Family and Plant Structure
Family
Flowering bamboo
There has been much discrepancy in the classification of bamboo throughout the past (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Whether it is classified in the rice family or traditionally in the grass family, scientists and scholars have argued the issue, “however, most authorities now agree that bamboo is unique” (Austin & Ueda, 1970, p. 14). Bamboo has been classified in the sub family Bambusaceae, which is in the grass family (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001). Astonishingly there is approximately 1,200 different bamboo species found around the world (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Howell, 2009; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001). With the massive number of species of bamboo comes the many different varieties and the fact that bamboo can be found almost anywhere around the world, except for in places of consistent, extremely cold weather (Howell, 2009). The classification in the Bambusaceae subfamily with thousands of species and varieties is due to it unique structure (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Austin and Ueda (1970) say, “The speed of bamboo’s growth is one of the wonders of nature” (p.193). The growth period for bamboo is remarkably fast only taking about 2 to 4 months to reach its complete height (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Mahdavi, Clouston, & Arwade, 2011). The size of bamboo at its complete growth can be between 15 and 30 meters tall and have a diameter range of 5 to 15 centimeters (Mahdavi et al., 2011). Some bamboos are even known to grow up to 90 centimeters in a day (Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001). Bamboo does not grow much in size or thickness after 4 months but it can take 3 to 8 years for the plant to reach its maximum strength (Mahdavi et al., 2011). Bamboo only flowers once in its lifetime and after the first and final flowering it dies (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Hunter, 2003). Bamboo flowers only after it has matured and is very infrequent only occurring after 50 to 120 years of life (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Hunter, 2003).
Plant Structure
Bamboo “is distinguished by: the special structure of its stem or culm... its rapid rate of growth; its singular flowering habits” (Austin & Ueda, 1970, p. 14). The bamboo culm is unique in the fact that it takes the place of a tree trunk, however it cannot be termed this because unlike a trunk, culms grow quickly, have joints, and they are also completely hollow inside (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Bamboos also have special types of roots; they are unlike any other roots however. Bamboo has growth underground but instead of roots there are rhizomes (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Rhizomes are shoots from the bamboo that are long and grow rapidly in order to germinate new bamboo sprouts, which is how it is spread (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001). This fast growth underground is also the cause of the spacing between each bamboo culm (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Above ground the culms are made up of hollow segments called internodes and solid nodes, which accounts for bamboo’s strength and flexibility (Sarkisian, Long, Doo, & Shook, 2011; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001). The nodes of a culm separate segments but provide the interconnections of the hollow sections or internodes, therefore weaving together the stalk or the culm (Liese, 1985; Sarkisian et al., 2011). These solid segments or nodes are where the diaphragm is located and also where new growth will begin (Sarkisian et al., 2011). “The diaphragms help resist buckling of the culm wall along the entire height of the culm” (Sarkisian et al., 2011, p. 62). The internodes create a hollow segment in which the culm wall surrounds this helps increase the bending resistance of the culm, therefore the bamboo culms are able to bend without breaking (Sarkisian et al., 2011). The outside of the culm is protected by to layers know as epidermal cell layers, which consists of an inner, thicker layer of cells whereas the outer layer is thin and similar to a wax coating making it nearly impossible for water to penetrate the culm (Liese, 1985).
To Learn how to grow Bamboo in your own backyard visit http://www.bamboogarden.com/care.htm for growing and maintenance tips.
To Learn how to grow Bamboo in your own backyard visit http://www.bamboogarden.com/care.htm for growing and maintenance tips.
Monopodial and Sympodial
Birkeland (2002) states that bamboo is separated “into two fundamentally different forms, each with minor variations” (p. 202). These different forms or growths of bamboo are found in either clumps or as single standing culms (Austin & Ueda, 1970). The two different growths of bamboos are either monopodial or sympodial.
Monopodial or Running
A monopodial form of bamboo can also be called running bamboo, this growth is usually found in cooler climates and grows “as single, free- standing culms” (Austin & Ueda, 1970, p. 14; Birkeland, 2002). The running bamboo produces rhizomes that are long and travel out far underground to create a new sprout farther out in a “new feeding territory” (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002, p. 202). These long expanding rhizomes can grow over one hundred yards in order to establish a new plant sprout (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002). However, this form of bamboo tends to grow at a slower speed due to its widespread development underground (Birkeland, 2002). Even though these are slowly developing rhizomes, after enough time they can become a dominant forest of their own species (Birkeland, 2002). These rhizomes develop culms that are “smaller in diameter and thinner walled” but emerge from underground at its final diameter as an adult (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002, p. 202). The nodes of a monopodial bamboo form grow one bud yearly, which can then germinate and become a new bamboo culm (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Because of this running bamboo, culms stand erect without any branches to a considerable height (Austin & Ueda, 1970). The sympodial form however, is very different from the monopodial growth (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002).
Sympodial or Clumping
Sympodial or Clumping bamboo
The other type of bamboo growth is the sympodial, also known as clump bamboo (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002). This type is seen growing throughout the tropics because of the warmer climate (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002). Because of this the “clumping bamboo are actually giant rainforest type plants…” (Birkeland, 2002, p. 202). It is known as clumping bamboo because it forms huge clumps of bamboo due to a short link between culms (Austin & Ueda, 1970). Like the monopodial form, the sympodial develops rhizomes underground, however, unlike monopodial these rhizome do not grow over a hundred yards, instead this underground shoot is connected directly to the parent culm, keeping the culms close together in a group (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002). Sympodial bamboos are “huge, powerful clumping grasses that send out a fine system of radial roots to acquire their food” (Birkeland, 2002, p. 202). Their short links help keep them where they are planted, which makes it easier for them to co-exist with other species (Birkeland, 2002). Unlike the monopodial form that develops slowly, the clumping bamboo reaches its mature size much faster because the energy used to grow mainly takes place above the ground (Birkeland, 2002).
Bamboo is a very tolerant plant; it can withstand cooler temperatures even though it is thought of as a tropical plant and can also tolerate areas of poor soil making it easy to grow in all types of places as different types of bamboo (Hunter, 2003). Because of bamboos unique structural design and different types of growth bamboo makes it a very resourceful plant all over the world and therefore is known for its versatility and readiness in the industrial world (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002; Howell, 2009; Hunter, 2003; Liese, 1985; Lye, 2010; Sarkisian et al. , 2011; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001; Waite, 2009).
Bamboo is a very tolerant plant; it can withstand cooler temperatures even though it is thought of as a tropical plant and can also tolerate areas of poor soil making it easy to grow in all types of places as different types of bamboo (Hunter, 2003). Because of bamboos unique structural design and different types of growth bamboo makes it a very resourceful plant all over the world and therefore is known for its versatility and readiness in the industrial world (Austin & Ueda, 1970; Birkeland, 2002; Howell, 2009; Hunter, 2003; Liese, 1985; Lye, 2010; Sarkisian et al. , 2011; Simpson & Ogorzaly, 2001; Waite, 2009).