Myrialepis paradoxaKertong Rattan A vigorous, very large climbing palm with clustering stems, formidably armed with long, golden spines, about the diameter of a slender arm and reaching an incredible 45 m (150 ft.) in length. The large, flat, spreading leaves form an elongated crown. Each stem flowers only once and dies after the fruits have matured. Myrialepis is widespread from Indo-China to Sumatra and grows in lowland and montane rainforests to 1600 m (5200 ft.) elevation, where it prefers slightly more open or disturbed sites such as landslips, river banks or clearings. |