BAMBUSA BLUMEANA

 

Full Sun, 28 degrees F Minimum, Clumper.

        Tall thorny plant often grown in clumps of 10-40 culms with densely interlaced thickets of very spiny branches at the base.

        From India & Indonesia where it is used for building materials, baskets, edible shoots.  In Thailand it is used for construction, edible shoots, basketry & handicrafts.  Introduced into the Philippines from Malaysia during pre-historic times where it is now the most popular & most valuable species.  It has the

biggest diameter (5" max), the longest saleable culms (33' max), the highest pulp yield (2.5 times that of B.vulgaris) & is used for Philippine house construction, furniture, handicrafts, edible shoots, pulp & paper production.  It is used more

than B. vulgaris because it seems to be less susceptible to attack by insects.  Its pulp is used to make quality bond paper, onion skin & bag papers.

        A plant sold at the September '91 N.W.ABS sale for $35.