Bambu-açu - Bambusa vulgaris - Brazil

[Agrobambu]

This photo shows the matrix from where I had cut pieces to make my crafts and to make new plantings.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/526/thumbs/Im000426a.jpg See photo (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2208)
Look at the middle 3 or four news sprouting. This set has new culms near 4-5 inches diameter. I don't know the name of this kind but here the popular name is Bambu-açu???.

Ene

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Ene, have you found out the name for this bamboo?

~ Mark

[Agrobambu]

Mark,
Ref. post above.
Not yet, but I'm close to do this, because I have a contact with people from the region were I had collect these bamboos. Next mai-27/28 I'm going to a meet about bamboo planting technics, in Santa Catarina state(=/- 500 km north from Porto Alegre) and will be there experts in this area to consult them about this.
I have now too much sprouts coming (they are 10 sets-near 3m distance each)of this species in my area, because they have now more than 2 years. I will send new pics to help us a better ID. They appear like Oldhamii. I saw a big Oldhamii plant at Huntington Garden when I was there last Oct-04(ABS -Conference) - I got a pic beside them to compare with these bamboos I have. They are very similar! :confused: Well, I need near 2 weeks more to clear this doubt!
Bye,
Ene

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Ene, did you find out any more about this bamboo - Bambu-açu?

Is it Bambusa oldhamii (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=505), or is it another species?

~ Mark

[Agrobambu]

Mark,
First part: Bambu-açu?
This suffix "açu" means great,big or large in a brazilian native language. In this especific case Bambu-açu means Giant Bamboo. This is the common name of Bambusa vulgaris (green)is called in the area where I got my first bamboos plants(pic from de first post). Now I'm sure that the clamps I received as a gift from Santa Catarina are Bambusa vulgaris ( green/ untill 4/5 inches diameter).
In Santa Catarina state have too much B.vulgaris (green) and São Paulo state too and the popular name can change region to region. Here in Rio Grande do Sul state, were we are, it is 600 km south from S.Catarina and its more difficult to see this species. I have tried to plant them sucessfully, like you can see in my posts about D.giganteus. Some clumps of B.vulgaris are mixed with D.giganteus (you can see the more higgest poles on the line). They are not so large yet but the diameter is increasing year post year.


About Oldhamii : I have yet doubts about the big clump of Oldhamii from Huntington Garden in LA. - This clamps have curved culms internodes like B.vulgaris.- I have pics from the Oldhamii from LA and the B.vulgaris(green) from SC.They are very similar.
Here is a good question: Who can specify the differences between them?
Bye,
Ene

[Mark Meckes]

Ene, thanks very much for explaining!
It will be very interesting to learn about the long history, distribution and uses of this plant.
Your pic has been relocated to the gallery category for Bambusa vulgaris (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=526)

This is our first pic for Bambusa vulgaris, so please do upload more pics of this species and Bambusa oldhamii, and in time we should find subtle differences to distinguish between these two Bambusa species.

Bambusa vulgaris is supposed to have a more open clumping habit, though B. oldhamii can certainly be managed, or thinned out to give the appearance of being a more open clumper.

It's amazing how differences in climate, and other various growing conditions can also significantly alter the appearance of the same plant species.

Unfortunately I am not able to grow either of these plants here in Texas to their maximum potential, so most pics I have uploaded are only examples of juvenile growth.

~ Mark