Guadua
34 Species
The Guadua genus contains the largest bamboo species in tropical America. Currently, 34 species of Guadua have been recognized, although experts firmly believe that there are many more yet to be discovered or studied. Each of these species presents unique characteristics that are used in various fields, but only one species (Guadua sarcocarpa) is recorded to be consumed as a vegetable.
From the tropical zones of Mexico to Argentina, Guadua grows natively in all countries of Latin America (except Chile and the Caribbean islands). Some of the most well-known species include Guadua amplexifolia, Guadua angustifolia, Guadua chacoensis, Guadua glomerata, and Guadua paniculata. Each of these species adapts to different climates and growth conditions, making them a versatile choice for various applications.
Guadua angustifolia is one of the most common and widely used species. It is characterized by its hollow and large stem, capable of reaching heights of up to 30 meters. This species is valued for its strength and durability, and is used in the construction of homes, bridges, furniture, and other architectural projects. Another outstanding species is Guadua chacoensis, which originates in the centre of South America (Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina). This species is also valued for its strength and is used in the construction of sturdy and long-lasting structures.
Below is the list of all accepted Guadua species. Please note that some Guadua species also have varieties such as Guadua angustifolia var. bicolor or Guadua angustifolia var. nigra, which are genetically almost identical to the original species but with slight physical differences (for example, striped culms and/or leaves).
In Colombia, 4 biotypes of Guadua angustifolia are also distinguished, namely: Cebolla, Macana, Castilla, and Cotuda. The biotypes are of the same species; however, they develop unique characteristics such as culms with thicker walls, shorter internodes, etc., as they grow in different soil and climate conditions, making them suitable for specific uses.
List of all accepted Guadua species
| Species | Origin | Diameter | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guadua aculeata | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama | ∅ 150 mm | ⇑ 25 m |
| Guadua amplexifolia | Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela | ∅ 100 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua angustifolia | Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela | ∅ 150 mm | ⇑ 30 m |
| Guadua calderoniana | Brazil | ∅ 35 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua chacoensis | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay | ∅ 150 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua chaparensis | Bolivia | ∅ 120 mm | ⇑ 25 m |
| Guadua ciliata | Brazil, Venezuela | ∅ 20 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua glomerata | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Venezuela | ∅ 45 mm | ⇑ 12 m |
| Guadua incana | Colombia | ∅ 90 mm | ⇑ 18 m |
| Guadua inermis | Mexico | ⇑ 17 m | |
| Guadua latifolia | French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela | ∅ 70 mm | ⇑ 11 m |
| Guadua leonardoana | Brazil | ∅ 100 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua longifolia | Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua | ∅ 50 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua lynnclarkiae | Peru | ∅ 170 mm | ⇑ 27 m |
| Guadua maclurei | Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | ∅ 40 mm | ⇑ 15 m |
| Guadua macrospiculata | Brazil, Colombia | ∅ 40 mm | ⇑ 15 m |
| Guadua macrostachya | Brazil, French Guiana | ∅ 70 mm | ⇑ 18 m |
| Guadua maculosa | Brazil | ∅ 12 mm | |
| Guadua magna | Brazil | ∅ 130 mm | ⇑ 23 m |
| Guadua paniculata | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela | ∅ 70 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua paraguayana | Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay | ∅ 40 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua refracta | Brazil | ⇑ 12 m | |
| Guadua sarcocarpa | Bolivia, Brazil, Peru | ∅ 100 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua superba | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname | ∅ 150 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua tagoara | Argentina, Brazil | ∅ 80 mm | ⇑ 12 m |
| Guadua takahashiae | Peru | ∅ 140 mm | ⇑ 15 m |
| Guadua trinii | Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay | ∅ 50 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua tuxtlensis | Mexico | ∅ 140 mm | ⇑ 20 m |
| Guadua uncinata | Colombia, Ecuador | ∅ 60 mm | ⇑ 8 m |
| Guadua variegata | Argentina | ∅ 35 mm | ⇑ 10 m |
| Guadua velutina | Mexico | ∅ 100 mm | ⇑ 15 m |
| Guadua venezuelae | Venezuela | ||
| Guadua virgata | Brazil | ∅ 7 mm | ⇑ 7 m |
| Guadua weberbaueri | Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru | ∅ 60 mm | ⇑ 18 m |
Source: Kew Science
