list of figures - Terry Sunderland

Aerial roots are commonly encountered in the Calamoid palms in particular e.g.
Pigafetta, Daemonorops and Korthalsia (Dransfield pers. comm). The slender
inflorescences of Calamus pygmaeus Becc., an acaulescent species of rattan, arch out
between the leaves, and from their apices sprout new vegetative shoots that, on
contact with the soil, develop into new shoots. A relatively uncommon species of
Eremospatha in Africa, E. tessmanniana produces conspicuous aerial roots at the
point of aerial branching. These roots persist until such time as the stem falls to the
floor and they are able to anchor themselves and allow the shoot to then develop
(author pers. obs.).
A recent study of the root anatomy of some Calamoid genera, whilst limited in its
scope, has identified distinct relationships based on root anatomy within the subfamily
(Seubert, 1996). Of particular significance is the fact that the genus
Eremospatha is, in this respect, closely related to the Asian genera Calamus,
Calospatha, Daemonorops and Ceratolobus. These genera possess velamen cells that
are unequally thickened, isodiametric endodermis cells, with thicker cell walls
throughout, with frequent mucilage cells that are invariably surrounded by fibres.
Further study of the root anatomy of the other African taxa might shed light on the
wider relationships between Eremospatha and the other African genera, Laccosperma
and Oncocalamus, and might also provide further insights into their relationships with
the other members of the Calamoideae.
1.2.5 Rattan leaves
Rattan leaves are produced spirally sequentially at the apex of the stem. They consist
of a tubular leaf sheath which arises directly from the node on the stem (Corner,
1966). At its apex, the sheath narrows into a petiole that continues into the rachis or
portion of the leaf bearing leaflets. In some cases the petiole is absent and the leaf is
sessile. In many species within the Calamoideae, the rachis is extended beyond the
terminal leaflets to form a barbed whip, or cirrus; the principal means of climbing for
the species in which it is present.
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