Bambusa Vulgaris

Pictures, Characteristics and Identification

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Bambusa vulgaris

Picture taken by Stéphane Schröder from Guadua Bamboo.

PreviousNext

Bambusa vulgaris

Picture taken by Stéphane Schröder from Guadua Bamboo.

Common Name: Common Bamboo

Average Height: 10-20 m

Average Diameter: 4-10 cm

Rhizomes: Clumping bamboo

Culms: Culms are woody and thin-walled. Without nodal roots.

Branches complement: Three or more branches with one branch dominant.

Leaves: 8-9 leaves per branch. 15-30 cm long and 18-45 mm wide.

Climate: Tropical and subtropical.

Habitat: Bambusa vulgaris occurs mostly on river banks, wastelands and open ground. Although generally found at low altitudes, it can grow up to 1,200 m altitude, and survives temperatures of -3°C, it can also tolerate draughts and a wide range of soil types.

Origin: Probably Southern China or Madagascar, but is frequently and widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics (Americas, Africa, Australia).

Uses:

• Culms used for building boats (masts, rudders, outriggers, boating poles).
• As carrying poles
• Light temporary construction
• Fences
• Furniture
• Particle boards
• Basket making
• Musical instruments
• Paper pulp
• Plant supports sticks
• Young shoots are edible, but rarely used as a vegetable.
• Medicinal uses
• In New Guinea as penis gourds.
• Leaves sometimes used as forage.
• Planted as hedges to border land or for erosion control.

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