Dendrocalamus membranaceus

Bamboo Species

17 Oct

Dendrocalamus membranaceus also known as Waya Bamboo and formerly classified as “Bambusa membranacea” is a medium-sized tropical clumping bamboo originating from Southeast Asia. This bamboo species is a good source for paper pulp and has edible shoots.

Plant Info
Scientific Name	Dendrocalamus membranaceus
Synonyms	Bambusa membranacea
Common Names	Waya Bamboo, White Bamboo
Family	Poaceae
Tribe	Bambuseae
Genus	Dendrocalamus
Height	10 - 18 m
Diameter	6 - 10 cm
Growth Habit	Clumping
Climate	Tropical - Subtropical
Hardiness	-4°C
Edibility	(3 of 5)
Flowering Cycle	18-20 years
Origin	Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
Uses	Construction, Furniture, Basketry, Matting, Handicrafts, Laminated Boards, Handicrafts, Paper Pulp

Culms

Dendrocalamus membranaceus is a moderate-sized, strong bamboo forming loose clump. Culms are straight and usually between 20-24 m high and 6-10 cm in diameter. Internodes are 22-38 cm long and covered with a white powdery deciduous scurf when young, but green on maturity. Nodes are strongly ringed and basal nodes show rootlets.

Branches

Several to many clustered branches with 1-3 larger dominant branches. The upper branches are slender and bare many leaves.

Leaves

Lance-shaped leaves which are on average between 12-25 cm long and 1.5-2.5 cm broad.

Seeds

Flowering of this species was last reported in 1992 and 1994 from North-Eastern India.

Habitat

Dendrocalamus membranaceus prefers laterite and black limestone soils, and is most found in tropical mixed deciduous or monsoon forest below 1,000 m altitude.

Uses

This bamboo is used for building purposes, furniture, bamboo board, agricultural implements, slat traps, matting, chopsticks, basketry, handicrafts, and as props for fruit trees. It is also one of the most promising species for pulp. Shoots are edible and consumed as a vegetable.