Brandisii bamboo, Velvet leaf bamboo
Dendrocalamus brandisii
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A loosely tufted bamboo. The culm is erect and the tip hangs over. The stem or culm can be 30 m high. They are 15-20 cm across at the base. The wall is 2.5-4 cm thick. They are greenish-grey. The internodes are 30-60 cm long. There is a shiny brown line of hairs below and above the node. The nodes are slightly swollen. There are aerial roots in the lower nodes. There can be branches from the middle of the culm. The culm sheath is 40-60 cm long by 20-35 cm wide. It is longer than the internodes. The leaf blade is sword shaped and 20-30 cm long by 2.5-5 cm wide. It is pale green on the upper surface.
There are about 29 Dendrocalamus species. Chemical composition per 100 g edible portion: Water 92 g, Protein 1.1 g, Fat 0.3 g, carbohydrates 1.8 g, Fibre 0.8 g, Ash 0.6 g.
Where it is found
It grows in the tropics and subtropics. It grows in wet places in evergreen forests up to 1300 m altitude. It is often on limestone soils. It needs well drained soils. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andaman Islands, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nicobar, Northeastern India, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young shoots are used as a vegetable.
In Thailand, young shoots are sold in markets and also exported. They are enjoyed. It is a cultivated food plant.
Edible parts
Shoots
How it is grown
It can be grown from seed, from rhizome cuttings or by cuttings of the culm or stem. For culm cuttings a section of the stem with 2 nodes was planted horizontally just below the soil surface.
The young shoots emerge above the soil in the rainy season. A healthy clump produces several shoots each year.
Its other names
Local names
Bo shi tian long zhu, Hok, Kya-lo-wa, Lao gan, Mai wang, Phai-bongyai, Phai-sangyen, Phai tong pa, Taung-wabo, Wabo, Wa-payaung, Wo chi
Synonyms
Bambusa brandisii Munro; Sinocalamus brandisii Munro; Arundarbor brandisii (Munro) Kuntze;