The longest tree - White rattan tree

Fruit of white rattan tree
(Photo: hktraveler)

In tropical forests and tropical Asia, many big trees are clinging to a kind of " long whip ", which is white rattan, scientific name called Calamus tetradactylus. Hance. Normally, white clouds are 200-300m long, the longest can reach 400m, occupying the champion of length in plants.

The whole tree has small hooks. The long clouds following the wind swayed and touched the trees, and the thorns always stuck in the trees. One face climbing up high, one side grows new spines. Ordinary trees are only 100m high again, so after crawling up to the top, they will turn their heads to find climbing places until they are no bigger. Therefore, on big trees there are lots of cloud rings, creating a fancy scene.

Cloud is a vines of the Palm family (Arecaceae), the body is very small - only 4-5cm in diameter, on the top grows a bunch of feathers. New leaves grow out of place, old leaves fall off there: the climbing part comes out without leaves.

The rattan body is very tough and flexible, can be woven into products such as tables, chairs, rattan and handicrafts. Clouds are also used as a very effective poison medicine.