Spathe bamboo
Thamnocalamus spathiflorus
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A bamboo grass. It has a rhizome neck 6 cm long. The culms are 3-4 m tall and 1-2 cm wide. The internodes are 15-18 cm long. There are 3-6 branches.
See notes in Flora of China Vol. 22, p 79
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows in conifer and mixed subalpine forests between 2,500-2,900 m above sea level in Tibet.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Sikkim, Tibet
How it is used for food
The young shoots are fermented and used as a vegetable or spice.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Seeds, stem, cereal, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Babain, Babam, Ban nigalo, Bhebham, Deoningal, Garu, Myoosay, Parikh, Purmick, Ratonigalo, Ringal, Rue, Tham
Synonyms
Arundinaria aristata Gamble; Arundinaria spathiflora Trin.; and others