Thorny bamboo, Spiny bamboo
Bambusa arundinacea

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A bamboo. The stalks are crooked and knotty.

There are about 120 Bambusa species. They are tropical and subtropical in Asia. Chemical composition (seeds): Lysine content has been analysed at 4.4% to 4.8%, compared to such cereals as wheat and rice, which have lysine contents of ca. 2.5%. Tryptophan deficit is up to 50%. Cultivation as a crop is limited only by the long time taken for the plant to flower - a factor which might be rectified by selective breeding. Mean net protein utilisation (NPU) is 73.6%. Growth-promoting effect is equivalent to that of milk protein. Biological valence and digestive coefficient averages 78.2% to 94.1%. Protein efficiency ratio is 2.92% as compared to skim milk at 2.78%.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in forest. It grows up to 2,000 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cambodia, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pakistan, SE Asia, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, USA

How it is used for food

Newly sprouted buds are eaten cooked. The water should be changed to remove the bitterness. A fermented vegetable product is also made. They can be dried for future use. The buds are used for vegetables. They can also be pickled. Seeds are eaten as a rice substitute. The sugary sap is made into drinks.

The shoots are sold in markets. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds, shoots, cereal, sap-drinks

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bamboo vaste, Bans, Bidiru kalale, Biduru, Bongu-veduru, Gokha, Gokhatuoi, Katraanji, Ketua, Kotoha, Kutuasi, Moongil, Mungil arisee, Mungil, Pente-veduru, Reussey prey, Saneibi, Vansh, Vans, Veduru, Washte

Synonyms

Arundo bambos L.; Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss; Bambusa spinosa Roxb.-Ham. Possibly the same as Bambusa bambos;