Schizostachyum textorium
(Blanco) Merr.
Kalbang
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
gbif· cc0
President and Fellows of Harvard College
Description
An erect bamboo with small narrow leaves. The flowers are short in terminal spikes up to 10 cm long. The stems are very straight and smooth.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The young shoots are cooked and eaten.
Traditional Uses
The young shoots are cooked and eaten.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
A tropical plant. Abundant in Batangas and Rizal in the Philippines.
Where It Grows
Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia,
Cultivation
Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying.
Other Uses
The stems are used in the manufacture of looms, as they are very straight and smooth.
References (1)
- Monsalud, M.R., Tongacan, A.L., Lopez, F.R., & Lagrimas, M.Q., 1966, Edible Wild Plants in Philippine Forests. Philippine Journal of Science. p 476
