There is disagreement over the native range for this species and whether more than one distinct species should be recognized. One report says that according to older literature Gigantochloa nigrociliata also occurs in India and on the Andaman Islands, but that these reports most probably refer to other species and that, so far, Gigantochloa nigrociliata has only been found in Indonesia and Thailand[]. However, other reports, including the Flora of China[] report this species to have a wider range including India and china[].

Common Name:

General Information

Gigantochloa nigrociliata is a perennial, evergreen, loosely clump-forming bamboo that can grow 15 - 20 metres tall. The erect, thin-walled, woody culms are 30 - 60mm in diameter with internodes 20 - 35cm long.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China. India, Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia.

Habitat

Usually found along streams and on lower slopes; at elevations up to 600 metres, occasionally to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	18.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,400 metres. It is found in areas with an mean annual rainfall in excess of 3,000mm[].
It grows well on latosols[].
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. 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 pattern can vary - sometimes flowering is sporadic, with plants flowering annually and not dying; at other times it is gregarious with all the plants in a specific species coming into flower at the same time. This species flowers quite often, after which the clump dies. Natural regeneration is through seed which is produced abundantly[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked. Somewhat bitter, they are sually eaten after being fermented in running water or river mud[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Although not long-lasting, the culms are used in the construction of rafters, fences and watch houses[].The culms are split and used to make household utensils and basketry[].

Propagation

Seed -

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