31. Pseudoxytenanthera stocksii (Munro) Naithani, J

Local names

Maharashtra - Chivari, Mes
Karnataka - Konda, Oor - shema.

General description

A medium-sized bamboo. Culms up to 9 m tall, internodes 15-30 cm long and 2.5-4 cm broad; branches few at the node. Culm-sheaths 15-22 cm long and 7-17 cm broad, striate, silvery shining within, covered outside with matted deciduous reddish hairs mixed with small white hairs, imperfect blade. Leaves 10-20 cm long and 1-2 cm broad, linear-lanceolate, rounded. Inflorescence a large panicle of spicate heads with many closely packed spinous spikelets; heads about 2.5 cm diameter supported by rounded chaffy bracts. Spikelets 1-1.2 cm long, narrow, glabrous, mucronate, fertile florets many and mixed up with a few sterile. 2 hermaphrodite flowers. Stamens long, exserted; anthers short, acute; ovary ovoid, hairy; style long; stigma 1 plumose. Caryopsis not known. Flowering was observed recently in 1994 at Silent Valley, Kerala.

Habit and Habitat

Tree form. This species is mostly confined to the banks of streams and requires a well drained deep loamy soil.

Distribution

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa

Uses

The culms are used for construction purposes, umbrella handles and basket making.

‹ ›