What is a rattan plant?
Unlike bamboo, which grows almost like a tree, rattan is a creeping plant that closely resembles the stem of a rose. It grows from the forest floor, using the trees to climb upward, and is typically harvested by the rattan farmers when it is years old. Rattan grows in a forest “garden.”
What plant does rattan come from?
Where does rattan come from? A close, fast-growing relative of the palm family, rattan is indigenous to tropical parts of Australia, Asia, and Africa. It grows from the forest floor, scaling fruit, cedar and rubber trees, and is harvested and processed by farmers. There are about 600 species in total.
What is rattan product?
Rattan is a family of climbing palms found in tropical regions, and is used for a variety purposes, including the making of furniture and handicrafts, and as building materials. The name “rattan” refers to the stem of the climbing palm, and is believed to have originated from the Malay word “rotan”, meaning “to pare”.
What is rattan also called as?
Rattan were also historically known as Malacca cane or Manila cane, based on their trade origins, as well as numerous other trade names for individual species.
Where is rattan found?
The greatest diversity of rattan palm species and genera are in the closed-canopy old-growth tropical forests of Southeast Asia, though they can also be found in other parts of tropical Asia and Africa. Most rattan palms are ecologically considered lianas due to their climbing habits, unlike other palm species.
What does rattan look like?
Rattan is a liana, a wood-like vine with flexible stems. It looks like bamboo but it is solid, while bamboo is hollow in the middle. Like wood, rattan can be painted or stained, which has made it a go-to material for making furniture and other home goods.
What is real rattan?
Real rattan is the actual wood and material from a genuine rattan vine. However, it’s rare to come across real rattan here in the UK (at least for outdoor furniture), because of its properties in inclement weather.