26. Dendrocalamus latiflorus Munro

Local names

Taiwan Giant Bamboo, Sweet Bamboo

General description

Dendrocalamuslatiflorusis a beautiful bamboo with light green culms, tidy upright growth habit and large leaves. The main feature of this bamboo is the sweet tasting shoots. It is an evergreen Bamboo growing up to 10-20 m at a fast rate.It is densely tufted, sympodial, and evergreen. Its culm is erect with a pendulous tip and reaches a height of up to 25 m and diameter of up to 20 cm.Culm internodes are between 20-70 cm long and have a pale green color.

Habit and Habitat

Tree form. Humid subtropical conditions, at elevations up to 1,000 m and can tolerate temperatures as low as -4°C. It prefers high rainfall and grows best in moist, sandy loam fertile soils.

Distribution

Southern China, Myanmar, Vietnam

Uses

Culms for house construction, agricultural implements, water pipes, basketry, rafts for fishing, woven wares, furniture, chopsticks, bamboo boards, and paper making. The leaves are used to make hats, to cook rice, to make roofs for boats, and as packing material. Shoots are consumed as a vegetable and are of very good quality.

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