Common Name:

General Information

Dendrocalamus longispathus is an evergreen, clump-forming bamboo producing culms usually 10 - 20 metres tall[]. The culms are 6 - 12cm in diameter, with internodes 25 - 60cm long and a wall 12mm thick[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild, and also cultivated, mainly for its stems, which are used in basketry etc. A high yielding species, it has been recommended for large scale planting[]. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown in gardens[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist, lowland tropics and subtropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 27°c, but can tolerate 15 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,800 - 3,600mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 4,500mm[].
Grows best in full sun or light shade[]. Prefers a medium to heavy soil of at least moderate fertility[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 7[].
A cutting cycle of every three years is recommended for this species[].
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 - cooked[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The culms are used for making temporary constructions, baskets, furniture, mats and containers[, ]. This species is generally used as a source of pulp for the manufacture of paper[].
The culms have been found to be an ideal material for the manufacture of good quality tooth picks[].
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 rates of 33 - 50% have been achieved in trials, with the seed starting to sprout within 2 - 8 days[]. 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[].
Culm cuttings, taken with two nodes[].

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