Common Name:

General Information

Dendrocalamus membranaceus is a large, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo with erect, woody stems 10 - 24 metres tall growing from short rhizomes. The stems can be 6 - 10cm in diameter with internodes 22 - 42cm long[, , ].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild as a source of food and materials for construction, weaving etc. It is increasingly grown in plantations due to demand for its thick stems[].
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam.

Habitat

An undergrowth plant in dry/moist tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests, montane rain forest and semi-evergreen rain forest at elevations up to 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is most commonly found in tropical mixed deciduous or monsoon forest at elevations below 1,000 metres[]. In northeastern Thailand, where it is native, the annual average minimum temperature is 21.7°c (ranging from 14.5 - 25.6°c) and average maximum temperature 33.3°c (ranging from 30.5 - 38.1°c). The average annual rainfall is 950mm with a dry season of about 5 months[].
Prefers a moist laterite or black limestone soil, but plants can tolerate arid and barren conditions[].
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.

Edible Uses

Young shoots are edible[]. A slightly bitter taste, but they are excellent for processing because they are nearly smooth and easy to handle[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has a large root system that helps to prevent soil erosion[].

Other Uses

The culms are used for building purposes, bamboo board, furniture, basketry, matting and handicrafts, and as props for fruit trees. They are said to be very promising for the production of paperpulp[, ].
Harvesting may start 3 - 4 years after a clump has begun to produce culms of maximum size. Only culms older than 3 years are harvestable and harvesting should never be done during the growing season. It is recommended to cut the culms lower than 30cm above the ground level, but not below the 2nd node. Debris and cut branches should always be removed completely[].

Propagation

Seed - many, if not all, members of this genus have a short viability and should be sown within 2 - 3 months of harvest. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position 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[].
Rhizome, culm and branch cuttings[]. The propagules are raised in the nursery and after they have produced roots they are planted out in the field before or during the first half of the rainy season[].

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