Visions of exotic eastern haunts
by Sarah Das Gupta
of elegant Japanese gardens
a refugee in temperate regions
| Botanical name: | Bambusoideae |
| Popular names: | Teddy Bear Bamboo, Sweet Dragon Bamboo, Zigzag Bamboo, etc. |
| Family: | Poaceae (grass) |
| Origin: | Asia-Pacific Region |
| Habitat: | Sheltered, sunny position |
Bamboo belongs to the sub-species Bambusoideae which is a member of the grass family. It has hollow, evergreen stems or culms. There are two types of root systems, ‘clumping’ or ‘running’. Bamboo needs a sheltered, sunny spot, with six to eight hours of indirect sunlight in spring and summer and consistent moisture. At least one of the many species is native to all regions of the world, except Europe and Canada. The word ‘bamboo’ is thought to originate in Malay or Kannada and passed on through Dutch or Portuguese colonists.
Currently, there are no laws restricting the cultivation of bamboo in the UK, other than that of not causing a ‘nuisance’ to neighbours.
Undoubtedly, this plant, in its many varieties, has something to offer to the gardener. It can create a micro climate while forming a windbreak or a privacy screen. In parts of Asia and southern Africa, it provides animal fodder. Farmers use it as a mulch and, in many areas, it is a wildlife habitat. Fresh, new shoots are edible.
There are also drawbacks to the cultivation of bamboo. An individual bamboo culm lives up to ten years and is difficult to control or eradicate. Only the use of chemical herbicides or the physical removal of rhizomes will destroy unwanted plants. Some varieties can be aggressive and spread quickly. Buildings, pipes and drainage can be damaged. Bamboo can also be lethal to dogs.
Some species can grow to 46 meters in height and 36 centimetres in width. Species like the Japanese Giant Timber bamboo can grow 120 centimetres in 24 hours. The speed of growth and the fact that the plant thrives on marginal land means it is useful during this time of climate change. In southern Africa bamboo is used for building and food.
Many bamboo species have a life cycle of 40 to 80 years, with some blossoming at long intervals of 65 to 120 years. Fruit is produced, sometimes called ‘bamboo rice’. After this the plants die out.
Bamboo is also increasingly used for the manufacture of many and diverse artifacts including: paper, clothing, flooring, drinking straws, bowls and other containers, furniture
Further reading:
‘Practical Bamboos’, 2010, Whitaker, P., Timber Press, ISBN 1604690569.
‘Exotic Gardening’, 2010, Cooke, I., Crowood Press, ISBN 9781847972136.
Author bio:
Sarah Das Gupta is a young 81 year old. Loves writing haiku and most forms of poetry. Is learning to walk after an accident. Main outside interests include equine sports. Lives near Cambridge, UK. Read other sciku by Sarah here.
