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Summary
Also known as Dragon Bamboo, Giant Bamboo or Dendrocalamus giganteus is one of the largest, dense-clumping bamboo species that is native to Southeast Asia. It reaches up to 40 m in height. It is greyish-green in colour and it grows in clumps. The culms are straight and thick-walled with a smooth surface. Young shoots are blackish purple in colour and are edible when cooked. Large culm sheaths are used to make hats and for many other purposes. Strips of the canes are used for weaving mats and baskets.
Physical Characteristics
Dendrocalamus_giganteus is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 30 m (98ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. 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, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Bambusa gigantea Wall. ex Munro Sinocalamus giganteus (Munro) Keng f.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
The young shoots are edible[ 272 ]. Creamy and tender when cooked, though they are not widely consumed[ 303 ]. They have a fair canning quality[ 303 ].
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.
The siliceous secretion of the culm is considered aphrodisiac and tonic[ 272 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Agroforestry Uses: Can be planted to protect the soil against erosion[ 303 ]. Other Uses: The large culm sheaths are used to make hats[ 303 ]. Strips of the canes are used for weaving mats and baskets[ 272 ]. The large culms are used for many purposes, including construction, scaffolding and rural housing, water pipes, buckets, boat masts, matting, woven wares and paper production[ 272 , 303 ]. The thick-walled culms are especially good for the production of bamboo boards, which are ideal material for room decoration and other practical interior applications such as walls, ceilings, floors, doors, shelves, etc[ 303 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
A plant of the humid tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 27°c, but can tolerate 15 - 34°c[ 418 ]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,800 - 3,600mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 4,500mm[ 418 ]. Succeeds in full sun or in light shade[ 418 ]. Prefers a rich, alluvial soil[ 303 ]. Succeeds in most soils of at lest moderate fertility[ 418 ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 4.5 - 7.5[ 418 ]. Offsets consisting of young shoots with small portions of attached rhizome produce small culms in the first year[ 310 ]. Subsequent culms increase in size each consecutive year until, after 7 years, they have attained a girth of about 25 cm and a height of about 12 metres[ 310 ]. They are then harvested. However, culms only attain full size ultimately at an age of 15 - 16 years[ 310 ]. Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world[ K ]. At first, the growth of an individual young shoot is very slow, quickening gradually during a period of 4 - 6 weeks until the culm is about 4 metres tall. Then maximum growth is attained and maintained for several weeks (e.g. On average, 32 cm per day), after which growth gradually decreases until it stops when full height is attained at the age of 3.5 months[ 310 ]. Rapid growth seems to be induced by high relative humidity, irrespective of light and temperature, causing a high turgescence in the culm[ 310 ]. Competition between culms in a clump may cause 'abortive shoots', affecting about 50% of all new shoots. Young abortion-prone shoots usually grow within 20 cm from a culm, attaining about 13 cm height before dying. Such young shoots are suitable for vegetable use[ 303 ] Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. This species is reputed to have a cycle of around 40 years between major flowerings[ 361 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - seldom available because the plant only flowers at intervals of many years. When it is available, sow the seed in containers and only just cover. Germination usually takes place readily. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Plant out into permanent positions when 20cm tall. Plants may remain in their low-growing juvenile state for several years - cutting the culms to the ground level can stimulate taller adult growth[ 200 ]. Normally propagated by clump division[ 303 ]. Propagation by culm and branch cuttings is possible, although difficult[ 303 ]. Artificial ifiduction of roots before taking the cuttings is possible and reasonably successful[ 303 ].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Bhalu bans, Buloh semilang, Kyo-Chiku, Russei prei, Vai-mau, Wabo, Worra, dhungre bans, giant bamboo
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Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Burma, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Ghana, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Kenya,Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Reunion, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, West Africa, Zimbabwe,
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.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Status: Least Concern
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.
Expert comment
Author
Munro.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
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Subject : Dendrocalamus_giganteus
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