Rattan

Rattan refers to the long, flexible stems of tropical climbing palms, primarily in the subfamily Calamoideae of the palm family Arecaceae. The term covers several genera, especially Calamus and Daemonorops, whose woody vines can grow many meters long. Rattan is harvested for the cane, the hollow, fiber-reinforced stems used in furniture and handicrafts. Unlike bamboo, which is a grass, rattan is a palm whose stems can be bent and woven when the outer rind is removed and the inner core is cured.

Rattan grows in the understory and forest edges of tropical regions, notably in Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines) and parts of Africa and Australasia. It forms climbing vines that use other trees for support. Growth is relatively slow; harvested canes are stripped of outer bark, dried, and sometimes steamed to improve strength.

The cured cane is used to make furniture, baskets, mats, and handicrafts. It is valued for its light weight, strength, and flexibility, which allows bending into curved furniture frames. Processed rattan can be natural or stained and finished.

Rattan is a renewable resource when harvested responsibly, but overharvesting and forest clearance threaten sourcing areas. Major producers include Indonesia and Malaysia, with processing hubs in China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. International trade is regulated by various certification schemes to promote sustainable harvesting and forest conservation.