Botanical Beads of the World (original) (raw)

Calamus spp. � Rattan palm � Arecaceae

The large genus of palms known as rattan have pliable stems that are used in constructing furniture. The genus name Calamus, derives from the Greek �calamos�, a reed, a reference to its reedy stems. Many species have a thin layer of edible pulp surrounding the seed.

Rattans are spiny climbers native to the Old World tropics. Speckled, round, pea-size seeds are used in malas (prayer beads) in India, Burma, Nepal and Tibet where they are called �lotus� seeds.