Morpho-anatomical and physical properties of some Rattan species of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Rattan is one of the most important non-timber forest products in India. The present study was carried out on four rattan species namely Daemonorops jenkinsiana (Griff.) Mart., Plectocomia assamica Griff., Plectocomia bractealis Becc. and Plectocomia himalayana Griff. collected from natural forests of Arunachal Pradesh. The aim of the study was to investigate the detailed morpho-anatomical and physical properties of selected species and variations in anatomical and physical properties among species. Morphologically, D. jenkinsiana had clustered and climbing stem, large flattened triangular spines, regularly arranged lanceolate leaflets whereas, all Plectocomia species differed in their spine arrangement on stem and rachis. Anatomically, conical and drop shaped lumina, Type-b vascular bundles, Type-B parenchyma were observed in D. jenkinsiana whereas, columnar epidermal cell lumina, both Type-a and Type-c vascular bundles and Type-C parenchyma were present in Plectocomia species. Vascular bundles consisting of 3 metaxylem vessels in P. bractealis, presence of bordered pit in vessels of P. assamica, presence of mucilage canal in all species except P. himalayana, tyloses in D. jenkinsiana and P. bractealis were the distinct anatomical features. The quantitative anatomical characteristics exhibited significant differences among species. Significant increase in specific gravity (except P. himalayana) and decrease in moisture content in all species (except P. himalayana and P. bractealis) along the height were observed. There was no significant variation in shrinkage property. Thus, morpho-anatomical and physical properties are species specific and can be used for identification of different rattan species.