BAMBUSA VALIDA

Description

From Bamboos of Thailand, Native and Introduced Species (Poaceae: Bambusoideae) — An Annotated Compilation, by D. Ohrnberger (Khun Dieter – คุณดีเท่อร์)

"Habit: Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short; pachymorph. Culms erect; nodding at the tip; 1200–1600 cm long; 80–120 mm diam.; woody. Culm-internodes terete; hollow; 20–25 cm long; distally glabrous, or pubescent. Culm-nodes swollen; pubescent. Lateral branches dendroid. Branch complement several; with 1 branch dominant. Culm-sheaths deciduous; 18–22 cm long; 1.5 times as long as wide; coriaceous; hispid; with appressed hairs; with dark brown hairs; convex at apex; auriculate; setose on shoulders. Culm-sheath ligule 4–5 mm high; ciliate. Culm-sheath blade lanceolate, or narrowly ovate; erect; pubescent. Leaves cauline; 5–8 per branch. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; hairs tawny. Leaf-sheath oral hairs lacking. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1 mm long. Collar with external ligule. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades oblong; 8–30 cm long; 20–65 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy abaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate. Inflorescence: Flowering specimens unknown." — Kew GrassBase, accessed 19 Oct. 2020 [#1335].

Synonyms: Dendro­calamopsis valida Q. H. Dai; Dendrocalamus validus hort. US.

Origin

THAILAND: introduced from the USA, in cultivation, rare. — CHINA (South): Guangxi, in cultivation in Nanning; cf. notes in Flora of China under Bambusa, "Taxa incertae sedis".

Uses

Shoots very delicious, one of the best species for commercial shoot production in subtropical climates. Culms may be used for construction, mainly if somewhat bent poles are needed, e.g., large bent beams for gates and halls. Plants have ornamental value (reddish shoot, vivid non-straight habit, large leaves), excellent for landscaping and larger gardens.

Cultivation

Easy and fast-growing; in part shade to full sun, thrives well in heavy, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Tolerates some flooding.

References

Bibliography of Bamboos of Thailand