Climbing palm

Description

Climbing palms are genera in the family Arecaceae that grow as lianas. Initially erect, the slender stems seek out trees for support and climb up into the forest canopy by means of recurved hooks and spines growing on the stem, leaves and inflorescences. In all climbing palms the leaves are pinnate and grow along the stem instead of forming a dense crown. The stems of climbing palms, more often referred to as canes, are solid in contrast to bamboo poles which are almost always hollow. The majority of climbing palms are also clumping palms [and sympodial], sending out new shoots from [below ground as suckers]. About 600 species of palms in genera have a climbing growth habit. Most noteworthy is the genus Calamus–the largest genus in the palm family with approximately 350 described species--source of nearly all commercial rattan.