Study on the Collection and Introduction of Rattan Species

Fourty-eight species and six varieties of rattan belonging to 3 genera have been collected/introduced,in which,36 species and 5 varieties survived with a rate of 75.9%,among them,there are 30 species and 5 varieties of Calamus,5 species of Daemonorops and 1 species of Plectocomia.The results show that most of the native species have a stronger adaptability than the exotic ones collected.Most of the exotic species could not endure the low temperature and drought condition except for the species of Calamus dioicas,C.maniilensis,C.caesius and Daemonorops jenkinsiana.According to the growth performance of seedlings of different species,they could be incorporated into 3 types,viz.fast growing,sub-fast growing and slow growing,based on the bio-characteristics of flowering and fruiting,the species of rattan could be divided into 4 types,viz.long period of flowering development,short period of flowering development,long period of fruiting development and irregular period of flowering & fruiting.The species of C.tetrad actylus,D.margaritae,C.simplicifolius and C.dioicus are suitable for extending cultivaton in South China,and C.egregius,C.nambariensis var.xishuangbannanensis,C.distichus var.shangsiensis,D.jenkinsiana and C.caesius have a good potential for development in South China.