| DESCRIPTION: A densely tufted, sympodial bamboo with spiny basal branches forming a densely interlaced thicket. Culms erect, 15-25 m tall, up to about 20 cm in, wall 0.5-3 cm thick; internodes usually hollow, 25-60 cm long, glaborous, green; nodes prominent, the lower ones bearing aerial roots. USE: Young shoots are eaten as a vegetable, usually boiled and shredded. The culms are used for construction, basketry (baskets are very popular), furniture, parquets, concrete reinforcements, kitchen utensils, chopsticks, hats and toys. Culms are also used as firewood if wood is scarce. The culms are suitable for making paper. It is often planted along water courses to prevent soil erosion. It is planted around farmhouses as wind breaks, in fields as living fences or to mark boundaries. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. The harvesting of culms may start 5 years after planting. The shoots emerge during the rainy season and can be harvested for food after 7-15 days. COMMON NAMES: Spiny bamboo, Thorny bamboo. FURTHER INF: It is believed to be native in Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Isalnds and Borneo. It is cultivated in East Asia as far North as southern China. It grows well along river banks, hill slopes and freshwater creeks and it tolerates flooding. |
