Sweet bamboo
Gigantochloa atter

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A tall bamboo. It grows 12-22 m high. It forms many tillers. It can be green or black. The stems are 5-10 cm across. The leaves are sword shaped and narrowed at the base. The side are unequal. They are 15-30 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The flowering shoots have many branches. There are 5-15 spikelets in a group.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Java it grows in the lowlands and up to about 1,400 m above sea level. It grows on alluvial, limestone and sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.

The young shoots are enjoyed.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from sections of the rhizome or division of the clump.

Its other names

Local names

Bamboo itam, Bambu ater, Bambu manis

Synonyms

Bambusa thouarsii var. atter Hassk.;