Common Name: Rattan Palm.

Calamus longipinna is one of the many species of climbing palms, commonly referred to as rattans. This is one of the more attractive species from New Guinea and the Solomon Islands where it is found climbing up through the rainforest canopy. This clumping species produces long, slender, cane like stems and dark green, finely pinnate leaves. The stems are armed with numerous spines, making them a poor choice for high traffic areas, but they add an extra dimension to foliage, which can not be easily achieved with other species. Rattan species form an important part of the local economies for the areas in which they grow, being used to make rattan furniture as well as baskets and other tradional crafting products. Unfortunately these species are seldom cultivated and, as such, materials are harvested from wild populations, which has put most rattan species under threat due to over exploitation. There are trials being carried out to introduce rattan species into commercial cultivation, but due to their climbing habit, cultivation requirements are somewhat unique. Ideally they could be cultivated together with other species with which they share their habitat, as there are many such species regularly used for timber production, but this does introduce other issues with regards to growth rates and harvesting. Horticulatural use is also limited, mostly only being used in public gardens, where they are usually happiest in partial shade when younger, being allowed to grow up into a canopy. Calamus longipinna is also somewhat tropical in it's requirements requiring generally warm temperatures and high humidity.