Abstract

Based on a survey made in Kerala forests, descriptions are given of 10 species of Calamus, some of which have been reported earlier (C. gamblei, C. hookerianus, C. pseudotenuis, C. rotang, C. thwaitesii and C. travancoricus), two of which are new species (C. dransfieldii and C. vattayila), one of which is a new record (C. metzianus), and one of which is unidentified. A general account is given of the floristics, geographical distribution, habitat, nursery techniques, extraction and processing, utilization and comparative morphology of Calamus in Kerala, and of the systematics of the genus. There is a key to the species described in detail, for which information is also given on common names, etymology, distribution, phenology and stem anatomy