What is Bamboo?
Bamboo is a grass which is extremely varied. It claims over a hundred genera, covering over 1000 different species, and ranging in size from under a few feet tall to well over 100 feet in height. It is one of the most tremendous living resources in the world. Its strength and durability lend it to many uses – from use as a structural building material to a food source. Bamboo is made of long cellulose fibers that run parallel to each other over the entire length of the stalk. These longitudinal open cells, which act to carry water to feed the bamboo, are incased in lingin, a substance which strongly binds the fibers together. These fibers are most densely concentrated closer to the outer protective surface of the stalk, whereas the innermost fibers are the weakest and starchiest. The nodes, which act to segment the bamboo, are the stalks’ supporting discs. Although the density of the material around the nodal region is tremendous, the node is actually the weakest part of the outer plan
Bamboo is a plant, commonly grown in Asia. It is a type of grass with a hard, woody, hollow stem. There are several varieties of bamboo; some are as short as one foot (30 cm) in height while others can grow to ten times that size. The root structures of bamboo plants vary and they are often scientifically classified by root type. Many different climates support bamboo, although it is commonly associated with the tropics. Bamboo is commonly used as a food source. Bamboo has a crisp texture and light, sweet flavor. It generally assumes the flavor of ingredients it is combined with, so bamboo shoots are often used as fillers in Asian cuisine. While some bamboo can be eaten raw, some varieties must be cooked to remove some toxic elements. The giant panda enjoys it too; pandas subsist almost completely on bamboo plants. Bamboo is also used as a construction material. It is an extremely hard substance, although it should be chemically treated to prevent insect infestation and rot. Since it i
Bamboo species are perennial woody grasses. They are important multi-purpose plants which grow rapidly and produce very high biomass. The more than 1,250 species vary widely in structure and form and occur under widely varying ecological conditions in the tropics and subtropics or in more temperate regions. Bamboo has a variety of uses ranging from its use in building, for pulp and paper manufacture, to cottage industries and household use. Bamboo is becoming more and more a farm crop in addition to being a major forest product. The principal users of bamboo are the rural poor. 2. Why is there a need to propagate bamboo? In most Asian countries which produce bamboo there is a shortage of supply and in recent years the gap between supply and demand has been widening. Harvesting from natural areas or from secondary forest lands means that artificial planting schemes are necessary and plantations of bamboo are becoming more common. Over-exploitation occurs despite the vigorous growth and
