Abstract: The anatomical characteristics of rattan stems of the genera Calamus,Daemonorops and Plectocomia growing in China are described. According to the characteristics and quality of the stem and the traditional trade of the commercial rattans five groups are classified for commercial rattans of China,viz.Daemonorops group(one species), Plectocomia group (two species), and the genus Calamus can be divided into three groups, small diameterxgroup (seven species), medium diameterl group(four species) and large diameter group(six species). In addition, the structural differentiation at generic level is discussed.

Key words: Rattan stem, Anatomical characteristics, Grouping of Commercial rattans