Bamboo

(Bambusa)

Interesting Information About Plant:

     Bamboo can be grown in most climates.  It can be grown, both as an ornamental plant as well as a food source.  It is the preferred food of panda bears.  It takes on the flavor of anything it is cooked with.  Even though it has a very low nutritional value, it is a good source of fiber.  The leaves of bamboo plants are poisonous and it is recommended that only the young shoots be eaten.  It is also the biggest type of grass.  In good conditions, a bamboo plant can grow up to 2 inches per day.  There are hundreds of different types of bamboo.  Most originate in tropical regions of earth but there are a few types that can survive through a light frost.  This kind of plant requires very little care in order to survive.  Different uses of bamboo are construction, paper, furniture, medicine, and avoidance of erosion and deforestation.

Scientific Name:   Bambusa

Family Name (Scientific and Common):  Bambusa (Bamboo)

Continent of Origin: Asia

Plant Growth Habit?    Upright Herbaceous

Height at Maturity?   More than 10 Feet

Life Span?    Perennial

Seasonal Habit?      Herbaceous That Stays Green through Winter                    

Growth Habitat?    Very little sun is needed although it can grow in full sunlight

Manner of Culture?      Landscape  

Thorns on Younger Stem?   No

Cross Section of Younger Stem?      Roundish

Stem (or Trunk) Diameter?     Between The Diameter of a Pencil and a Broom-Handle 

Produces Brownish Bark?   Have yellowish woody stems

Bark Peeling in Many Areas?    Yes

Characteristics of Mature (Brownish) Bark?    No Mature Bark (all green and yellowish)

Type of Leaf?   Flat, Thin Leaf

Length of Leaf (or Leaflet)?  Longer than a writing Pen

Leaf Complexity?  Simple 

Shape of Leaf?  Simple  

Edge of Leaf?  Smooth

Leaf Arrangement?  Alternate 

Leaf has Petiole?  No

Patterns of Main-Veins?    Parallel

Leaf Hairiness?   No Hairs

Color of Foliage in Summer?  Green

Change in Color of Foliage in October?      Changes to Yellow   

Flowering Season?   Spring, Summer

Flowers?    In Loose Group 

Type of Flower?    Like a Colorful Grass Flower

Color of Flower?   Purple-Violet 

Shape of Individual Flower?    Other

Size of Individual Flower?      Larger than the Length of a Credit Card

Sexuality?   Hermaphroditic Flower

Size of Fruit?    Smaller than a Quarter 

Fruit Fleshiness?    Dry

Shape of Fruit?    Spherical 

Color of Fruit at Maturity?      Brown or Dry

Fruit Desirable to Birds or Squirrels?      Yes

Common Name(s): Bamboo

Louisville Plants That Are Most Easily Confused With This One?  Corn

Unique Morphological Features of Plant?  Stalks are hallow

Poisonous?    Part of Plant (leaves)

Pesty Plant (weedy, hard to control)?    Yes, grows at very fast rate

Page prepared by:

Mikenzie Lewis      

November 2004