Bambusa bambos

Bambusa bambos

The giant thorny bamboo or Indian thorny bamboo, spiny bamboo, thorny bamboo (Bambusa bambos (L.) Voss) is a shrub species belonging to the Poaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Subkingdom Tracheobionta,
Spermatophyta superdivision,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Liliopsida,
Subclass Commelinidae,
Cyperales Order,
Poaceae family,
Subfamily Bambusoideae,
Bambuseae tribe,
Subtribe Bambusinae.
Genus Bambusa,
Species B. bambos.
The term is basionym:
– Arundo bambos L..
The terms are synonyms:
– Arundarbor agrestis (Lour.) Kuntze;
– Arundarbor arundinacea (Retz.) Kuntze;
– Arundarbor bambos (L.) Kuntze;
– Arundarbor maxima (Poir.) Kuntze;
– Arundarbor orientalis (Nees) Kuntze;
– Arundo agrestis Lour.;
– Arundo arborea Mill.;
– Arundo bambos L.;
– Arundo bambu Lour.;
– Arundo excelsa Salisb.;
– Arundo indica Noronha;
– Arundo maxima Lour.;
– Bambos agrestis (Lour.) Poir.;
– Bambos arundinacea Retz.;
– Bambos arundo C.C.Gmel.;
– Bambos arundo J.F.Gmel.;
– Bambos bambos (L.) W.F.Wright;
– Bambos bambos (L.) Wight;
– Bambos maxima Poir.;
– Bambos quinqueflora Stokes;
– Bambusa agrestis (Lour.) Steud.;
– Bambusa arundinacea (Retz.) Willd.;
– Bambusa arundinacea Retz.;
– Bambusa arundinacea var. gigantea Bahadur;
– Bambusa arundinacea var. orientalis (Nees) Gamble;
– Bambusa arundo J.F.Gmel.;
– Bambusa arundo Wight;
– Bambusa arundo Wight ex Steud.;
– Bambusa bambos f. gigantea (Bahadur) S.S.Jain & S.Biswas;
– Bambusa bambos var. gigantea (Bahadur) Benn. & R.C.Gaur;
– Bambusa bambusa Huth;
– Bambusa indica André;
– Bambusa maxima (Poir.) Steud.;
– Bambusa neesiana Arn.;
– Bambusa neesiana Arn. ex Munro;
– Bambusa orientalis Nees;
– Barbusa bambos (L.) Voss;
– Gigantochloa maxima (Poir.) Kurz;
– Ischurochloa arundinacea var. orientalis (Nees) Buse;
– Nastus arundiaceus (Retz.) Coyte;
– Nastus arundinaceus (Retz.) Sm..

Etymology –
The term bamboo comes from the Indian-Malay vernacular bamboo / bambu.
The specific epithet bambos proposes the same vernacular origin of the name used among the Indian-Malay populations.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Bambusa bambos is a large grass (Poacea) native to southern Asia and precisely to an area that includes India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Indochina. This plant has naturalized in the Seychelles, Central America, the West Indies, Java, Malaysia, the Moluccas and the Philippines.
Its natural habitat in which it is most abundant is that of mixed moist deciduous forests, while it is not so common in mixed dry deciduous forests and semi-evergreen forests; this plant grows best along river valleys and other humid conditions, on hills at altitudes up to 1,000 meters.

Description –
Bambusa bambos is a rhizomatous evergreen plant which forms many cylindrical and robust culms, strongly branched and with dense growth, of considerable size, which reaches a height of 10-35 m. The culms are hollow between the nodes with walls 1-2,5 cm thick or more near the base, and 20-40 cm long internodes of a glossy intense green colour; the nodes are slightly prominent and the lower ones have numerous aerial roots.
The culms are not straight, but are armed with strong curved spines. They are bright green, turning brownish green when dry, and the young shoots are deep purple. It also has branches scattered from the base.
In the juvenile phase the culms are protected by deciduous triangular bracts 15-30 cm long covered by dark brown hairs.
From each node originate a group of branches of which a predominant central one and 1-2 smaller lateral ones, those of the lower nodes are hard, thin, horizontal or facing downwards and provided with robust curved thorns, above they are arched, branched and equipped with leaves and small thorns.
It has alternate leaves, linear to lanceolate in shape, with a long pointed apex, 8-30 cm long and 1-2 cm broad.
The inflorescences are large panicles with spikelets grouped at the nodes, 1,3-2,5 cm long.
Flowering is gregarious (that is, it occurs almost simultaneously in all culms regardless of age and location) and involves the death of the plant; this occurs in cycles varying between 30 and 50 years.
The fruit is a light brown fusiform caryopsis, 6-8 mm long and 1.5-2 mm in diameter.

Cultivation –
Bambusa bambos is an evergreen, perennial plant that is used in many parts of tropical Asia for food, medicine and a wide range of products; moreover it is widely collected in nature and is often cultivated also in the tropics, especially in Asia, representing one of the most important plants for human use globally.
This bamboo finds its best growing conditions in the humid areas of the tropical lowlands, where it can be found at altitudes of up to 1,000 metres.
It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are between 22-30°C, but can tolerate 8-36°C.
It also prefers an average annual rainfall between 1,200 and 2,500 mm, but tolerates between 700 and 4,500 mm.
The plant prefers a position in partial shade but also grows in full sun, while, from a pedological point of view, it prefers a fertile and moist soil with a pH between 4.5 and 6.5, tolerating 4 – 7.
This plant has rapid growth, forming a tuft of stems up to about 5 meters tall within 7 years, if propagated from seed, and reaches full size after about 20 years, a period in which 25 – 50, up to 100 culms will form .
Twelve-year-old culms are considered already mature.
Bamboos have an interesting growth method. Each plant produces a number of new stems each year – these stems reach their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent stem growth is limited to producing new side branches and leaves.
The culms that grow undisturbed are almost impenetrable after a few years due to the intertwining of thorny branches.
The plant, as mentioned, flowers in a gregarious manner at intervals of 16 – 45 years. A full flowering period of the whole bunch takes up to 3 years. This flowering is followed by profuse seed production, after which the old culm dies.
It is a plant which reproduces by seed, not always easy to find due to the long life cycle, to be planted quickly, having a rather short germination period, 6-8 months, which can be extended only with suitable conservation methods. Germination takes place in 1-3 weeks at a temperature of 24-26 °C; more frequently we resort to agamic propagation, through:
– stem cutting, using a portion with two-three nodes placed horizontally;
– layering;
– division of rhizomes and micropropagation.

