Botanical Name: Calamus rotang Linn.
Family: Palmae; Arecaceae
Names in different Indian languages
|
English |
Rotang, Rattan, Chair Bottom Cane |
|
Hindi |
Bet, bemt |
|
Kannada |
Betasu |
|
Malayalam |
Chural |
|
Sanskrit |
Vetra |
|
Tamil |
Pirambu |
|
Telugu |
Jatayurkuli |
|
Unani |
|
|
Folk |
Synonyms
Vetra, Abhrapushpa
- roxburghii Griff
Morphology
The basal section of the plant grows vertically for 10 metres or so, after which the slender, tough stem of a few centimetres in diameter, grows horizontally for 200 metres or more. It is extremely flexible and uniform in thickness, and frequently has sheaths and petioles armed with backward-facing spines which enable it to scramble over other plants. It has pinnate, alternate leaves, 60–80 cm long, armed with two rows of spines on the upper face.
The plants are dioecious, and flowers are clustered in attractive inflorescences, enclosed by spiny spathes. The edible fruits are top-shaped, covered in shiny, reddish-brown imbricate scales, and exude an astringent red resin known medicinally and commercially as "Dragon's blood".
Action & uses:
Astringent, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory,chronic fevers, piles, convulsions and cramps
Chemical constituents:
saponin
Descriptions on Ayurveda books / Nighandu:
