Common Bamboo

(with numerous English names, depending on cultivars)

Bambusa vulgaris Schrader ex Wendland

bam-BOOS-ah  vul-GAIR-us

Poaceae

Explanation of name: Bambu is an ancient Malayan name for Bamboo. Vulgaris means common.

Natural range: Known only from cultivation (BA2). Old World Ttropics, possibly originally from China or Madagascar (OHR). Varied habitats, including river banks and disturbed sites, prefers humid conditions (OHR).

Recognition and landscape uses (contributed by Marx Broszio):

            'Vittata' or ‘Striata’ (Painted Bamboo, Hawaiian Golden Bamboo). This large open clumper has bright golden-yellow culms accented by random dark green stripes resembling green enamel paint. This bamboo can grow to 50’ tall with 4” culms (ME3). A robust grower, it needs plenty of space.

Note: OHR feels that the cultivar names ‘Vittata’ and ‘Striata’ are interchangeable (and lists ‘Striata’ as the name he accepts), noting that the range of variation of striping patterns in this species is too varied even on single individuals as a basis for recognition of distinct cultivars.

            'Wamin'  (Wamin Bamboo) Originally probably from South China, this is one of the dwarf cultivars of tropical clumping bamboos, growing comparatively slowly to about 16’ tall with culms 3 inches in diameter. It has very unusual short swollen internodes (ME3). ‘Wamin’ has a bushy Growth form and can be used as a novel ornamental, or planted in a row to create a hedge or privacy screen. This cultivar is sometimes called Dwarf Buddha Belly Bamboo but should not be confused with Buddha Belly Bamboo (Bambusa tuldoides ‘Ventricosa’), which will grow up to 55’ tall.

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