Gigantochloa atroviolacea

Gigantochloa atroviolacea, also known as Java Black Bamboo or Tropical Black Bamboo, is a dense
tropical clumping bamboo native to Java, Indonesia. This bamboo species prefers to grow in dry
areas where the purplish black color of its culms becomes more prominent.
Height 8 - 12 m
Diameter 6 - 8 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumper
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -2°C
Origin Indonesia
Culms: Medium size tufted woody bamboo with 8-12 m tall culms and an average diameter of 6-
8 cm at the base. The culm internodes are fairly thick-walled (5-8 mm) and on average 30–50 cm
long. Culms are dark green when young and turn purplish-black when mature with
whitish nodes. The lower part of the culms develop aerial roots from the nodes.

Branches: Many clustered branches at the nodes with 1 larger dominant branch.

Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped and are on average 20-30 cm long and 2-5 cm broad.

Habitat: Gigantochloa atroviolacea prefers to grow in dry areas on limestone rich soil. The
purplish black color of the culms is more prominent when it grows in dry areas. This species can
be propagated vegetatively by rhizome or culm cuttings. Recommended planting distance in the
field is 8 x 7 m.

Uses: The poles are used for any sort of construction and excellent for decorative purposes and
furniture making. It is a very desirable bamboo for making traditional musical instruments,
handicrafts and fencing panels.
Gigantochloa apus

Gigantochloa apus, also known as String Bamboo or Pring Tali, is a dense tropical clumping
bamboo native to Southeast Asia. It is the most economically important bamboo in Java,
especially in the handicraft and furniture industry.
Height 8 - 22 m
Diameter 4 - 13 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumper
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -2°C
Origin Southeast Asia
Culms: Strongly tufted woody bamboo with erect drooping culms that can reach between 8-22
m in height. The culms are bright green or yellowish-green when young, with an average
diameter between 4-13 cm and a wall thickness between 6-13 mm.

Branches: Many clustered branches at the nodes with 1 larger dominant branch.

Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped and on average 10-15 cm long and between 1.5-2 cm broad.

Habitat: This bamboo species grows well either on sandy soil or clay soil. It grows on lowlands
along river banks or on hill slopes in moist evergreen forests up to 1500 m above sea level.

Uses: Gigantochloa apus is the most economically important bamboo in Java, especially in the
handicraft and furniture industry. The poles are used extensively as building materials to
construct roofing, scaffolding, bridges, walls, fences, etc. In Indonesia this bamboo is called
Bambu Tali ('Tali' means String) because it is an excellent resource to make strong strips with
the suppleness of leather.
Bambusa lako
Bambusa lako also known as Timor Black Bamboo, is a tropical clumping bamboo native to
Indonesia. This bamboo species is easily recognised by its striking shiny black culms and is often
used for ornamental and landscaping purposes. Bambusa lako is closely related to thye species
Gigantochloa atroviolacea from which it was separated in 1997.

Height 12 - 15 m
Diameter 3 - 8 cm
Growth Habit Clumping
Climate Tropical – Subtropical
Hardiness -4°C
Origin Indonesia
Culms: The thick walled woody culms of Bambusa lako have an average diameter between 3-8
cm, and are between 12-15 m tall (although culms can grow up to 21 m under optimal climate
and soil condition). Young internodes are initially green but turn shiny black at maturity with
some thin green and sometimes yellow striping. The internodes are on average between 23-35
cm long.

Branches: Nodes contain a central dominant branch with several smaller branches.

Leaves: The leaves of Bambusa lako are long, narrow and bright green between 14–25 cm long,
and 24–32 mm wide.

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical climate.

Uses: Ornamental and landscaping.

Origin: Bambusa lako is native to Southeast Asia; Indonesia and possibly Malaysia.
Bambusa bambos
Bambusa bambos also known as Giant Thorny Bamboo or Indian Thorny Bamboo, is a species of
tropical dense clumping bamboo native to Southeast Asia. This bamboo species was previously
named Bambusa arundinacea and is often used for construction purposes.

Height 20 - 30 m
Diameter 10 - 18 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumping
Climate Tropical – Subtropical
Hardiness -1°C
Origin Southeast Asia
Culms: The fast growing, strong woody culms of Bambusa bambos have an average diameter
between 10-18 cm, and are between 20-30 m tall (although the tallest recorded culm measured
40 m). The internodes are dark green colored with very thick walls. Nodes are slightly swollen
and some lower nodes produce short aerial roots.

