Bamboo is a group of woody perennial plants in the true grass family Poaceae. There are 91 genera and over 1,000 species, each with unique characteristics. The size of bamboo varies from small annuals to giant timber bamboo. The species can be divided into two groups: 1. sympodial or clumping and 2. monopodial or running species. Clumping bamboo grows from the soil in a slowly expanding tuft, while the running species send underground rhizomes to produce shoots several feet from the original “parent” plant.
We love bamboo and have planted several species on our property.
Sacred Bali – Schizostachyum Brachycladum
Dwarf Buddha Belly – Bambusa Vulgaris Wamin
Giant Bamboo – Dendrocalamus Giganteus
Black Asperger’s – Dendrocalamus Asper “Hitam”
Carla Hochti
Here’s a list of some commonly known bamboo species, though there are many more species and varieties beyond what I can list here.
- Phyllostachys bambusoides – Japanese Timber Bamboo
- Phyllostachys Aurea – Golden Bamboo
- Bambusa multiplex – Hedge Bamboo
- Dendrocalamus Giganteus – Giant Bamboo
- Bambusa vulgaris – Common Bamboo
- Fargesia murielae – Umbrella Bamboo
- Chusquea culeou – Chilean Bamboo
- Chimonobambusa quadrangularis – Square Bamboo
- Semiarundinaria fastuosa – Narihira Bamboo
- Borinda papyrifera – Hardy Bamboo
- Thamnocalamus tessellatus – African Mountain Bamboo
- Oxytenanthera abyssinica – Ethiopian Bamboo
- Bambusa oldhamii – Oldham’s Bamboo
- Himalayacalamus hookerianus – Himalayan Blue Bamboo
- Indocalamus tessellatus – Tinwa Bamboo
- Bambusa tulda – Indian Timber Bamboo
- Chusquea gigantea – Guadua Bamboo
- Otatea acuminata – Mexican Weeping Bamboo
- Gigantochloa atroviolacea – Giant Black Bamboo
- Melocanna baccifera – Sweet Bamboo
- Bambusa textilis – Weaver’s Bamboo
- Phyllostachys vivax – Chinese Timber Bamboo
- Bambusa balcooa – Female Bamboo
- Dendrocalamus strictus – Solid Bamboo
- Gigantochloa apus – Giant Bamboo
- Bambusa chungii – Tropical Blue Bamboo
- Fargesia dracocephala – Dragon’s Head Bamboo
- Bambusa ventricosa – Buddha’s Belly Bamboo
- Dendrocalamus hamiltonii – Calcutta Bamboo
- Bambusa lako – Timor black bamboo
Please note that the growth habits, sizes, and uses of these bamboo species can vary widely. Additionally, there are many cultivars and hybrids within these species, each with its own unique features.
