Cephalostachyum virgatum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A bamboo. It grows 6-12 m tall. The stems (culms) are 4-6 cm across. The internodes are 45-60 cm long. They are dark green. The culm sheaths are 15-20 cm long and slightly wider. The leaves are sword shaped and 15-30 cm long by 3-4 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in moist evergreen forests and near rivers.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, China, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The shoots are edible but not popular.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Jin mao kong zhu, Kya-wa, Phai hia, Thayaw-wa, Wa-ba, Wa-byauk, Wa-kha

Synonyms

Melocanna virgata Munro; Schizostachyum virgatum (Munro) H. B. Naithani & Bennet;