18 January 2011: The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) has released two publications that resulted from ITTO-funded projects on rattan in Asia.

The first publication, “The ASEAN Rattans,” presents information on the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), their non-timber forest products and their rattan resources. It showcases information about the rattan taxonomy, distribution, ecology and uses.

The second publication, “A Field Guide to Philippine Rattans,” is a visual guide for identification of the large variety of rattans in the Philippines. The Guide is expected to aid in the sustainable management of rattan in the Philippines, where rattan has suffered severe exploitation.

Rattan, a climbing palm, is an important source of material for the cane-furniture industry in Southeast Asia and other tropical countries. [ITTO Field Reports]