 General description and structure
A
temperate Bamboo is usually very hardy, vigorous and evergreen.
The main structure comprises of rhizomes, culms (canes) and culm
branches (with leaves). All parts are formed as an alternating series
of nodes and internodes.
Young shoots emerging from the ground will
maintain their initial diameter which is the thickness the culm
remains during its life. The girth of the culm does not increase
as with trees. The length a culm reaches in its first year will
also be its final height. Young plants develop thicker and taller
culms in subsequent years, from ground level.
Branches and leaves are formed at the nodes and do increase in number
each year. Young leaves are produced regularly as older leaves drop,
providing the best mulch a Bamboo can have.
The habit of a particular species can vary considerably according
to different sites.
| 
Previous
