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Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus): Towering Tropical Timber Bamboo

Overview

Giant Bamboo is one of the largest bamboo species in the world, native to Southeast Asia. It forms massive, upright clumps with culms (stems) reaching 80-100 feet tall and 10-12 inches in diameter in ideal conditions. A true tropical giant, it is used for construction, furniture, and as a dramatic landscape specimen in frost-free climates.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Dendrocalamus (den-droh-KAL-uh-mus)
Species:	giganteus (jy-GAN-tee-us)

Synonym: Bambusa gigantea.

Cultivation & Uses

Requires tropical to subtropical climate (USDA zones 10-11), full sun, rich soil, and abundant water. It is a clumping bamboo, non-invasive. Young shoots are edible. Provide ample space for its massive size. Protect from wind to prevent culm breakage.

Grasses and Bamboo: Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra); Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper); Giant Timber Bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii); Hardy Bamboo (Fargesia rufa); Giant Thorny Bamboo (Bambusa bambos): Impenetrable Tropical Clumping Bamboo; Robust Fargesia (Fargesia robusta): A Tall, Clumping Bamboo for Screening; Dwarf Bamboo (Dendrocalamus minor): A Small, Clumping Tropical Bamboo; Bamboo (Gigantochloa pseudoarundinacea); Bamboo (Fargesia denudata); Bamboo (Bambusa arnhemica)

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Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): The Classic Tropical Clumping Bamboo

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Plants

Bamboo 'Kimmei' (Semiarundinaria yashadake): Variegated Running Bamboo with Yellow Sulcus

Marbled Bamboo (Chimonobambusa marmorea): Rare Running Bamboo with Marbled Culms

Common Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris): Giant Tropical Clumping Bamboo

Male Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus): Solid-Culmed Tropical Clumper for Timber

Bengal Bamboo (Bambusa tulda): Strong Tropical Clumper for Construction

Bamboo 'Shiroshima' (Hibanobambusa tranquillans): A Striking, Variegated Bamboo for Shade

Broadleaf Bamboo (Indocalamus latifolius): A Running Bamboo with Giant Leaves for Deep Shade