A climbing palm with long, flexible stems used for making furniture, baskets, and canes. The dried stems are woven into various household items.
From Malay 'rotan,' referring to the climbing palm plants native to tropical regions. The word entered English through Dutch colonial trade in the 17th century. The material became popular in European furniture-making due to its flexibility and durability.
Rattan is one of the fastest-growing plants on Earth, capable of growing up to a foot per day! This incredible growth rate made it invaluable for Southeast Asian communities, who developed sophisticated weaving techniques that European colonists couldn't replicate, leading to a thriving export industry.
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