Branches: Nodes contain a central dominant branch with one or two lateral branches and are
often spine-like. Thorny lower branches are long and wiry, and usually bent towards the ground.
The upper leafy branches produce a fan like plume and bearing small spines.

Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped with a long-pointed tip. They measure between 15-30 cm long
and 8-15 mm broad, with about 10 leaves in each complement.

Seeds: This bamboo species may flower every 30-50 years. Gregarious floweringwas last
reported in the early 90's (1991-1995) where single clumps gave about 50-100 kg of seeds (70,000
to 85,000 seeds per kilogram). Bambusa bambos seeds are generally viable for a period of 6-8
months.

Habitat: Bambusa bambos prefers a humid tropical climate and grows best along river banks or
river valleys with a rich, moist soil. It reaches its best development in moist deciduous forests up
to an altitude of 1,250 m and receiving nearly 2,000-2,500 mm rainfall a year. In flat alluvial soil,
the culms are reported to attain a height of 25-30 m and a diameter of 20-25 cm.

Uses: Culms are used for house construction, scaffolding, rafters, thatching and roofing,
handicrafts and art objects, basket making, bows and arrows, furniture, floating timber and
rafting, cooking utensils and fencing. The raw material of this bamboo is also an important source
for paper pulp and panel products. Shoots and seeds are edible and leaves are used as fodder
and medicine.

Mechanical properties: Fiber stress varies between 18.3-26.5 N/mm2, modulus of rupture is 35-
39.3 N/mm2, modulus of elasticity 1.5-4.4 kN/mm2 and maximum crushing stress is 39.1-47
N/mm2.

Bambusa blumeana

Bambusa blumeana, also known as Spiny Bamboo or Thorny Bamboo, is a tropical clumping
bamboo native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Shoots from this bamboo species are edible and
consumed as a vegetable.

Height 15 - 25 m
Diameter 8 - 15 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumping
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -1°C
Origin Indonesia - Malaysia
Culms: Bambusa blumeana is a thorny bamboo with slightly arching green culms of 15-25 m
tall. The internodes are 25-35 cm long, with 8-15 cm in diameter and an average wall thickness
of 2-3 cm. At the base of the culms, wall thickness is mostly solid, especially in dry areas or poor
soils. Lower culm nodes show a ring of aerial roots, with a gray or brown ring below and above
the sheath scar.

Branches: Branches usually occur from the middle of the culm to the top, and have several to
many clustered branches with 1-3 larger dominant branches that are markedly longer and
thicker. Branches from the lower nodes are solitaire and densely interwoven with tough, sharp,
curved thorns.
Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped and on average 10-20 cm long and 12-25 mm wide.

Habitat: This bamboo species grows in humid or dry tropical areas along river banks, hill slopes,
and freshwater creeks. It often occurs at low or moderate altitudes, usually up to 300 m (in
Taiwan up to 1,000 m). On heavy or poor soils Bambusa blumeana develops near solid stems (at
the base), and can tolerate flooding. The species prefers a low pH (5 - 6.5), heavy saline soils are
not suitable.

Uses: Culms are used in construction, parquets, basketry, furniture, concrete reinforcements,
kitchen utensils, handicrafts, chopsticks, hats and toys. Bambusa blumeana is also used as fuel if
wood is scarce, as a raw material for paperpulp, and its edible shoots are consumed as a
vegetable. This bamboo species also has great potential for the rehabilitation of marginal lands
and can be used to border agricultural areas as living fences, as a windbreak, or to prevent
erosion along streams.

Bambusa vulgaris
Bambusa vulgaris or Common Bamboo is a giant tropical and subtropical clumping bamboo native
to southern China and Madagascar. This species is cultivated extensively in many parts of the
world.

Height 10 - 20 m
Diameter 4 - 10 cm
Growth Habit Open Clumping
Climate Tropical – Subtropical
Hardiness -3°C
Origin China – Madagascar
Culms: Bambusa vulgaris culms are bright green, glossy, erect below and arching above and have
an average height between 10-20 m. Internodes are 25-35 cm long, and have an average
diameter of 4-10 cm. Wall thickness ranges between 7-15 mm. Nodes are prominent, of which
the lower ones often with a narrow ring of roots and covered with brown hairs.

Branches: Several to many clustered branches with 1-3 larger dominant branches. Branches
usually occur from mid-culm to top.
Leaves: Narrow leaves which are on average 15-25 cm long and 2-4 cm wide.

