The anatomy and selected physical properties of five rattan species of Ghana
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Date
2002
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Abstract
“Rattan” is a collective term commonly used for spiny climbing palms belonging to the subfamily Calanioideae of the family Palmae. In contrast to the situation in South-east Asia, knowledge of African rattans is still not sufficiently known in spite of the very important role rattans play in the local economy. Information on the anatomical structure, physical properties as well as variations between and within species is necessary for the development and efficient utilisation of rattans in Ghana. Therefore, anatomical and physical properties of naturally grown Calanius deeratus; Eremospatha hookeri; Ermospatha macrocarpa; Laccosperma acutiflorwn and Laccosperma secundiflorum sampled from Bobiri Reserve in the moist semi deciduous; Draw River Reserve in the wet evergreen; and Nueng reserve in the moist evergreen forest types of Ghana were investigated.
The investigation revealed that all five rattan species showed stem anatomy and physical properties similar to that described for South-east Asia and West-central Africa species. Analysis of variance performed on some quantitative anatomical and physical characteristics of the five species suggested that the elect of site (Bobiri, Draw and Nueng) on anatomical and physical properties were minor in comparison to effect of stem position (base, middle and top) and species. Regression of moisture content and relative density on fiber length, fiber lumen diameter, double fiber wall thickness and percentage of fiber in all the species revealed that within and between stem variations in moisture content and relative density may be attributed to variations in fiber lumen diameter, double fiber wall thickness and percentage of fibers.
Stem quality assessment on the live species based on anatomical and physical properties suggested that Eremospatha macrocarpa ranked highest and C. deeratus the lowest.
The most promising anatomical properties for identification of the live rattan species included: number of metaxylem vessels and phloern per vascular bundle; type of ground parenchyma; shape and radial length of epidermal cells. Consequently a combination of these diagnostic anatomical properties, stem colour and diameter were used to develop a tentative identification key to the five rattan species of Ghana. The identification key will have a practical value in identification of processed and semi-processed rattans and can also be helpful in trade disputes.
Among others it is recommended that other technological properties (mechanical, chemical etc.) of C. deeralus, E. hookeri, E. macrocarpa, L. acutiflorum and L. secundiflorum should be investigated with the aim of improving the stem quality and developing appropriate processing techniques to aid in diversification of their end uses. In addition the technological properties of Laccosperma laeve (Timanuhunu), which is currently not being utilized in Ghana, should be undertaken to assess its utilization potential.
Description
A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial
fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Master of Science degree.