Poaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Dendrocalamus membranaceus

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Bamboo

Growth—

This species is most commonly found in tropical mixed deciduous or monsoon forest at elevations below 1,000 metres^[1]. In northeastern Thailand, where it is native, the annual average minimum temperature is 21.7°c (ranging from 14.5 - 25.6°c) and average maximum temperature 33.3°c (ranging from 30.5 - 38.1°c). The average annual rainfall is 950mm with a dry season of about 5 months^[1]. Prefers a moist laterite or black limestone soil, but plants can tolerate arid and barren conditions^[2]. 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^[PFAF]. 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.

Propagation

Seed - many, if not all, members of this genus have a short viability and should be sown within 2 - 3 months of harvest. Sow in containers in a lightly shaded position and only just cover. Germination usually takes place readily. Prick out into individual pots as soon as the plants are large enough to handle. Plant out into permanent positions when 20cm tall. Plants may remain in their low-growing juvenile state for several years - cutting the culms to the ground level can stimulate taller adult growth^[3]. Rhizome, culm and branch cuttings^[1]. The propagules are raised in the nursery and after they have produced roots they are planted out in the field before or during the first half of the rainy season^[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dendrocalamus+membranaceus>

Pollinators

Wind

References

[1]Plant Resources of Southeast Asia — http://proseanet.org/ ↩︎Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia.
[2]Bamboos of India: A Compendium — Seethalakshmi K.K., Muktesh Kumar M.S. · Brill. · 2002 · http://www.inbar.int/publication/txt/tr17/default.htm · ISBN 8186247254 ↩︎A very good book giving botanical descriptions of the plants with brief notes on subjects such as uses, habitat and range. It is also available to view on the Internet.
[3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[4]Flora of China — Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. · 1994 · http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ ↩︎An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
[5]IUCN Red List of Threatened Species — http://www.iucnredlist.org/ ↩︎A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