Habitat: Bambusa vulgaris often occurs spontaneously or naturalized on river banks, roadsides,
wastelands and open ground, generally at low altitudes. In cultivation it grows very vigorous on
moist soil and under humid conditions but tolerates a wide range of climatic conditions and soil
types up to 1,200 m altitude. In dry season the bamboo plants may become completely defoliated
but recuperate once rainy season starts. This bamboo species can survive low temperatures up
to -3°C and has a high adaptation to semi-arid areas, and on degraded and flooded lands.

Uses: Bambusa vulgaris is widely planted and used for a variety of purposes, primarily for use in
light construction such as houses, huts, boats (masts, rudders, outriggers, boating poles), fences,
scaffolding, furniture, musical instruments and handicrafts.

Culms are also used as carrying poles or banana plant supports. Split stems are used for brooms,
baskets, and rings prepared from the split culms are put into ear perforations by the Tunkul-Naga
tribes of Manipur. In New Guinea culms are used to make traditional combs and penis gourds
('koteka') in the phallocrypt tradition.

This bamboo is also an excellent raw material for paper and pulp production. Laboratory studies
and pilot trials of pulp made from this species growing in Africa indicate its potential value,
especially for mixing with hardwood pulps.

Young shoots are edible but of average to poor quality, therefore shoots are rarely used as a
vegetable. Leaves are sometimes used as forage or livestock fodder although toxic effects to
horses where noted.

As a medicine, chloroform extract of the leaves is used against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tabasheer from culm internodes is used to treat infantile epilepsy, fever and hematuria, kidney
troubles, bark astringent and emmenagogue (to stimulate or increases menstrual flow), and as
an abortifacient (to cause abortion).

Bambusa vulgaris is often planted as an ornamental bamboo or to form hedges to border land. It
can be planted on slopes to control erosion.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' or Painted Bamboo, (previously known as Bambusa vulgaris 'Striata')
is a giant tropical and subtropical clumping bamboo native to China and Japan. It is one of the
most cultivated ornamental bamboos in the tropical world.

Height 10 - 15 m
Diameter 5 - 8 cm
Growth Habit Clumping
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -3 °C
Origin China - Japan
Culms: The glossy culms of Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' are bright yellow randomly marked with
narrow and broad green stripes (or rarely light green with yellow stripes), and have an average
height between 10-15 m. Internodes are 10-15 cm long, thick-walled, and have an average
diameter of 5-8 cm. The type of striping on the culms is known to vary in different plants, or even
within an individual plant. For example, there exist plants of yellow internodes with a few narrow
green stripes, or without any green stripes, as well as plants of green internodes with a few yellow
stripes.

Branches: Several to many clustered branches with 1 larger dominant branch. Branches are often
striped as well.

Leaves: Narrow lance-shaped leaves which are on average 15-20 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide.

Seeds: Last reported flowering and seed-setting was in 1873.

Habitat: This bamboo species grows up to an altitude of 1,000 m and can survive low
temperatures up to -3°C.

Uses: Commonly and widely planted as an ornamental bamboo, as hedges to border land or as
erosion control on slopes or riverbeds. Water from boiled shoots is also used as a medicine. Culms
are used as poles in light construction or furniture. In Central America often used to make baskets
or as tv-antenna posts.
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin'
Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' or Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo is a tropical and subtropical clumping
bamboo native to South China.

Height 2-5m
Diameter 2 - 12 cm
Growth Habit Open Clumper
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -2°C
Origin South China
Culms: This species is a small sized graceful bamboo. Culms are loosely tufted, dark shiny green,
woody and thick-walled, with an average height between 2-5 m. Internodes are 10-15 cm long
of which the lower internodes are shortened and swollen with nodal roots. Lower swollen
internodes can be 10-12 cm in diameter.

Branches: Several to many clustered branches with 1-3 larger dominant branches. Branches
usually occur over the enitire culm.

Leaves: The leaves of this bamboo are usually between 15-30 cm long and 2-3 cm wide.

Seeds: Data on flowering cycles and seed setting is unknown.

Habitat: Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' prefers full sun to partial shade. If grown in deep shade, the
nodes won't be as pronounced, as the plant will stretch to reach for the sun. Although the roots
are cold hardy, the foliage is frost sensitive and culm damage can result from temperatures
below -2°C.

