Common Name: Tinwa Bamboo

General Information

Tinwa bamboo is a clump-forming, evergreen bamboo with short rhizomes. The erect, thin-walled culms can be 10 - 30 metres tall and 50 - 75mm in diameter with internodes 30 - 45cm long[, ]..
The plant is widely harvested from the wild for its useful canes. It is also sometimes cultivated, both within and outside its native range, both for its canes and as an ornamental.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.

Habitat

Mixed deciduous forests, often growing with teak[, ]. It is vigorous in moister forests but stunted in the driest forests. Characteristic of low, hilly country, it thrives best on well-drained loams and usually grows in large stands[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in the dappled shade of woodland. Prefers a moist, but well-drained soil[].
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. This species, however, flowers sporadically in most years, but does not then generally produce good seed[]. It also flowers gregariously at intervals of several years, at which time good seed is usually produced[].

Edible Uses

The canes are highly esteemed as a vessel for cooking glutinous rice[]. The green canes are used and, the fact of their being green and the presence of the fluid within, seems to render the fire incapable of burning these wooden cooking-pots[]. The bamboo casing also acts as a convenient container in which the cooked food can be carried whilst on journeys[].
The internodes of 1-year-old culms are used as casings for 'khaao laam', a popular Thai dessert comprising a mixture of glutinous rice, adzuki beans, coconut milk, sugar and salt. After grilling or baking, the whole dish is eaten, including the bamboo casing, which adds a specific fragrance to the meal[].

Young shoots - cooked[]. A bitter flavour[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The canes are widely used in construction, (as house posts, walling mats, shingles etc) and as fishing rods. They are easily split into thin strips which are used for basketry, mat making etc. The outer green layer can be split very finely and is used to make handicrafts. The culms are also used as a raw material for paperpulp[, ].

Propagation

Seed -

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