ANATOMICAL STRUCTURES AND DIFFERENCES OF RATTAN GENERA FROM SOUTHEAST ASIA

Abstract

The anatomical structure of the rattan stem is presented. A detailed investigation of 53 species of the genera Calamus, Daemonorops and Korthalsia from Malaysia, Indonesia as well as the Philippines reveal characteristic differences. All genera investigated show the same general differentiation of the stem into peripheral and central corpus. Main structural features are the epidermis, parenchyma cells in the peripheral zone, and in the central corpus as well as the composition of the vascular bundles. Special structural features are represented by the "yellow cap", "ducts", and Si02- particles. Of diagnostic significance are the composition and arrangement of the vascular bundles, the peripheral parenchyma, and the morphological pattern of the parenchyma tissue.