List of bamboo species facts for kids

Bamboo is a super cool group of woody plants that are actually part of the grass family, called Poaceae. There are more than 1,000 different types, or species, of bamboo! They come in all sizes, from tiny plants that live for just a year to giant timber bamboos that are like tall trees. Bamboo has been around for a very long time, evolving about 30 to 40 million years ago.

Bamboo plants grow in two main ways:

• Clumping bamboo (called sympodial) grows in a tight bunch, slowly spreading outwards.
• Running bamboo (called monopodial) sends out underground stems called rhizomes. These can pop up new shoots several meters away from the first plant!

In China, the word for bamboo is "竹" (zhu). This character looks like two leafy bamboo twigs. It's used in many other Chinese words and phrases, showing how important bamboo has been to Chinese culture for ages.

Amazing Bamboo Species

There are so many different kinds of bamboo, each with its own special features! Scientists group them into different families, like a big family tree. Here are some examples of the cool bamboo species you might find:

Clumping Bamboo Varieties

Clumping bamboos are great for gardens because they stay in one place and don't spread too much.

• Bambusa is a common type of clumping bamboo, often found in warm, tropical places. New shoots usually appear in the late fall.
  • Bambusa balcooa: This strong bamboo from India can grow up to 18 metres (59 ft) (about 60 feet) tall and is often used for building.
  • Bambusa bambos: Known as Giant Thorny bamboo, it can reach 30 metres (98 ft) (almost 100 feet)! It grows fast and has thorns on its lower branches. Its shoots are even edible.
  • Bambusa oldhamii: This is called Giant Timber bamboo. It grows straight and tall, up to 55 feet (17 m) (about 17 meters), with wide leaves.
  • Bambusa ventricosa: Also known as Buddha's Belly bamboo. When grown in a pot, its lower sections can swell up, looking like a Buddha's belly! It can grow up to 55 feet (17 m) (17 meters) tall.
  • Bambusa vulgaris: This is Common bamboo, growing up to 50 feet (15 m) (15 meters) tall. It's easy to grow and its stems can root easily.

• Fargesia: These are clumping bamboos from southwest China. They are usually small to medium-sized and can handle cold weather, but not too much heat.
  • Fargesia dracocephala: This bamboo is one of the main foods for the giant panda! It has pale red-brown coverings on its new stems.
  • Fargesia murielae: Called Umbrella bamboo, it can grow up to 16.5 feet (5.0 m) (5 meters) tall. It's known for its new shoots appearing in early May.
  • Fargesia nitida: Also known as Fountain bamboo, its stems can be dark gray or even black.

• Dendrocalamus: These are huge clumping bamboos from tropical areas.
  • Dendrocalamus giganteus: This is the Dragon bamboo, one of the biggest bamboos in the world! It can grow up to 100 feet (30 m) (30 meters) tall and 12 inches (300 mm) (30 cm) wide. Its leaves can be very long.
  • Dendrocalamus strictus: Called Male bamboo or Solid bamboo, it's very common in India. Its stems are sometimes solid, unlike most bamboos which are hollow. It's often used for fishing rods.

Running Bamboo Varieties

Running bamboos spread out more, so they need more space or barriers to keep them in check.

• Phyllostachys: Many running bamboos belong to this group.
  • Phyllostachys aurea: Known as Hedge bamboo or Golden bamboo, it can reach 30 feet (9.1 m) (9 meters) tall.
  • Phyllostachys aureosulcata: This is Yellow Groove bamboo, which can grow up to 45 feet (14 m) (14 meters) tall.
  • Phyllostachys edulis: This is the famous Moso bamboo from China, a giant runner that can grow up to 80 feet (24 m) (24 meters) tall and 6 inches (150 mm) (15 cm) wide!
  • Phyllostachys nigra: This is Black bamboo, known for its stems turning a beautiful dark color as they get older. It can grow up to 30 feet (9.1 m) (9 meters) tall.

• Arundinaria: These running bamboos are native to the United States.
  • Arundinaria gigantea: Called River Cane, it can grow up to 6.1 metres (20 ft) (20 feet) tall and can survive in very cold temperatures, even as low as -23°C (-9°F)!

• Chimonobambusa: These bamboos often have square stems or thorny nodes.
  • Chimonobambusa quadrangularis: This is Square bamboo, famous for its stems that are actually square with rounded corners! It can grow up to 25 feet (7.6 m) (7.6 meters) tall.