Bamboo Species of Guatemala

5 genera, 17 species

Guatemala is a country with many species of native woody bamboos, majority of them belonging to the genus Chusquea and the rest to the genera Arthrostylidium, Guadua, Otatea and Rhipidocladum.

Guatemala is one of the first Central American countries to focus its attention on bamboo as a potential renewable resource. Native woody bamboos are widespread in the country. Although 53% of the species belong to the genus Chusquea, only two – C. longifolia and C. nelsonii -- are reported as useful.

Guadua is represented by G. aculeata, G. longifolia and G. paniculata. The largest in size is G. aculeata, which occurs at 50-500 m elevations in the departments of Izabal, Quirigua, Retalhuleau and Suchitepequez. The species is locally called "taro" and used for house construction.

G. angustifolia was introduced into Guatemala from Panama in 1946 at the Experimental Gardens of the Instituto Agropecuario Nacional (Hda. Chocola). In the same year, G. aculeata from Honduras was also brought and cultivated here. At present, 15 species of Asiatic bamboos are cultivated in the farms at Chocola, Colombia, La Maquina and Pantaleon.

Native woody bamboo species of Guatemala:

Source: INBAR