Over 1200 different species grow worldwide. Various species can reach heights of 30 m and more. About 18 million ha of bamboo are distributed in world forest ecosystems, in Asia, Africa, and America.
The bamboo plant is made up of an underground axis and above ground axis. The underground axis is comprised of rhizomes, roots, and buds. The above ground axis is comprised of stems, branches, and foliage. Buds on the rhizomes may develop into shoots that emerge from the ground.
The plant share certain characteristics that place them apart from other grasses: segmented, typically hollow stems (called culms, as in all grasses) that are somewhat woody, which sprout from the underground stem portions (or rhizomes); a complex system of branching; and flowers that typically each have three perianth-like structures (lodicules) and 3–6 stamens.
The shoots from stem develop during the premonsoon and grow during the rainy season. Elongation of the bamboo plant takes place during the rainy season and it continues still the post rainy season.
Bamboo provides considerable environmental benefits. In many countries, it is used for ecological purposes such as soil stabilization and erosion prevention on hill slopes and verges. It is a very important forestry plant which is harvested from existing natural forests, plantations, and mixed agroforestry systems.
Bamboo plant
