Diversity and distribution of palms (Arecaceae) in Assam, India Author Mehmud, Selim Author Roy, Himu text Check List 2021 2021-01-13 17 1 69 93 http://dx.doi.org/10.15560/17.1.69 journal article 10.15560/17.1.69 1809-127X Calamus gracilis Roxb. Figure 3C, D Diagnostic characters. Stems clustered, climbing, 7–10 m long, with leaf sheath 2–2.3 cm in diameter; indu- mentums brown; spines triangular, upward pointing, ca 2 mm long; flagella 2.2– 3 m long. Knee ca 2 cm long, wrinkled, spiny; ocrea ca 5 mm long, unarmed. Leaf ecirriate, 30–52 cm long; petiole 0.8–1.2 cm long. Leaf- lets grouped, opposite, 16–18 per side, ca 26 cm long and ca 3 cm wide, lanceolate to ensiform, serrated, acuminate, tip bent and facing downward, terminally paired, veins 3. Staminate inflorescence ca 90 cm long, flagella ca 6–9 cm long; rachillae alternate, flowers globose. Pis- tillate inflorescence ca 1 m long; partial inflorescence 13–17 cm long; rachillae 3–5 cm long. Fruits ellipsoid, ca 2.5 cm long, orange-red, scales in 20 vertical rows. Flowering and fruiting. May. Distribution. Cachar and Dima Hasao districts; prefer hilly areas. Vernacular names. Suli Bet (Assamese). Uses. Binding material for preparation of traditional trays locally known as “dola” and “saloni” (cane). Material examined. INDIA • Assam , Sibsagar, Kalioni; alt. 340ft ; Upendranath Kanjilal leg.; ASSAM 30961, ASSAM 40720 . • Assam , Cachar, Daulashal; 24°26′09.4″N , 092°50′35.6″E ; alt. 40 m ; 26 Mar. 2019 ; S . Mehmud leg.; CH . • Assam, Dima Hasao, Jatinga; 25°07′56″N , 093°01′17.8″E ; alt. 671m ; 12 Nov. 2019 ; S . Mehmud leg.; CH , ASSAM 96222 .