06. Bambusa cacharensis R. B. Majumdar

Local names

Assamese: Bathua-banh/ Bethua-banh

General description

Perennial tall bamboo, like B. tulda; young shoots are without white powdery excretions below the culm-sheaths. Culm-sheaths 12-15 cm long and 25-27 cm broad, sheath-blades orange-yellow and spreading at right angles to the axis; covered on the back with chocolate-brown sharp spicular hairs; blade with wavy auricles with thick rigid cilia on the margins and short dense hairs outside on the body. Inflorescence panicle occupying the whole culm; spikelets aggregated at the nodes of the ultimate branchlets, 3-3.5 cm long and 3-6 flowered, rachilla internodes articulated; florets 10-15 mm long, glossy green. Can be easily spotted in the field due to the coloured reflexed blades of the culm-sheaths. Fruit: Pericarp adherent with caryopsis.

Habit and Habitat

Tree form. Tropical areas. Commonly found in the Brahmaputra Valley and in the Cachar Hills of Assam.

Distribution

Bangladesh, India- Assam

Uses

Construction, Scaffolding, Furniture, Basketry, Mats, Household Utensils, Handicrafts, Paper Pulp, Wind Break.

‹ ›