Common Name: Common Bamboo

General Information

Bambusa vulgaris is an erect, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo growing 15 - 20 metres tall. The thin-walled, hollow canes are 40 - 120mm in diameter with internodes 20 - 45cm long[, ].
The plant has a very wide range of uses and is a very important component of the local economy in many areas of the tropics. It is widely cultivated in the tropics and subtropics both as an ornamental plant and for its many uses[]. It adds a particularly tropical forest appearance where it is planted, though it needs a lot of space to spread[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Southeastern Asia - India to Indonesia.

Habitat

Riversides and open forests in Yunnan[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Bambusa vulgaris is a plant of the moist, lowland tropics - it succeeds at elevations up to 1,200 metres but culms become progressively smaller as you rise beyond 1,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 9 - 32°c[]. The stems die back to the ground if exposed to frost, but if the frost was not too severe the plant may resprout from the rhizomes[]. Plants have been known to tolerate short-lived temperatures down to -3°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,500mm[]. It grows best in areas with year-round rainfall, but has been known to succeed even in areas with severe dry seasons - though it is likely to become defoliated until the rains return[].
Prefers a moist, fertile, humus rich soil in full sun or dappled shade in warm humid conditions[, ]. Plants are quite tolerant and can succeed in a range of soil types and conditions, including degraded soils containing tin[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
Widely grown throughout the tropics for its many uses and as an ornamental, the plant sometimes escapes from cultivation and becomes naturalized. It forms extensive monospecific stands, excluding other plant species[]. It is classified as 'Invasive' in some Pacific Islands[, ].
Harvesting normally starts 3 years after planting with full production being reached after 6 - 8 years. Selective cutting of stems 2-year-old or older is recommended. In tropical Africa it has been recommended to selectively harvest one half to two-thirds of the adult stems on a clump every 3 - 4 years. Young shoots for consumption should be harvested in the first week of their emergence[].
Annual yields of up to 20 tonnes (dry weight) of the canes per hectare have been achieved[].
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[].
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. Flowering is uncommon in Bambusa vulgaris. When a stem flowers, it produces a large number of flowers, but no fruits. Low pollen viability due to irregular meiosis seems to be one of the reasons for the absence of fruiting. Eventually the stem dies, but the clump usually survives[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[, ]. They can be eaten with rice[]. The shoots are 5 - 9cm in diameter[]. The young shoots are harvested as they emerge from the soil. The shoots must be boiled and drained several times to release an irritant contained in the tissues[].

A decoction of the growing point of the plant, mixed with the roots of Job’s tears (Coix lacryma-jobi) gives a refreshing drink[].

Medicinal

The stems are used as a remedy for rheumatism[]. The shoots are used to treat abscesses and malaria[].

The bark is astringent and emmenagogue[].

The leaves are used to treat heart problems and malaria. They are boiled and used in a bath to ease fevers[]. A decoction of boiled leaves is used by women as a 'clean-out' for dilation and curettage, and also to aid the expulsion of the afterbirth[]. The leaves are boiled as a hot tea , which induces profuse perspiration in treating a fever[].

The sap is used to treat fever and haematuria[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Used for shelterbelts and erosion control on sloping ground and stream banks[].

Planted as a barrier and marker along boundaries[].

Other Uses

The split stems are used for making brooms, fences, roofs, roof tiles, baskets etc[].

The acrid smoke produced from burning the stem is used as a mosquito repellent[].

The stems serve as poles to support banana plants[].

The working and machining properties of the stems are poor. The stems are not straight, not easy to split, and inflexible, but they are thick-walled, initially strong and durable. The canes have a high starch content, making them more susceptible to powder post beetle and dry wood termite than many other bamboos (such as Dendrocalamus giganteus), therefore they are not normally used for long term constructions[, , , ]. They are used for light construction, fences, tool handles, handicrafts, irrigation pipes, lattices, bridges, housing, furniture, boat masts etc. They are a good source of pulp for making paper[, , ].
The canes are used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - not normally produced for this species. Bamboo seed needs to be surface sown in containers as soon as it is ripe, preferably at a temperature around 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Prick out the seedlings into containers when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a lightly shaded place until large enough to plant out. Plants only flower at intervals of many years and so seed is rarely available.
Division as new growth commences[]. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more[].
The plant is remarkably easy to propagate vegetatively. Culms are often used for boating poles and, because they are easily available, the poles are often thrown away after being used. If such poles have been freshly cut from a living plant, the piece of culm may survive, produce roots and thus establish a new plant along the river bank[]. New clumps may also be established from pieces of culms that are used for fences, props and stakes, as well as from posts set on the river bank for mooring boats.

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