Where is bamboo from

Botanists like to divide the subfamily into three tribes: Bambuseae tropical woody bamboo , Arundinarieae temperate woody bamboo , and Olyreae tropical herbaceous bamboo. Among these three tribes, the experts recognize anywhere from 90 to different genera plural of genus of bamboo, with about 1, different species. In classifying bamboo, many different characteristics have to be considered. The origin and distribution of the genus or species is one important factor.

So when we talk about where bamboo comes from, the easiest way is to study them genus by genus. From looking at the three tribes of bamboo mentioned above, we can already see that some bamboos come from the tropics and others come from more temperate climes. In the most general division, plants from the Bambuseae tribe are tropical or subtropical, and those in the Arundinarieae tribe are temperate, and more likely to withstand sub-freezing winters.

Olyreae species are also tropical, but these herbaceous bamboos are something of a novelty. They have not been naturalized outside of their native habitat, primarily the Amazon basin. In addition to their cold hardiness, the distinction between tropical and temperate bamboo has a strong correlation to their growth habit. Tropical bamboos typically have clumping rhizome roots, while temperate bamboos have running rhizome roots. An exception to this rule is the genus Fargesia , which is a temperate bamboo of the Arundinarieae tribe.

These are some of the most cold tolerant of all bamboos. But unlike other varieties of Arundinarieae, they have clumping, non-invasive root systems. Mostly they are native to central and southern China, often in higher elevations. But you can also find them growing in tropical zones like Vietnam. The genus Himalayacalamus is another interesting exception, made up of temperate, clumping bamboos, native to the lower slopes of the Himalayas.

In terms of bamboo, clumping is practically synonymous with tropical. Still, this only refers to the conditions in their native habitats. Same goes for neotropical timber bamboo like Guadua. Varieties like Phyllostachys , Sasa , and Pleioblastus , predominantly native to China and Japan, are very cold hardy and can be very fast spreading.

They can even grow in Canada , one of the few places that has no native species of bamboo. But they can also be invasive , which makes many gardeners uncomfortable.

In many cases, however, the freezing weather tends to slow the growth and spread of an otherwise highly aggressive bamboo specimen. Genus Chusquea , for example, grows throughout Central and South America. A New World clumper, it has the widest distribution of any bamboo, in terms of both latitude and altitude.

The rhizomes are also difficult to remove, generally requiring the digging up of the rhizomes and then cutting them apart with an axe or other such gardening tool. Bamboo has a wide range of growing areas which is seen by the massive amounts of bamboo forests still standing in Southeast Asia.

Whether it is Africa or North America, there are species of native bamboo that will grow in those parts of the world and can be transplanted to gardens anywhere. Few plants offer the strength and beauty that bamboo does. It is truly a plant of emmaculate design. We are dedicated to the promotion and use of bamboo throughout the world. Bamboo is a plant that offers limitless potential for the future. It offers us strength, sustainability, versatility, and a green alternative.

Website by Webmaster. Strength From Beauty Few plants offer the strength and beauty that bamboo does. The bamboo sector plays an important role in the livelihoods of local farmers. Developing a stable bamboo industry is a great way to help reduce poverty, increase economic opportunities for men and women, and to fight global unemployment.

Rapid Growth. Bamboo is the Fastest Growing Plant on Earth. Renewable Resource. Bamboo Provides and Endless Supply of Timber. Clean Air. Bamboo Produces more Oxygen than Trees.

Carbon Sequestration. Bamboo is a Highly Effective Carbon Sink. Water Conservation.