Oldeania alpina

Oldeania alpina, the African alpine bamboo, is a perennial bamboo of the family Poaceae and the genus Oldeania. It can be found growing in dense but not large stands on the mountains and volcanoes surrounding the East African Rift between 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) and 3,300 meters (11,000 feet) elevation.

Description

A bamboo. A very large hollow-stemmed grass. It usually grows 6-8 m tall but can grow 12-25 m tall. The stems are smooth and woody. They are yellow brown. They grow from fattened underground stems (rhizomes). A ring of thin branches grow from the joints at the upper ends. Leaves grow off these small branches. Stems can reach 7-10 cm across. The leaves are pale green and up to 20 cm long by 1 cm wide. Flowers are rarely seen. They are 10-20 cm long. After flowering the plant dies down.

Edible Uses

The shoots are eaten as food.

Traditional Uses

The shoots are used as food.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

A tropical plant. A bamboo found at high elevations in Uganda. It grows at 2,700-3,000 m altitude. If well watered it will grow at lower altitudes.

Where It Grows

Africa, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africa, Congo DR, Congo R, East Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda,

Cultivation

It is grown from sections of the underground stem. It can be grown from seed. These need regular watering. They can be transplanted out after 8-12 months.

Production

It is a fast growing plant under good conditions.

Notes

There are about 150 Arundinaria species.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Banda, Kerkeha, Leemmicho, Mulonge, Mulongelonge, Murangi, Mwodi, Ol dean, Ol moloi, Umugano

References (12)

• Bekele-Tesemma A., Birnie, A., & Tengnas, B., 1993, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Ethiopia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit. Technical Handbook No 5. p 96 (As Yushania alpina)
• Dharani, N., 2002, Field Guide to common Trees & Shrubs of East Africa. Struik. p 197 (As Yushania alpina)
• Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 565 (As Sinarundinaria alpina)
• Katende, A.B., Birnie, A & Tengnas B., 1995, Useful Trees and Shrubs for Uganda. Identification, Propagation and Management for Agricultural and Pastoral Communities. Technical handbook No 10. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. p 114 (As Yushania alpina)
• Lulekal, E., et al, 2011, Wild edible plants in Ethiopia: a review on their potential to combat food insecurity. Afrika Focus - Vol. 24, No 2. pp 71-121 (As Arundinaria alpina)

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