Some species can grow up to 35 meters tall and 30 centimeters in diameter. Their fast growth, quick maturity (within three to five years) and wood-like nature make certain species of bamboo an excellent material for building, and new technologies have also enabled its use as a source of paper, packaging, furniture and fabric.

Aside from its socio-economic benefits, bamboo is a key part of biodiverse ecosystems. Bamboo’s extensive root systems bind soils and raise the water table, making it an important part of anti-desertification projects around the world.

Rattans are monocotyledons with flexible stems and are generally found near water. They have a diameter of 1-5 cm and reach a length of about 30 meters after ten years of growth. In rare cases, some can grow up to 200 meters long.

About 600 species of rattan occur in the wetlands of the tropical and subtropical rainforest ecosystems of Australia, India, Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Pacific. However, Southeast Asian nations including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines are the top producers of rattan products and raw materials.

Rattan cultivation, processing and utilization constitute a major topic of interest in many parts of the world in light of the plant’s impact on poverty alleviation, securing livelihoods and foreign exchange earnings.