Giant bamboo, Dragon bamboo
Dendrocalamus giganteus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A clump forming bamboo. It can be 25-30-50 m tall. It has rhizomes which spread. The clumps can be 10-15 m wide. The canes can be 35 cm across. They are erect and jointed. The nodes are hairy. The leaf blades are sword shaped and smooth with fine teeth along the edge. The leaves can be 55 cm long. These clasp the canes at their base. The flower is a long panicle which droops.

There are about 29 Dendrocalamus species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It often grows in high mountains. It must have temperatures above 5°C. They are frost tender. It cannot tolerate drought. It prefers rich moist soil. In Nepal it grows between 200-1300 m altitude. In Yunnan it grows between 380-1,900 m above sea level. In Cairns Botanical garden. In XTBG Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Ghana, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Young shoots are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are cooked with meat or fish.

It is widely used for building, water pipes and other uses. The shoots are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

The plants can be grown from seed. They can also be grown by dividing established clumps. Sections of the young stalk will shoot if cut and placed horizontally in a growing medium in a warm place. The cuttings should be 50 cm long and planted 20 cm deep.

Young shoots can grow at the rate of 30 cm a day.

Its other names

Local names

Ae hatee, Bambu ater, Bambu sembilang, Bhalu bans, Buloh semilang, Kyo-Chiku, Lao bu bie, Long zhu, Mai sang, Phai phama, Phai po, Phai pok, Phai yak, Rusey prey, Russei prei, Surung, Vai-mau, Wabo, Wabo-gyi, Wo pu, Worra

Synonyms

Bambusa gigantea Wallich ex Munro; Sinocalamus giganteus (Munro) Keng f.;