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Monastery Bamboo (Thyrsostachys siamensis): Elegant Clumping Bamboo for Warm Climates

Overview

Monastery Bamboo is a graceful, tropical clumping bamboo native to Southeast Asia, often planted around temples (hence the name). It features tall, straight, thin-walled culms with a distinctive powdery bloom when young, and small, delicate leaves. It reaches 30-40 feet in height.

Taxonomy & Nomenclature

Family:	Poaceae (poh-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Thyrsostachys
Species:	siamensis (sy-am-EN-sis)

Cultivation & Uses

Requires frost-free climate (USDA zones 9b-11), full sun to part shade, rich soil, and regular water. Non-invasive clumper. Culms used for light construction, crafts, and edible shoots. Excellent as a specimen, screen, or in large containers. Protect from strong winds.

Grasses and Bamboo: Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra); Hardy Bamboo (Fargesia rufa); Running Bamboo (Phyllostachys vivax); Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus): Towering Tropical Timber Bamboo; Bamboo 'Kimmei' (Semiarundinaria yashadake): Variegated Running Bamboo with Sulcate Culms; 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)

Garden Articles

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

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

Beechey Bamboo (Bambusa beecheyana): Large Tropical Clumper with Edible Shoots

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

Plants

Bamboo Iris (Iris confusa): An Evergreen Species for Shade

Timor Black Bamboo (Bambusa lako)

Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)

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

Khasia Bamboo (Drepanostachyum khasianum): A Clumping Bamboo from the Khasi Hills