Bamboo, New Guinea Edible Mamboo, New Guinea clump bamboo
Chloothamnus elatus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A large bamboo with stalks 20 m long and 5 -6 cm across. The leaves are fine and narrow. It produces large clumps.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the highlands between about 1200 m and 1900 m altitude. It only occurs in Papua New Guinea. Clumps are planted near highland houses. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The pith in the centre of young shoots is eaten after cooking.

In Papua New Guinea, most highland families maintain at least one clump to use as containers and they eat surplus shoots.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

It is planted by dividing an old clump and planting the shoots. It can also be grown from cuttings.

New shoots are produced throughout the year.

Its other names

Local names

Taembok

Synonyms

Nastus elatus Holttum;