Customs and Traditions –
Bambusa bambos is a plant known by various names especially in the areas of origin; among the most common we mention: giant thorny bamboo, Indian thorny bamboo, spiny bamboo, thorny bamboo (English); banha, bnah, kata, koto, kotoha (Assamese); baans, baansha, berua bans, behor, ketua, ketuasi (Bengali); bambou épineux, bambou roseau (French); bambu, buns, katabaans, katang, malabans, mangarabans (Hindi); raisai (Khmer); bambu-da-India, bambu-spinoso (Portuguese); mullumangila, mulmunkil, mungil (Tamil); phai-pa, phai-nam (Thai).
It is one of the most cultivated bamboos, especially in India, where it is used for multiple uses; it is in fact used in construction, to make furniture, handicraft objects of various types and in the production of excellent quality paper, it is also effective for stabilizing the soil and creating defensive barriers, thanks to the presence of thorns. The young shoots are edible and are eaten cooked with two changes of water or in brine and the leaves used as fodder; leaves, roots and seeds are used in traditional medicine for various pathologies.
In the food sector, the cooked young shoots are consumed. Often these are cooked with two changes of water to remove the bitterness. The young shoots are harvested as soon as they emerge from the ground.
The sugary sap is made into a drink.
The plant contains high levels of silica and is used in many ways in Ayurvedic medicine.
The root is astringent and cooling and is used to treat joint pain and general weakness.
The leaves are antispasmodic and emmenagogue; they are taken internally to stimulate menstruation and to help relieve menstrual pain.
They are also taken to tone and strengthen stomach functionality, expel worms and are reputed to be an aphrodisiac.
The young shoots, harvested as soon as they emerge from below ground level, are taken internally to relieve nausea, indigestion and other symptoms. These are applied externally as a poultice to help drain infected wounds.
The juice of the plant is rich in silica and is taken internally to help strengthen cartilage in conditions such as osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Other uses include agroforestry.
It is one of the best bamboos for windy sites due to the strength of the culms; it is often planted to form windbreaks around farmsteads – when planted as a hedge around a farmstead or field, it requires little care.
It is planted along rivers to control floods.
Among other sui it is remembered that culms have a wide range of applications, being manufactured in different ways to make different objects such as scaffolding, rafts, furniture, paper and dozens of other objects.
They are used to make ships’ sails, as well as their masts and rigging. Almost all furniture in homes, including mats, screens, chairs, tables, beds, and bedding, can be made from stalks. Household utensils and even coarse underwear are made from this material. Whole culms are used in shipbuilding, in the construction of bridges, water pipes, etc. Buckets, jugs, flasks and cups are obtained from sections of the culms. Baskets, boxes, fans, hats and jackets are made from split bamboo stalks. Strings and Chinese paper are obtained from the fibers of the culms. A Chinese umbrella is made from bamboo paper, with a bamboo handle and sectioned bamboo.
All kinds of agricultural implements, appliances for spinning cotton and wool or for treating silk are often built entirely of bamboo. Many household or decorative items made of bamboo have become commercial items. However, the uses of this bamboo are many.
Traditionally, when making paper, the stems are divided into lengths of 90 – 120 cm and placed in one layer in a tub. This is covered with lime, and alternating layers of bamboo and lime are placed until the tank is full. Water is run to cover it all up, and this is then left for three or four months, when the bamboo has become rotten. The softer bamboos are pounded in a mortar into a pulp, mixed with water, and then poured into square sieve-like molds. The sheets are left to dry on the form, then placed against a warm wall, and finally exposed to the sun.
The leaves are used for packaging, as padding for mattresses, etc.

Method of Preparation –
Bambusa bambos is a species of bamboo that is used in various ways in different cultures and for different purposes.
Giant bamboo is known for its strength and endurance. It is used to build structures such as bridges, buildings, fences and even skyscrapers in some parts of the world. Bamboo canes can be tied together to create solid structures.
It is often used to produce interior and exterior furniture and decorations. It can be used to make tables, chairs, beds and shelving, as well as other decorative items such as vases and lamps.
Some traditional musical instruments are made from bamboo. For example, giant bamboo can be used to make flutes, panpipes, tam-tams, and other percussion instruments.
This bamboo can be woven to make baskets, bags and other containers for carrying goods or for everyday use.
In some cultures, the young shoots of this bamboo are edible and are used as ingredients in culinary dishes.
Giant bamboo is used for making handicrafts such as jewellery, sculptures and decorative items.
Giant bamboo can be grown as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks to add a natural, tropical element to the landscape.
However, please note that before using Bambusa bambos for any purpose, it is important to comply with local laws and regulations regarding the use of bamboo and to ensure that you manage it sustainably to preserve the natural environment. Furthermore, it is always advisable to inform yourself about the traditional and cultural practices related to the use of bamboo in the different regions.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
https://www.floraofsrilanka.com/species/1625

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.