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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Guadua is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 25 m (82ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Arundarbor guadua (Humb. & Bonpl.) Kuntze. Bambos aculeata (Rupr. ex E.Fourn.) Hitchc. Bambusa aculeata (E.Fourn.) Hitchc. Bambusa guadua Bonpl. Bambusa inermis Caldas. Guadua aculeata E.Fourn. Guadua inermis E.Fourn. Guadua intermedia E.Fourn. Nastus guadua (Kunth) Spreng.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

No evidence the shoots are edible.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None Known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

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Other Uses

Furniture & crafts work, raw construction material, panels (plywood, laminates, floors), bio-energy industry, musical instruments, houses, etc. Guadua meets the International Building Code (IBC) . Too big for pots and containers. A good ornamental bamboo. Carbon Farming Solutions - Industrial Crop: biomass (Crops grown for non-food uses. Industrial crops provide resources in three main categories: materials, chemicals, and energy. Traditional materials include lumber and thatch, paper and cardboard, and textiles) [1-1]. Fodder: bank.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Climate: subtropical to tropical. Humidity: humid. Minimum temperature tolerance: -2°C. Prefers tropical or subtropical climates, but still tolerates some frost. Full sun. Moist, well drained soil. Soil pH requirements: 5.6 (acidic) to 7.5 (neutral). Normal growing conditions in the central region of the Andes, between 900 and 1,600 meters above sea level, at temperatures between 20° and 26° Centigrade, rainfalls of 2,000 - 2,500 mm/year, a relative humidity of 75 - 85% and on alluvial soils that are rich in volcanic ash with a moderate fertility and good drainage. Carbon Farming Solutions - Cultivation: regional crop. Management: managed multistem (Describes the non-destructive management systems that are used in cultivation) [1-1].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Cuttings

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Columbian Giant Thorny, Giant Columbian bamboo, Columbian Timber Bamboo

Native Range

SOUTHERN AMERICA: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador,

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Guadua angustifolia	Clumping Bamboo. Guadua	Bamboo	25.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	5

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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This is the third in Plants For A Future's series of plant guides for food forests tailored to specific climate zones. Following volumes on temperate and tropical ecosystems, this book focuses on species suited to Mediterranean conditionsâ€”regions with hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, often facing the added challenge of climate change.

Guadua - Kunth