Photo Courtesy: Marty Strenges

Maling Bamboo, Seabreeze Bamboo

Bambusa malingensis McClure

bam-BOO-sah  may-ling-EN-sis

Poaceae

Explanation of name:  Bambu is an ancient word for Bamboo.  Malingensis probably refers to Maling in Hainan, China.  The suffix –ensis means “comes from.”

Native range: Hainan, China

Recognition:  Small upright clumping bamboo to about 20’ (35’) tall with narrow (1/2 “) green leaves and culms to 2” in diameter

Landscape uses:  Marketed for seaside conditions, but perhaps no better than other bamboos according to on-line discussion.  Fast-growing and densely clumped, thus used for screening.  Medium-sized and tropical, this species produces many culms a year, taller under trees.  Tolerates sea breezes.

Other notes:  Much of the information on this species was synthesized from numerous nursery catalogs and internet sources, especially SAP, also ME3. 

Internet source: http://www.tropicalbamboo.com/Featured_Bamboos.asp