16. Guadua angustifolia Kunth

Local names

Colombian timber bamboo,
Colombian giant thorny.

General description

Guadua angustifolia is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 25 m by 5m at a fast rate. It is a species of clumping bamboo. The culms of G. angustifolia are on average 15-25 m tall and 9-13 cm in diameter. Guadua angustifolia, each node has an upper and lower whitish to brown coloured band that consist of short stiff hairs. These bands gradually lose their color as the culm matures.
Guadua angustifolia has two types of branches which are each performing specific functions; the basal branches and the apical branches. Basal branches are located in the first quarter of the culm (from node 3 to 18). Apical branches start to develop from the middle part of the culm, approximately at node 38. Usually a total of 36 branches develop at this part of the culm gradually shortening their length towards the apex forming a “fish bone”. Apical branches don’t have thorns but bear abundant foliage. Fully matured culms are recognized by the absence of these white nodal bands. In this part of the culm, the internode lengths are constant and do not develop branches. Culm sheaths fall of early.

Habit and Habitat

Tree form. Guadua angustifolia can grow in all tropical life zones, but reaches its best development in very humid lower montane, and very humid subtropical forests. Guadua angustifolia prefers alluvial soils that are rich in volcanic ash with a moderate fertility and good drainage.

Distribution

Central to South America

Uses

Used for house construction.