Desmoncus orthacanthos

Botanical Description

Desmoncus orthacanthos is an unusual, elliptical leaved, evergreen climbing palm with very spiny stems and leaves. The vigorous, slender stems, which scramble into the surrounding vegetation, can be up to 20 metres long and 10 - 20mm in diameter[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ]. The plant produces clusters of stems, and can form dense thickets in clearings up to 2 metres high[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. , 771 Title A Revision of Desmoncus (Arecaceae) Publication Phytotaxa 35; 1-88 Author Henderson A. Website http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ Publisher Magnolia Press; Auckland Year 2011 ISBN 978-1-86977-839-2 Description A good description of each species with fairly detailed notes on habitat. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. It looks rather similar to the rattan palms of southeast Asia, though it is not related[ 314 Title Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia. Publication Author Website http://www.pacsoa.org.au/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website. ]. The stems are gathered from the wild for local use in making baskets, whilst the roots are used medicinally.