list of figures - Terry Sunderland

The growing point of the stem of rattans is found at a point considerably below the
apparent stem apex, enclosed by the leaf sheaths, the youngest of which form a
column at the stem apex (Tomlinson, 1990). The developing leaves represent the
“palm heart” of the rattan which is often consumed by forest dwellers and herbivores
(see Chapter 6 and Appendix 1). Damage to this delicate growing point often results
in the death of the individual stem.
Although the stem length of some rattans have been recorded as reaching up to 175m
in length (Burkill, 1935), for most African rattan species the average stem length is
between 30-50m. In this respect, Eremospatha macrocarpa & E. tessmanniana are
relatively uncommon in that individual stems of these species can attain lengths of up
to 150m.
In general, most stems of African rattans are circular in cross-section. However, the
stems of Eremospatha laurentii, in particular, are broadly triangular in cross section at
maturity. Stems of this species are difficult to bend and, as such, are not often utilised
for cane work.
1.2.3 Cane anatomy
The intrinsic property of rattan stems most affecting the cane quality is that of the
anatomy of the cane itself (Tomlinson, 1961b). Detailed studies of the anatomical
properties of rattan canes have been undertaken by Weiner and Liese (1988; 1989)
although some regional studies focussing on the Indian canes (Bhat, 1991) and some
members of the African rattan species (Weiner and Liese, 1994; Oteng-Amoako and
Ebanyele, in press) have also taken place. These studies suggest that there are
significant anatomical differences between the majority of the rattan genera and allow
the determination of desirable properties for the optimum quality of cane. In general,
Bhat et al. (1988), Bhat and Verghese (1989) suggest that the three most important
structural features that appear to determine rattan physical properties are fibre wall
thickness, the relative proportion of fibrous tissue and metaxylem vessel diameter.
Anatomical studies of three of the four (Laccosperma, Eremospatha and Calamus)
African genera have recently been undertaken in Ghana (Oteng-Amoako and
Ebanyele, in press). The initial results of the study suggest that the thickness of the
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