Calamus floribundus Griff.

Mehmud, Selim & Roy, Himu, 2021, Diversity and distribution of palms (Arecaceae) in Assam, India, Check List 17 (1), pp. 69-93 : 74-76

Calamus floribundus Griff.

Figure 3A, B

Diagnostic characters. Stems clustered, climbing, ca 5 m long; with leaf sheath ca 1.5–2 cm in diameter; spines black brown, linear, 1–3 cm long; flagella ca 2 m long. Knee ca 2 cm long, green, spiny; ocrea spiny or bristly, ca 6 mm long. Leaf pinnate, ecirriate, ca 1.5 m long; leaf- lets 10–17 per side, 20–41 cm long and 2.5–5 cm wide, alternate to opposite, single or in groups, obovate to lanceolate, serrated, acute, veins 3, terminally connate. Staminate inflorescence 1.5–2 m long; flagella 0.8–0.9 m long; partial inflorescences 10–22 cm long; rachillae 2–5

cm long. Pistillate inflorescence 2–3.5 m long; flagella 1.5–2 m long; partial inflorescences 18 cm long; rachil- lae alternate, 5–7 cm long with dyad. Fruits globose to el- lipsoid, ca 1.3 cm long, green, scales in 15 vertical rows, grooved.

Flowering and fruiting. December to April, May to June respectively.

Distribution. Common; in waterlogged open areas.

Vernacular names. Lejai (Assamese); Pani or Tenga Bet (Rabha).

Uses. As binding material (cane), masticator (fruits).

Material examined. INDIA • Arunachal Pradesh, Namdapha, Miao Forest ; 11 Jun. 1982; J. Joseph leg.; AS- SAM 66478 . • Assam, Khasi & Jaintia Hill, Cherapunjee to Mawmluh ; 27 Sep. 1950; G. Panigrahi leg.; CAL . • 1♂; Assam, West Karbi Anglong, Amsoi ; 26°07′01.9″N, 092°26′25.4″E; alt. 126 m; 24 Feb. 2018; S. Mehmud leg.; ASSAM 96221 . • 1♀; Assam, West Karbi Anglong, Nelie Umapanai Khenduli Tapat Road ; 26°02′24.9″N, 092°16′2.9″E; alt. 74 m; 30 Mar. 2018; S. Mehmud leg.; CH, ASSAM 96220 . • 1♂; Assam, Cachar, Daulashal ; 24°26′16.5″N, 092°49′20.8″E; alt. 03 m; 15 Nov. 2018; S. Mehmud leg.; CH .