Family: Poaceae
Common Name: Bamboo
See also: Arundinaria

Bamboo has had enormous influence throughout the world. It is used for food and shelter, furniture and utensils, bridges and scaffolding. A Taoist saying warns, 'No man can live without a bamboo tree near his house, but he can live without meat'. Chinese calligraphy runs down the page, instead of across it, because bamboo was their first medium for writing and the ribbed stems allowed for easy downward markings.

It is said that bamboo can actually be seen and heard growing. On quiet days in swampy parts of Asia and tropical United States, strong crackling sounds can be heard-like something being torn or ripped. This is the sound the bamboo shoot makes as it tears away from its protective sheath. Bamboo can live for up to 150 years or more, depending on the species and conditions. It is said that once a bamboo flowers it dies and, indeed, it is rarely seen in flower in general cultivation.

The common name derives from the Indian word for bamboo-bambos. In China, bamboo is so highly regarded that there are six different names for it. All species of Bambusa are large, grassy, clump-forming plants, with graceful stems and ribbed leaves. Some make elegant pot plants for indoors, balcony gardens or small, paved courtyards.

Species

B. multiplex (Synonym: B. glaucescens) is a perennial from China. It grows to a height of 4-10 m (13-33 ft). It has flat, mid-green leaves, 12 cm (5 in) long. Some varieties have yellow stems and gray-blue leaves; others have variegated yellow and green stems, with mottled rose and green leaves.

B. ventricosa, Buddha's belly, is vigorous, growing to 5-25 m (16-80 ft) high, depending on conditions. It can be dwarfed by growing it in a container. If it is stressed by poor conditions, the internodes on the stems become short and swollen giving rise to its common name.

B. vulgaris, feathery bamboo, has banded yellow stems and 20 cm (8 in) long leaves. Native to Southeast Asia, it can grow to more than 20 m (65 ft). Cultivars of this species with striped canes are very attractive. This particular species is also cultivated for its new shoots which are used as food. The pointed shoots emerging from the ground are harvested and eaten, especially in China, Japan and Korea. Various species are grown for edible shoots but this is the main one.

Cultivation

Plant in a rich, loamy soil which retains moisture. Bamboo likes water and thrives along watercourses in its natural habitat. Do not prune. Propagate by division of the clumps at the end of winter. Bamboos are often slow to adapt in the first year but, once established, they grow fast.

Climate

Suitable for zone 9 but zone 10 for B. vulgaris.