Any of several fast-growing climbing palm species of the family Calamoideae, as well as their stems and outer skin that are commercially used for various structural and ornamental purposes. Rattan is primarily harvested in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka, as well as parts of Africa and Australia. The dense yet pliable fibres of the rattan stem offer flexibility and strength while being lightweight, making it an ideal material for structural frames for furniture, lighting, partitions, and decorative installations. The thin outer skin of the plant, known as rattan cane, is peeled and woven in various styles, such as wicker, and used for furniture, interior decoration and accessories. Indigenously used in South and Southeast Asia, rattan was widely exported to Europe during the colonial era; in the twentieth century, it became popular among Modernist designers in North America and Europe, giving rise to a style known as Tropical Deco, which fused tropical materials with minimalist aesthetics. Recent innovations explore rattan as reinforcement in non-structural concrete, expanding its architectural potential.