F N O h c o F . T Common bamboo Classification (Bambusa vulgaris ) Order Poales Family Poaceae Genus Bambusa Species Bambusa vulgaris Originated in southern Asia. Widely introduced in the (Schrad. Ex J.C.Wendl., 1810) 1800s and grown for an array of uses, including construction materials, land management (erosion), furniture, textiles, ornaments and human consumption. F 1 N The plant is now present in most tropical areas of the O h planet. c o F . T © Description n A perennial, ligneous cane (grass), producing rhizomes, capable of reaching a height of 20 metres, in colours ranging from green to yellowish- brown, with vertical streaks n The stalk (stem or cane) is woody and hollow, 5 to 35 cm in diameter, with 2 nodes every 20 to 45 cm. Stalks have dark hairs when young, but become r r a smooth and glossy with age t S n Above-ground roots form in rings on the basal nodes, with rhizomes that m i K spread horizontally in the soil & n t On the upper internodes, branches form with a stipule and leaves s e n r Leaves are smooth, alternating, lanceolate and deciduous, 6 to 30 cm o F long, 1 to 4 cm wide, green to yellow in colour, with urticating hairs at the © base n a The inflorescence comprises rows of seeds up to 3 cm long, no production 3 i d of fruit e m i k i w o k Ecology and reproduction i m t n a The plant can adapt to many types of soil, but prefers wetlands (river j D banks and around lakes). It can survive short flooding, but is vulnerable . W to cold weather © n The plant has a life cycle of 20 to 40 years n Asexual reproduction, via the rhizomes. Stalk cuttings can also throw a roots and produce new stands 4 i d n e Flowering takes place simultaneously among the stalks in a stand, one m i s k i t time after several years of growth, then the plant dies w n o k i a m t l D a ocumentation j D p . n Foch T. & Van Laere G. 2016. Méthode pour réguler et éradiquer le W n bambou ( Bambusa vulgaris ). Fiche Technique. ONF & Parc National de © a i la Guadeloupe, 11 pp. r n Invasive Species Compendium. Bambusa vulgaris (common bamboo). a Document available at http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/8398. p n i Coudair K. 2005. Recherche des methodes de contrôle et de valorisation du bambou dans la zone centrale du parc national de Guadeloupe. R Rapport de stage. 56 pp. Author: Doriane Blottière, IUCN French committee Species fact sheet drafted in February 2017 by the AFB and IUCN France work group for biological invasions in aquatic environments..