Calamus leptospadix Griff.

Mehmud, Selim & Roy, Himu, 2021, Diversity and distribution of palms (Arecaceae) in Assam, India, Check List 17 (1), pp. 69-93 : 78

Calamus leptospadix Griff.

Figure 5A, B

Diagnostic characters. Stems clustered, climbing, ca 9 m long, with leaf sheath ca 1.5 cm in diameter; spines linear ca 1–1.5 cm long; indumentums brown to grey; flagella 2 m long. Leaf ecirriate, ca 1.3 m long; petiole 30–40 cm long, with few linear spines, ca 2.5 cm long. Leaflets regular, 33–56 per side, alternate to opposite,

8–22 cm long, ca 1 cm wide, linear, serrated, acumi- nate, veins 3, and terminal leaflets free. Knee 2 cm long, smooth or spiny; ocrea divided into two parts ca 1.5 cm long, bristly. Inflorescence 2–4 m long, flagellate; rachil- lae covered by a tubular bracteole up to mid portion. Staminate partial inflorescences 12–36 cm long; rachil- lae alternate, scorpoid, 2–3 cm long; pistillate partial in- florescences 3–4 in number, 11–15 cm long, rachillae straight, 2–3 cm long, flowers dyad. Fruit globose, peri- anth explanate.

Flowering and fruiting. January to May and July to August, respectively.

Distribution. Bishwanath Chariali, Cachar, Dima Hasao, Hailakandi, West Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Lakhimpur, and Tinsukia districts; prefer dry undisturbed areas.

Vernacular names. Lejai Bet (Assamese).

Uses. As vegetable (apical branch), binding material (cane).

Material examined. INDIA • Arunachal Pradesh, Dibang Valley , Dambuk; alt. 420 m; 04 Mar. 2004; M. Bhaumik leg.; ASSAM 64972 . • 1 ♂; Assam, West Karbi Anglong , Amsoi to Amkachi Road; 26°02′51.7″N, 092° 25′20.6″E; alt. 423 m; 24 Feb. 2018; S. Mehmud leg.; CH, ASSAM 96227 . • 1 ♀; Assam , Tinsukia, Jagun; 27° 24′41″N, 095°56′16″E; 13 May 2019; S. Mehmud leg.; CH, ASSAM 96228 .