rattans

Rattans are climbing palms whose long, slender stems are used to make cane furniture and wickerwork. The term covers species in the palm subfamily Calamoideae, especially the true rattans in the genus Calamus and related genera such as Daemonorops, Korthalsia, and others. Rattan canes are valued for their strength, lightness, and flexibility. Rattans are palms rather than grasses; their stems form vines that climb supported trees in tropical forests.

Rattans are native to tropical forests of Africa, Asia, and Oceania, with the greatest diversity in Southeast Asia. They grow as lianas that cling to forest trees, allowing them to reach the canopy and spread through the understory as they mature. The ecology of rattans is tied to forest structure and disturbance, and harvesting practices can influence forest composition and regeneration.

Stems are long, cylindrical canes with a protective rind. When mature, they are harvested by cutting the stem near the base and peeling the outer rind. After harvest, the cane is cleaned and cured, often by sun-drying and sometimes by boiling or chemical treatments to remove sugars and pests and to improve durability for longer storage and use.

Rattan is widely used in furniture, baskets, mats, and decorative items. Because the canes are flexible and easy to bend, they form the basis of wickerwork and handcrafts. Production is concentrated in Southeast Asia, with processing hubs in China, Vietnam, and other regional economies. Sustainable harvesting and certification programs aim to reduce forest impact and encourage replanting and responsible management.

Conservation concerns include overharvesting, habitat loss, and selective logging, which threaten some rattans. Sustainable management, forest protection, and community-based approaches are important for maintaining long-term supplies.