Bamboo Species of Mexico

8 genera, 35 species, 2 subspecies

Mexico is the second most diverse in Central America in terms of woody bamboos. At present, 8 genera and 37 species are reported with one genus, Olmeca, and 14 species being endemic.

The majority (47%) of its species belong to the genus Chusquea, and the remaining to Arthrostylidium, Aulonemia, Guadua, Olmeca, Otatea and Rhipidocladum.

In Mexico, some Guadua and Otatea species are used by local communities. There are several common names for the Chusquea species -- such as "Carrizo", "otatillo", "camalote" and "chajiche" -- and there are reports that the culms of these are used to make baskets.

Guadua has 5 species, almost all of them are utilized for various purposes: G. aculeata, G. amplexifolia, G. longifolia, G. paniculata and G. velutina.

In the last 5 years G. angustifolia has been cultivated in Chiapas and Tabasco. The initial material was brought from Quindio, Colombia, and more than 4 000 ha are cultivated in southern Mexico for commercial purposes. Other commercial plantations are being raised with G. amplexifolia.

The most common introduced Asiatic bamboos in Mexico are Bambusa vulgaris and B. vulgaris var. vittata. Probably, there are more Asiatic bamboos but they are not documented in herbarium collections.

 

Native woody bamboo species of Mexico:

 

Source: INBAR