Common Name:

General Information

Bambusa polymorpha is a clump-forming, usually evergreen bamboo with erect stems that curve outward at the top. It grows 15 - 25 metres tall with canes that are up to 15cm in diameter[, ]. Plants can become deciduous when growing under drier conditions[].
A very useful bamboo, it is of major importance in rural areas of its natural range[]. Production of the culms should be considerable in Myanmar, where it is the major source for bamboo constructions, and also in Bangladesh where it is an important source for paper pulp and board[]. It is often cultivated for its stems and is traded locally[, ]. The plant is also grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - northeastern India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitat

Abundant throughout the more humid types of mixed deciduous forest, particularly on the lower slopes and in well-drained valleys. It flourishes best and reaches its largest dimensions on deep fertile loams[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Bamboo
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 28°c, but can tolerate 9 - 32°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,500mm[].
Prefers a position in light shade, tolerating full sun[]. Grows best on a deep, fertile, well-drained, loam soils[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5[].
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. The life cycle of this species is estimated at 60 years. It normally flowers gregariously for about 2 - 3 years, after which the clump dies[].
Natural regeneration is through seed, which is produced abundantly. A seedling needs more than 10 years to develop into a mature clump[].
In India, some 6-year-old clumps, developed from rhizome cuttings, contained on average 80 culms that were 11 metres tall and 17cm in diameter[].
Harvesting of culms may start when clumps are more than 5 years old. Culms to be harvested should be older than 1.5 years; for construction purposes, 3 - 4-year-old culms are preferred. For a sustainable yield, at least 8 - 10 old culms should be left in the clump[].
To protect natural bamboo forests, proper harvesting regulations should be established[].

Edible Uses

The young shoots are edible but are reputed to taste very bitter[]. The plant yields excellent sweet shoots, but sometimes they are regarded as bitter[]. The young shoots are harvested as they emerge from the soil.

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Commonly associated in the wild with teak (Tectona grandis), the plant is seen as an indicator of deep, rich, well-drained soils on which teak also develops well[, ].

Other Uses

Culms of Bambusa polymorpha are used for construction (walls, floors, roofs), matting, handicrafts, paper- and board-making[].
The natural durability of Bambusa polymorpha is poor. Untreated, exposed culms are destroyed within 19 months by termites, fungi and borers. Traditionally, harvested culms are submerged for 10 - 20 days in running water and air dried before being used. Green culms lose about 40% of their weight when air dried[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in containers as soon as it is ripe, preferably at a temperature around 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination of around 40%[] 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, at around 30 - 50cm tall[]. 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[].
Rhizome cuttings are preferably taken from 2-year-old culms; their survival rate is almost 100%. For larger plantations, rhizome cuttings are not practical because too many mother clumps have to be damaged[].
Branch cuttings, planted under humid conditions, have been successful in Bangladesh (90% success rate); induction of roots and rhizomes on branches still on the living plant had a 80% success rate[].

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