Rattan
• Rattan is a climbing or trailing vine-like palm native to the tropical jungles of Asia.
• Its strength and ease of manipulation have made it popular for wickerwork and other applications
• Its economic value can help protect forest land, by providing an alternative to loggers who forgo timber logging and harvest rattan canes instead
• It also grows much faster than most tropical wood. This makes it a potential tool in forest maintenance.
• Its strength and ease of manipulation have made it popular for wickerwork and other applications
• Its economic value can help protect forest land, by providing an alternative to loggers who forgo timber logging and harvest rattan canes instead
• It also grows much faster than most tropical wood. This makes it a potential tool in forest maintenance.
When rattan is harvested, it is cut and the dry sheathing is removed. Its stems are dried in the sun and then stored for seasoning.
The poles are straightened, graded by diameter and quality before being shipped.
Rattan's outer bark is used for caning, while its inner reed-like section is used to weave wicker furniture
As a material, rattan is lightweight, almost impervious, and is easy to move and handle. It can withstand extreme conditions of humidity and temperature, and has a natural resistance to insects.
Its light golden colour is also a major selling point, as it adds to a tropical aesthetic.
When cut into sections, rattan can be used as wood to make furniture and is a popular choice for handicraft and art pieces. Rattan accepts paints and stains like many other kinds of wood. Moreover, the inner core can be separated and worked into wicker.
Some rattan fruits are edible, with a sour taste akin to citrus.
Rattan wood is being developed in a new "wood to bone" process for the production of artificial bone.