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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Ochlandra spp is a BAMBOO growing to 6 m (19ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. 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

Many. See individual species.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None Known

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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Other Uses

Some species for example Ochlandra travancorica have agroforestry Uses e.g. The plant is often grown along paddy fields, where it acts as a soil binder[317]. The soil under this species in general is dark brown, acidic, sandy loam with granular structure, high porosity, good aggregate stability and with high water holding capacity. A comparison of soil under O. Travancorica with other species from natural forests reveals that this species is very efficient for soil conservation[361]. Other Uses of Ochlandra travancorica include the leaves are used for thatching[317, 361]. The culms are in demand for making mats and baskets, umbrella handles, fishing rods, handicraft, and for making the walls of huts[361]. The mats made from reeds are used for making 'Bamboo ply'[361]. The culms are one of the most important sources of long-fibre raw material for paper pulp[317]. The shoots, when 6 to 9 months old, constitute a splendid paper material[361, 439]. The fibre has been pronounced superior to esparto but the expense of chemicals required in the process make it uneconomic[439]. 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: tropical. Humidity: humid. Species include Ochlandra beddomei, Ochlandra ebracteata - India reed bamboo. Ochlandra keralensis. Ochlandra scriptoria - reed bamboo. Ochlandra setigera. Ochlandra sivagiriana. Ochlandra soderstromiana. Ochlandra spirostylis. Ochlandra stridula - Ceylon reed bamboo, Sri Lanka reed bamboo. Ochlandra talbotii. Ochlandra travancorica - elephant bamboo, India reed bamboo. Ochlandra wightii. 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

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Plant Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as they are ripe. They are sown in nursery beds filled with sand and soil mixture in partial shade initially for two months[361]. Seedlings can be transplanted into their permanent positions after a period of one year. Rhizomes can be separated from the culms during the onset of the monsoon and used for field planting. Two-noded culm cuttings of two year old plants treated with NAA or coumarin by cavity method and planted horizontally in nursery beds during summer gives 50 per cent rooting[361]. After one year, the rooted cuttings can be transplanted to the field[361]. During field planting, many plantlets are obtained from the rooted cuttings by separating the sprouts along with the rhizome[361].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Elephant grass, Ochlandra beddomei, Ochlandra ebracteata - India reed bamboo. Ochlandra keralensis. Ochlandra scriptoria - reed bamboo. Ochlandra setigera. Ochlandra sivagiriana. Ochlandra soderstromiana. Ochlandra spirostylis. Ochlandra stridula - Ceylon reed bamboo, Sri Lanka reed bamboo. Ochlandra talbotii. Ochlandra travancorica - elephant bamboo, India reed bamboo. Ochlandra wightii.

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Endemic to the Western Ghats (India), except for one species from Sri Lanka.

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 itâ€™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
Ochlandra spp.	Elephant grass, Clumping Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	4

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.

Ochlandra spp - Various