dransf.
Calamus crassifolius J.Dransf.
Calamus crinitus (Blume) Miq.
Calamus cristatus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus croftii J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus cumingianus Becc.
Calamus cuthbertsonii Becc.
Calamus dasyacanthus W.J.Baker, Bayton, J.Dransf. & Maturb.
Calamus deerratus G.Mann & H.Wendl.
Calamus delicatulus Thwaites
Calamus densifloropsis A.J.Hend.
Calamus densiflorus Becc.
Calamus depauperatus Ridl.
Calamus dianbaiensis C.F.Wei
Calamus didymocarpus Warb. ex Becc.
Calamus diepenhorstii Miq.
Calamus digitatus Becc.
Calamus dilaceratus Becc.
Calamus dioicus Lour.
Calamus discolor Mart.
Calamus disjunctus A.J.Hend.
Calamus distentus Burret
Calamus divaricatus Becc.
Calamus divergens A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus dongnaiensis Pierre ex Becc.
Calamus dracunculus (Ridl.) W.J.Baker
Calamus dumetosus (J.Dransf.) A.J.Hend. & Floda
Calamus egregius Burret
Calamus elegans Becc. ex Ridl.
Calamus erectus Roxb.
Calamus erinaceus (Becc.) Becc.
Calamus erioacanthus Becc.
Calamus erythrocarpus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus essigii W.J.Baker
Calamus eugenei W.J.Baker
Calamus evansii A.J.Hend.
Calamus exiguus A.J.Hend.
Calamus exilis Griff.
Calamus fertilis Becc.
Calamus filipendulus Becc.
Calamus filispadix Becc.
Calamus fissilis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus flabellatus Becc.
Calamus flagellum Griff. ex Walp.
Calamus floribundus Griff.
Calamus formicarius (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus formosanus Becc.
Calamus furvus A.J.Hend.
Calamus gaharuensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus gajoensis A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus gamblei Becc.
Calamus geniculatus Griff.
Calamus gibbsianus Becc.
Calamus glaucescens (Blume) D.Dietr.
Calamus godefroyi Becc.
Calamus gonospermus Becc.
Calamus goramensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus gracilipes Miq.
Calamus gracilis Roxb.
Calamus griseus J.Dransf.
Calamus guruba Buch.-Ham. ex Mart.
Calamus hallierianus (Becc. ex K.Heyne) W.J.Baker
Calamus harmandii Pierre ex Becc.
Calamus heatubunii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus helferianus Kurz
Calamus henryanus Becc.
Calamus heteracanthopsis A.J.Hend.
Calamus heteracanthus Zipp. ex Blume
Calamus heteroideus Blume
Calamus hirsutus (Blume) Miq.
Calamus holttumii Furtado
Calamus hookerianus Becc.
Calamus horrens Blume
Calamus hosensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus hukaungensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus impressus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus inermis T.Anderson
Calamus ingens (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus inops Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus insignis Griff.
Calamus insolitus A.J.Hend.
Calamus insularis A.J.Hend.
Calamus interruptus Becc.
Calamus jacobsii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus javensis Blume
Calamus johanis A.J.Hend.
Calamus johndransfieldii W.J.Baker
Calamus johnsii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus kampucheaensis A.J.Hend. & Hourt
Calamus kandariensis Becc.
Calamus karuensis Ridl.
Calamus katikii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus kebariensis Maturb., J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus kinabaluensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus kingianus Becc.
Calamus kjellbergii Furtado
Calamus klossii Ridl.
Calamus kontumensis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus koordersianus Becc.
Calamus kostermansii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus kubahensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus kunstleri (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus lakshmanae Renuka
Calamus lambirensis J.Dransf.
Calamus lamprolepis (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus laoensis T.Evans, Sengdala, Viengkham, Thamm. & J.Dransf.
Calamus lateralis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus latifolius Roxb.
Calamus latus A.J.Hend.
Calamus lauterbachii Becc.
Calamus laxissimus Ridl.
Calamus leiocaulis Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus leloi J.Dransf.
Calamus lengguanii A.J.Hend.
Calamus leptopus Griff.
Calamus leptospadix Griff.
Calamus leptostachys Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus lobatus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus lobbianus Becc.
Calamus loherianus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus longibracteatus W.J.Baker
Calamus longipes Griff.
Calamus longipinna K.Schum. & Lauterb.
Calamus longisetus Griff.
Calamus longispatha Ridl.
Calamus longiusculus A.J.Hend.
Calamus lucysmithiae W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus macrochlamys Becc.
Calamus macropterus Miq.
Calamus macrorhynchus Burret
Calamus macrosphaerion Becc.
