White bamboo
Dendrocalamus membranaceus
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
Dendrocalamus membranaceus is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 15 m (49ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 15
Where it is found
An undergrowth plant in dry/moist tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests, montane rain forest and semi-evergreen rain forest at elevations up to 3,000 metres.
E. Asia - China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.
Conservation Status: Status: Least Concern
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Cambodia, China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, USA, Vietnam
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Young shoots are edible. A slightly bitter taste, but they are excellent for processing because they are nearly smooth and easy to handle.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
Agroforestry Uses: The plant has a large root system that helps to prevent soil erosion. Other Uses: The culms are used for building purposes, bamboo board, furniture, basketry, matting and handicrafts, and as props for fruit trees. They are said to be very promising for the production of paperpulp. Harvesting may start 3 - 4 years after a clump has begun to produce culms of maximum size. Only culms older than 3 years are harvestable and harvesting should never be done during the growing season. It is recommended to cut the culms lower than 30cm above the ground level, but not below the 2nd node. Debris and cut branches should always be removed completely.
Basketry: Plant used in making baskets and other items such as chairs. Includes plants that are only used as an ornamental addition.
Biomass: Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
Management: Managed Multistem: Regularly removing some multiple stems. A non-A non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
Other Systems: Multistrata: Multistrata agroforests feature multiple layers of trees often with herbaceous perennials, annual crops, and livestock.
Other Systems: Strip intercrop: Tree crops grown in rows with alternating annual crops.
Industrial Crop: Biomass: Three broad categories: bamboos, resprouting woody plants, and giant grasses. uses include: protein, materials (paper, building materials, fibers, biochar etc.), chemicals (biobased chemicals), energy - biofuels
Management: Managed Multistem: Regularly removing some multiple stems. A non-A non-destructive management systems maintaining the soil organic carbon.
Minor Global Crop: These crops are already grown or traded around the world, but on a smaller scale than the global perennial staple and industrial crops, The annual value of a minor global crop is under $1 billion US. Examples include shea, carob, Brazil nuts and fibers such as ramie and sisal.
Other Systems: Multistrata: Multistrata agroforests feature multiple layers of trees often with herbaceous perennials, annual crops, and livestock.
Other Systems: Strip intercrop: Tree crops grown in rows with alternating annual crops.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
This species is most commonly found in tropical mixed deciduous or monsoon forest at elevations below 1,000 metres. In northeastern Thailand, where it is native, the annual average minimum temperature is 21.7?c (ranging from 14.5 - 25.6?c) and average maximum temperature 33.3?c (ranging from 30.5 - 38.1?c). The average annual rainfall is 950mm with a dry season of about 5 months. Prefers a moist laterite or black limestone soil, but plants can tolerate arid and barren conditions. Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying.
Propagating it: Seed - many, if not all, members of this genus have a short viability and should be sown within 2 - 3 months of harvest. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position and only just cover. Germination usually takes place readily. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Plant out into permanent positions when 20cm tall. Plants may remain in their low-growing juvenile state for several years - cutting the culms to the ground level can stimulate taller adult growth. Rhizome, culm and branch cuttings. The propagules are raised in the nursery and after they have produced roots they are planted out in the field before or during the first half of the rainy season.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Bamboo
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Aowang, Hok haix, Hmyin-phyu, Hyyin-wa, Hmyinwa-aphyu, Hmyin-wa-gyi, Maisang, Phai-nuan, Phai-sangdoi, Phai-sangnuan, S'ang, Wamu, Wapyu, Waya
Synonyms
Bambusa membranacea (Munro) Stapleton & N.H.Xia Dendrocalamus longifimbriatus Gamble Oxytenanthera lacei Gamble Sinocalamus longifimbriatus (Gamble) T.Q.Nguyen