Choya bans
Bambusa nepalensis
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A bamboo. It grows to about 20 m tall. The culm is large and densely covered with brownish fur. The culm sheath is broad and hairy. Nodes are not raised. The leaves are sword shaped. The leaf sheaths are white and hairy.
There are about 120 Bambusa species. They are tropical and subtropical in Asia.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In Nepal it grows from 500-1300 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal
How it is used for food
The tender shoots are cooked as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Shoots, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants are grown from cuttings of the culm.
Its other names
Local names
Choya bans, Chyas