Common Name:

General Information

Thyrsostachys oliveri is an evergreen, perennial, clumping bamboo with short rhizomes. The erect culms can be 15 - 25 metres long; 50 - 70mm in diameter; with internodes 40 - 60cm long.
The culms are valued as a local source of material for construction. The seed is also eaten locally. In Thailand, the young shoots are harvested commercially for the production of steamed bamboo shoots, which are canned and exported[]. The plant is sometimes grown in villages and is also introduced in some parts of India[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Myanmar, Thailand.

Habitat

Forests on low hills, open areas; at elevations of 500 - 700 metres in southern China[]. Moist hill forest; mixed or teak forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[]. A bitter flavour[]. The young shoots are commonly eaten in Thailand[].

Seeds[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An excellent bamboo for construction purposes[, ], the culms are also used for reinforcing concrete blocks, basketry, handicrafts, broom handles etc[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - when stored at room temperature, the seeds gradually lose viability over a period of 12 - 18 months[]. In cool storage at 2 - 4°c, good viability is retained for at least two years[]. The seed is best sown fresh, when it germinates within days, with 90 - 95% of the seeds sprouting[].
Rhizome cuttings. The cuttings are taken from 1-year-old culms and comprise a length of rhizome with roots plus a culm that can be up to 1 metre long. This is planted in a nursery for 2 - 3 months and then transplanted to the field in the rainy season. In general, 10 rhizome cuttings can be taken from a 5 - 6-year-old clump, retaining 4 - 5 one-year-old culms in the clump[].

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