Calospatha

Calospatha is an extremely rare genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in peninsular Malaysia where it is referred to as Rotan demuk. Of the two species, neither are common in collections, nor have they been found in the wild for several years, leading some to conclude "they may be extinct".Riffle, Robert L. and Craft, Paul (2003) An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN-10: 0881925586 / ISBN-13: 978-0881925586 (Page 250) While not specialized for the task, these dioecious palms are noted for their climbing habit. The genus name is a combination of two Greek words meaning \'beautiful\' and \'spathe\'.

Description

Both Calospatha species are solitary-trunked and covered in leaf scars, which exude a yellow gum after leaf loss. The linear leaflets are pinnately arranged and once-folded with toothed margins. The petioles and rachises feature recurved spines which hook onto vegetation and assist them in climbing. The inflorescences in both species consist of close, overlapping bracts from which male or female flowers emerge. The bracts are armed with spines and the inflorescence resembles those in Heliconia species. The small, round fruit, regarded as a delicacy by the Temuan aboriginies, are scaly and usually contain three seeds.Uhl, Natalie W. and Dransfield, John (1987) Genera Palmarum - A classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore. Lawrence, Kansas: Allen Press. ISBN-10: ISBN-10: 0935868305 / ISBN-13: 978-0935868302

References

External links

• Calospatha on NPGS/GRIN
• GBIF record and map
• Fairchild Guide to Palms: Calospatha

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