Calamus maculatus (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus mahanandensis S.Mondal, S.K.Basu & M.Chowdhury
Calamus maiadum J.Dransf.
Calamus malawaliensis J.Dransf.
Calamus manan Miq.
Calamus manglaensis A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus manillensis (Mart.) H.Wendl.
Calamus marginatus (Blume) Mart. ex Walp.
Calamus maturbongsii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus megaphyllus Becc.
Calamus meghalayensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus melanacanthos Mart.
Calamus melanochaetes (Blume) Miq.
Calamus melanochrous Burret
Calamus melanoloma Mart.
Calamus melanorhynchus Becc.
Calamus metzianus Schltdl.
Calamus micracanthus Griff.
Calamus micranthus Blume
Calamus microsphaerion Becc.
Calamus minahassae Warb. ex Becc.
Calamus minor A.J.Hend.
Calamus minutus J.Dransf.
Calamus mirabilis Mart.
Calamus mitis Becc.
Calamus modestus T.Evans & T.P.Anh
Calamus mogeae J.Dransf.
Calamus mollispinus (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus moorei (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus moorhousei Furtado
Calamus moseleyanus Becc.
Calamus moszkowskianus Becc.
Calamus moti F.M.Bailey
Calamus muelleri H.Wendl.
Calamus multispicatus Burret
Calamus muricatus Becc.
Calamus myriacanthus Becc.
Calamus myrianthus Becc.
Calamus nagbettai R.R.Fernandez & Dey
Calamus nanduensis W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus nannostachys Burret
Calamus nanodendron J.Dransf.
Calamus nematospadix Becc.
Calamus nicobaricus Becc.
Calamus nielsenii J.Dransf.
Calamus nitidus Mart.
Calamus notabilis A.J.Hend.
Calamus novae-georgii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus nudus W.J.Baker & S.Venter
Calamus nuichuaensis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus nuralievii A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus obiensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus oblatus (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus oblongus Reinw. ex Blume
Calamus occidentalis Witono & J.Dransf.
Calamus ochrolepis (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus ocreatus (A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung) W.J.Baker
Calamus oligostachys T.Evans, Sengdala, Viengkham, Thamm. & J.Dransf.
Calamus optimus Becc.
Calamus oresbius W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus ornatus Blume
Calamus ovoideus Thwaites ex Trimen
Calamus oxleyanus Teijsm. & Binn. ex Miq.
Calamus oxleyoides A.J.Hend.
Calamus oxycarpus Becc.
Calamus oxycoccus W.J.Baker
Calamus pachypus W.J.Baker, Bayton, J.Dransf. & Maturb.
Calamus pachystemonus Thwaites
Calamus padangensis Furtado
Calamus pahangensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus pandanosmus Furtado
Calamus papuanus Becc.
Calamus parutan Fernando
Calamus parvulus A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus paspalanthus Becc.
Calamus paulii J.Dransf.
Calamus pedicellaris (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus pedicellatus Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus penicillatus Roxb.
Calamus perakensis Becc.
Calamus peregrinus Furtado
Calamus periacanthus (Miq.) Miq.
Calamus pertenuis A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus pholidostachys J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus pilosellus Becc.
Calamus pilosissimus Becc.
Calamus pintaudii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus platyspathus Mart. ex Kunth
Calamus plicatus Blume
Calamus poensis Becc.
Calamus pogonacanthus Becc. ex H.J.P.Winkl.
Calamus pogonotium W.J.Baker
Calamus poilanei Conrard
Calamus politus (Fernando) W.J.Baker
Calamus polycladus Burret
Calamus posoanus Rustiami
Calamus powlingii A.J.Hend.
Calamus praetermissus J.Dransf.
Calamus propinquus (Becc.) A.J.Hend.
Calamus pseudoconcolor (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus pseudoerectus Sujit Mondal, S.K.Basu & M.Chowdhury
Calamus pseudomollis Becc.
Calamus pseudotenuis Becc.
Calamus pseudozebrinus Burret
Calamus psilocladus J.Dransf.
Calamus pycnocarpus (Furtado) J.Dransf.
Calamus pygmaeus Becc.
Calamus quangngaiensis A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus radiatus Thwaites
Calamus radicalis H.Wendl. & Drude
Calamus radulosus Becc.
Calamus reinwardtii Mart.
Calamus reticulatus Burret
Calamus retroflexus J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus rhabdocladus Burret
Calamus rheedei Griff.
Calamus rhomboideus Blume
Calamus rhytidomus Becc.
Calamus ridleyanus Becc.
Calamus robinsonianus Becc.
Calamus rotang L.
Calamus ruber Reinw. ex Mart.
Calamus rudentum Lour.
Calamus rugosus Becc.
Calamus rumphii Blume
Calamus ruptilis (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus ruptiloides A.J.Hend.
Calamus ruvidus Becc.
Calamus sabalensis J.Dransf.
Calamus salicifolius Becc.
Calamus saltuensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus samian Becc.
