Oldham Bamboo, Giant timber bamboo
Bambusa oldhamii

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A bamboo. It grows 18 m high. The culms are straight and upright. They grow in open clumps. The clumps can be 6-12 m across. The culms are 6-15 cm across. They are bright green with a white bloom. They turn yellow with age. The shoots are edible.

There are about 120 Bambusa species. They are tropical and subtropical in Asia.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It is a cooler climate bamboo. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. It will tolerate temperatures down to -7°C. In Melbourne Botanical Gardens. In Townsville Queens BG.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, China (country/location of origin), Japan, South America, Taiwan, USA

How it is used for food

The young shoots can be eaten.

It is commonly cultivated for its high quality shoots.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Lu zhu, Lu-chu, Ryoku-chiku

Synonyms

Leleba oldhamii Nakai; Sinocalamus oldhamii (Munro) McClure;