Rattan is the stem or trunk of a climbing palm that belongs tot he genus Calamus, meaning swamp plants. Rattan reaches lengths up to 200 meters.

There are more than 200 species, but only about a dozen are suited for furniture making. Today it forms the basis for many structural frames and designs. Rattan peel is the skin or surface layer of the rattan cane. These rattan strips are prepared by passing the canes through a machine which presses them against knives. Then they are used in its natural state, or stripped and dyed in different colours. Rattan peel is widely used for design furniture and accessories because of its versatility, strength and abundance.