23. Bambusa ventricosa McClure

Local names

Buddha Belly

General description

Bambusa ventricosai is a decorative evergreen bamboo noted for the swollen or bulging internodes of its canes resembling the fat belly of the Buddha. Deep dark green, the culms, 2.5 cm wide, are smooth and glossy, maturing to yellow-green. Upright in habit at first, the canes tend to arch under the weight of the heavy foliage of long, dark green leaves, up to 18cm. Grows up to 12-16 m tall and 9-12 m wide in its native environment. Will grow only 5-8 ft. tall in containers.

Habit and Habitat

Tree form. Subtropical regions, Low hills and river banks.

Distribution

Vietnam, China

Uses

Young shoots are edible. Shavings of the culm cortex are used in Chinese medicine in the treatment offebrile diseases, haematuria, epistaxis and infantile epilepsy. It can be grown to form an effective screen and hedge. The split canes are used in weaving utensils and handicrafts.

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