Calamus sandsii Rustiami
Calamus sarawakensis Becc.
Calamus sashae J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus scabridulus Becc.
Calamus scabrispathus Becc.
Calamus scapigerus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus schistoacanthus Blume
Calamus schlechteri (Burret) W.J.Baker
Calamus schlechterianus Becc.
Calamus scipionum Lour.
Calamus scleracanthus Becc. ex K.Heyne
Calamus sedens J.Dransf.
Calamus senalingensis J.Dransf.
Calamus septimus A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus seriatus A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus seropakensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus serpentinus (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus serrulatus Becc.
Calamus sessiliflorus A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus simplex Becc.
Calamus siphonospathus Mart. ex Walp.
Calamus smitinandii (J.Dransf.) A.J.Hend.
Calamus sordidus J.Dransf.
Calamus spanostachys W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus sparsiflorus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus spectatissimus Furtado
Calamus spiculifer J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus spinosus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus spinulinervis Becc.
Calamus spiralis A.J.Hend., N.K.Ban & N.Q.Dung
Calamus suaveolens W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus subangulatus Miq.
Calamus subsolanus A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus sulawesiensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus sumatranus (Becc.) A.J.Hend.
Calamus superciliatus W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus susukensis A.J.Hend. & Rustiami
Calamus symphysipus Mart. ex Walp.
Calamus tadulakoensis A.J.Hend., Moh.Iqbal, Rusydi & Pitopang
Calamus tambingensis A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus tapanensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus temii T.Evans
Calamus tenompokensis Furtado
Calamus tenuis Roxb.
Calamus tetradactyloides Burret
Calamus tetradactylus Hance
Calamus thwaitesii Becc.
Calamus thysanolepis Hance
Calamus timorensis Becc.
Calamus trachycoleus Becc.
Calamus trigynus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus tumidus Furtado
Calamus unifarius H.Wendl.
Calamus unijugus (J.Dransf.) W.J.Baker
Calamus ursinus (Becc.) W.J.Baker
Calamus usitatus Blanco
Calamus validus W.J.Baker
Calamus vattayila Renuka
Calamus velutinus A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus verticillaris Griff.
Calamus vestitus Becc.
Calamus vidalianus Becc.
Calamus viminalis Willd.
Calamus vinaceus A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus vinosus Becc.
Calamus viridis A.J.Hend., Pitopang & Moh.Iqbal
Calamus vitiensis Warb. ex Becc.
Calamus walkeri Hance
Calamus wanggaii W.J.Baker & J.Dransf.
Calamus warayanus Adorador & Fernando
Calamus warburgii K.Schum.
Calamus wedaensis A.J.Hend.
Calamus whitmorei J.Dransf.
Calamus wightii Griff.
Calamus womersleyi J.Dransf. & W.J.Baker
Calamus wuliangshanensis San Y.Chen, K.L.Wang & S.J.Pei
Calamus yentuensis A.J.Hend. & N.Q.Dung
Calamus zebrinus Becc.
Calamus zeylanicus Becc.
Calamus zieckii Fernando
Calamus zollingeri Becc.
Calamus zonatus Becc.

Ecological Importance

Calamus palms play a vital role in their ecosystems. Their dense growth provides habitat and shelter for a wide range of animals, including birds, insects, and mammals. The fruits of Calamus are also an important food source for many creatures. Moreover, these palms contribute to forest regeneration by helping to create gaps in the canopy, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and promoting the growth of other plants.

Human Uses

Humans have long recognized the value of Calamus. The strong, flexible canes of these palms have been used for centuries to make a variety of products, including furniture, baskets, mats, and even weapons. Rattan furniture is particularly popular due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. In addition to their practical uses, Calamus palms also have cultural significance in many communities.

Conservation Concerns

Despite their importance, many Calamus species are facing threats due to habitat loss, overexploitation, and the illegal wildlife trade. Sustainable harvesting practices and conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of these remarkable plants.

My Fascination with Calamus

I’m continually amazed by the resilience and adaptability of Calamus palms. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments, their intricate climbing mechanisms, and their contribution to both ecosystems and human societies make them a truly captivating group of plants. I believe that by understanding and appreciating these plants, we can contribute to their conservation and ensure that future generations can marvel at their beauty and utility.