Uses: Bambusa vulgaris 'Wamin' is an ornamental bamboo used in garden landscaping or as

erosion control. The culms are often used for handicrafts.
Gigantochloa atter

Gigantochloa atter, also known as Giant Atter or Sweet Bamboo, is a dense tropical clumping
bamboo native of Malaysia. Young shoots are consumed as a vegetable while the stems are
used for making furniture and musical instruments.

Height 15 - 22 m
Diameter 5 - 10 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumper
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -2°C
Origin Malaysia
Culms: Large tufted woody bamboo with dark green culms of 15-22 m high and 5-10 cm in
diameter. Culm internodes are thin-walled and are on average 40–50 cm long. The lower part of
the culms develop aerial roots from the nodes.

Branches: Many clustered branches at the nodes with 1 larger dominant branch.

Leaves: Leaves are lance-shaped and are on average 20-44 cm long and 3-9 cm wide.

Habitat: This bamboo is found in the low land and it has been observed growing from near the
coast to about 1400 m above sea level.

Uses: In Central Java, people call this species bambu legi which means sweet bamboo. Young
shoots of this bamboo are consumed as a vegetable and as delicious as those of Dendrocalamus
asper. The culm of this species is very useful for building material. It is also used for making
musical instruments and other handicrafts.

Origin: This species is native of Malaysia. In Indonesia (Java and Sumatra), it is commonly
cultivated in village areas.
Dendrocalamus asper
Dendrocalamus asper also known as Rough Bamboo or Giant Bamboo is a giant tropical and
subtropical dense clumping species native to Southeast Asia. This timber bamboo is used as a
building material for heavy construction, and shoots are consumed as a vegetable.

Height 20 - 30 m
Diameter 8 - 20 cm
Growth Habit Clumping
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -4 °C
Origin Malaysia
Culms: Dendrocalamus asper has large woody culms between 20-30 m tall and 8-20 cm in
diameter, and has relatively thick walls (11-20 mm) which become thinner towards the top of
the culm. The lower culms show aerial roots (rootlets) from the nodes. Culm internodes are 20-
45 cm long, pale green and covered with short brown hairs.

Branches: Many clustered branches with 1 larger central dominant branch usually occur from
ca. 9th node up.

Leaves: Leaf-blades are lance-shaped and between 15–30 cm long and 10–25 mm wide.

Seeds: Flowering cycle and seed-setting is reported to be about every 60-100

years. Dendrocalamus asper flowers gregariously although sporadic flowering has been
reported.

Habitat: Planted or naturalized from low elevations up to 1,500 m. Dendrocalamus

asper thrives best at 400-500 m altitude in areas with average annual rainfall of about 2,400
mm. They grow well on various soil types, even on sandy and rather acidic soils, but prefers
well-drained heavy soils.
Uses: Dendrocalamus asper poles are used as a building material and structural timber for heavy
construction such as houses and bridges. The culm internodes used as containers for water and
other fluids, and as cooking pots. This bamboo is also used for making laminated boards,
furniture, musical instruments, chopsticks, household utensils and handicrafts. Young shoots are
sweet and considered a delicious vegetable.

Dendrocalamus latiflorus
Dendrocalamus latiflorus also known as Taiwan Giant Bamboo is a giant tropical and subtropical
clumping species native to Southern China and Taiwan. This bamboo has sweet edible shoots
and is often used in light construction.

Height 14 - 25 m
Diameter 8 - 20 cm
Growth Habit Dense Clumping
Climate Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness -4°C
Origin China - Taiwan
Culms: Dendrocalamus latiflorus has thick walled (5-30 mm) woody culms between 14-25 m tall
and 8-20 cm in diameter, which become thinner towards the top. Culm internodes are between
20-70 cm long and have a pale green color.

Branches: Many clustered branches with 1 larger dominant branch. Branches usually
start occurring near the middle of the culm.

Leaves: Leaf-blades are lance-shaped and between 15-40 cm long and 25-75 mm wide.

Habitat: This bamboo species occurs in its native area under humid subtropical conditions, at
elevations up to 1,000 m and can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°C. Dendrocalamus
latiflorus prefers high rainfall and grows best in moist, sandy loam fertile soils. In the tropics it
can be cultivated in lowlands as well as in the highlands, but heavy clay, gravel alkaline or acidic
soils are not suitable for the production of edible shoots.
Uses: Culms used for structural timber (of medium quality) for house and temporary
construction, agricultural implements, water pipes, basketry, rafts for fishing, woven
wares, furniture, chopsticks, bamboo boards, and paper making. The leaves are used to make
hats, to cook rice, to make roofs for boats, and as packing material. Shoots are consumed as a
vegetable and are of very good quality.

Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea

Uses
In Indonesia G. pseudoarundinacea is used for building material, water pipes, furniture,
household utensils, chopsticks and toothpicks. It is also used to make basketry (although G.
apus (J.A. & J.H. Schultes) Kurz is preferred) and musical instruments (although G.
atroviolacea Widjaja is preferred). The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable, especially those
of less robust forms. The culms might be used to make charcoal.
Production and international trade
In Indonesia, G. pseudoarundinacea is the second in importance after G. apus and plays a
prominent role in the rural economy. Local production and trade of culms and derived products
are considerable, but no statistics are available.
Properties
The fibre dimensions for culms of G. pseudoarundinacea are: length 2.75-3.27 mm, diameter
24.55-37.97μm; the number of fibres increases by about 10% from the bottom to the top of the
culm. Specific gravity is 0.5-0.7 (internodes) and 0.6-0.8 (parts with nodes). The modulus of
elasticity is 19 440-28 594 N/mm2, the modulus of rupture 171-207 N/mm2, the tensile strength
128-192 N/mm2. The energy value for charcoal of culms of G. pseudoarundinacea is about 30
000 kJ/kg.
In Indonesia (West Java) G. pseudoarundinacea culms grown on hill slopes (500 m altitude,
4200 mm annual rainfall) are stronger (higher specific gravity, bending and tensile strength)
than culms grown in valleys.
Description
A densely tufted, sympodial bamboo, with the centre of the clump irregularly raised above the
ground. Culm 7-30 m tall, 5-13 cm in diameter, wall up to 2 cm thick; internodes up to 40-45(-
60) cm long, green to yellow-green, yellow striped, initially with scattered appressed brown
hairs on the upper parts, glabrous and smooth when older; lower nodes with verticillate aerial
roots. Branches arising from all nodes above 2-3 m from the ground with one dominant branch
at each node. Culm sheath truncate, 35 cm long or longer, deciduous, when young, dark green
and papery at the margin and brown hairy becoming glabrous with age; blade ovate-oblong,
acute at the apex, about as long as the sheath, hirsute at base, spreading to reflexed; ligule up
to 5 mm long, dentate, fine hairy at top; auricles up to 4 mm tall and 17 mm long in lateral
extent, with a variable low and wavy rim, when young with up to 5 mm long bristles. Young
shoots yellow-green, flushed with orange on the sheath apices and green striped, with
appressed, acute, brown to golden-brown hairs. Leaf blade lanceolate, 22-25 cm × 2.5-5 cm,
glabrous or finely hairy at lower surface; lower sheaths with slightly emarginate collar-like
callus; ligule up to 2 mm long, irregularly toothed with fine hairs; auricles firm, raised at the end
up to 1 mm and joined to the ligule. Inflorescences appearing on leafless culms, up to 75 cm
long, with clustered pseudospikelet groups 1-9 cm apart and up to 148 pseudospikelets in a
cluster; spikelet ovoid, subacute, 7.5-10 mm long, with 4 perfect and 1 sterile florets. Caryopsis
unknown.
Growth and development
One year after planting of a cutting, 7-10 culms have emerged. Per year about 8-9 culms per
clump reach full size. A young culm grows fast, attaining full height in 3-4 months with an
average growing rate of 3.4 cm per day.
Flowering occurs when the clump is 50-60 years old; it flowers gregariously, after which the
clump dies.
Ecology
G. pseudoarundinacea is grown in the perhumid tropics from sea-level up to about 1200 m
altitude, in areas with an annual rainfall of 2350-4200 mm, average temperature of 20-32°C and
average relative humidity of over 70%. It occurs on sandy loams and alluvial soils.
Propagation and planting
G. pseudoarundinacea is only propagated vegetatively by rhizome, culm or branch cuttings.
Cuttings from flowering clumps should be avoided because they will start flowering soon after
planting. Culm cuttings have shown a survival rate of nearly 100%. In Indonesia, the best time
for planting is in the rainy season from December to March. Recommended spacing is 8 m × 8
m, and high rainfall areas are preferred.
Husbandry
Weeding, watering and loosening of the soil are important until the clumps are well-
established. Organic and chemical fertilizers are applied for high production, but no
recommended amounts are known. Cleaning the clumps from culm remnants and earthing up
stimulate the growth of new culms.