When growing in pots or in poor conditions the plant is dwarfed and develops swollen internodes. It can then easily be confused with Bambusa ventricosa McClure[].

Common Name:

General Information

Bambusa tuldoides is an erect, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo growing 7 - 15 metres tall. The thin-walled canes are around 50mm in diameter with internodes 30 - 50cm long.
The plant is often cultivated around villages in China, where it is harvested for food, medicine and as a source of materials. It is also frequently cultivated as an ornamental, often as a hedge. When cultivated in pots or under unfavourable circumstances, the plant remains small with swollen internodes ('Buddha's belly bamboo') and is thus much treasured in bonsai and horticulture[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Vietnam.

Habitat

Low hills and river banks[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeding in lowland tropical and subtropical areas, the plant has been known to survive short periods with temperatures as low as -7°c[].

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 generally lives for about 50 years before flowering and then usually dies[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots are edible[]. The young shoots have an average fresh weight of 938g before peeling, 137g after peeling; the edible portion is 15%. They have a bitter flavour, and are creamy and tender when cooked[]. The young shoots are harvested as they emerge from the soil.

Medicinal

Shavings of the culm cortex ('chuk yu') are used in Chinese medicine in the treatment of febrile diseases, haematuria, epistaxis and infantile epilepsy[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Plants can be grown to form an effective screen and hedge[].

Other Uses

The culms are used for farm equipment and as punting poles and scaffolding[].
The split canes are used in weaving utensils and handicrafts[].

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 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[].
Plants can be propagated vegetatively by rhizome, culm and branch cuttings. The propagules are raised in a nursery and after they have produced roots and developed rhizomes they are planted out in the field during the rainy season in pits filled with a mixture of compost and soil[].

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