Bamboo

A Natural Fiber for Structure

Bamboo

The bamboos /bmbu/ are evergreen perennial flowering plants in the subfamily Bambusoideae of the grass family Poaceae. In bamboo, as in
other grasses, the internodal regions of the stem are usually hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the
stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement. The dicotyledonous woody xylem is also absent. The absence of secondary growth wood causes the
stems of monocots, including the palms and large bamboos, to be columnar rather than tapering.[3]
Bamboos include some of the fastest-growing plants in the world,[4] due to a unique rhizome-dependent system. Certain species of bamboo can
grow 91 cm (3 ft) within a 24-hour period, at a rate of almost 4 cm (1.5 in) an hour (a growth around 1 mm every 90 seconds, or one inch every 40
minutes).[5] Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family. Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in South Asia,
Southeast Asia and East Asia, being used for building materials, as a food source, and as a versatile raw product. Bamboo has a higher specific
compressive strength than wood, brick, or concrete and a specific tensile strength that rivals steel.[6][7]
The word bamboo comes from the Kannada term bambu, which was introduced to English through Indonesian and Malay.
Parts of Bamboo

Rhizome: The underground stem or rootstock of the bamboo is known as rhizome. These rhizomes develop culms and roots which grow
sidewards.
Bud: The new shoot that develops on the rhizome.
Shoot: The new culm that emerges from the subterranean bud.
Culm: The bamboo stem found beneath the culm sheaths.
Culm Sheath: The protective layer of leaves found on new shoots and culms. The sheaths fall off once the culm has developed its woody
outer timber and attained its mature height.
Node: The rings of the bamboo stem found under the culms. The node is the septum or diaphragm that divides the hollow stem of the
bamboo.
Internode: The part of the stem that is hollow and displays various colors and patterns according to varying species of bamboo.
Bamboos and Their Uses

Scaffolding and Construction

The pliability of bamboo makes it a suitable material for constructing bridges, houses, and for using as scaffolding. In Philippine, nipa houses are made entirely of bamboo and can
withstand moisture and heat. Bamboo planks are also compressed and treated for making flooring, walls, and ceilings for houses. The biggest advantage of using bamboo timber is
that, it can be cut without killing the plant. This unique aspect of the bamboo has made it an extremely popular choice among eco-conscious individuals. Examples: Giant timber
bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii), Petung bamboo (Dendrocalamus Asper), Black asper (Dendrocalamus asper var. Black), etc.

Flooring and Furniture

Bamboo being a timbered grass, grows rapidly and is thus available in plenty for commercial use. The popularity of exotic bamboo furniture increased during the 18th and 19th
century, when Western countries began ordering for custom-made designs. Bamboo flooring on the other hand has gained popularity very recently and is being hailed as the long-
term replacement for hardwood floors. Processed bamboo is not only sturdy, it is also resilient to moisture, heat, and pests. Examples: Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), Timor
black bamboo (Bambusa lako), Monastery bamboo (Thyrostachys siamensis), etc
Bamboos and Their Uses

Edible Bamboos
Bamboo shoots are a staple food throughout Asia and are extremely nutritious. Almost all types of bamboos can be consumed, however, some are preferred over others for their
flavor and size. Bamboo shoots must be harvested as soon as they are a foot tall. Since some shoots contain cyanide, the shoots must be boiled and leached before consumption.
Once the shoots have been boiled, they can be stored for two weeks if they are soaked in cold water and kept in the fridge. The water must be replaced everyday in order to
remove toxins and keep the shoots from rotting. While cooking bamboo, the shoots must be boiled for 30-45 minutes so as to remove their bitter taste. The boiled water must not
be used for cooking and should be drained. Example: Giant timber bamboo (Bambusa oldhamii), Sri Pratchin (Dendrocalamus asper cv 'Hitam), Philippines Sweet shoot bamboo
(Dendrocalamus sikkimensis), etc.

Tools and Utensils

Bamboo is used for making utensils, tools, and carvings. In fact, in most Asian countries, the utensils of everyday use such as chopsticks, table mats, spoons, steamers, and flasks
are made with bamboo. The roots of dead bamboo plants are used for making wall hangings and craft items such as carvings and ornamental walking sticks. Examples: Slender
weavers (Bambusa textilis var. 'Gracilis), Spineless Indian bamboo (Bambusa tulda), Giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus), Muli bamboo (Melocanna baccifera), etc.
Bamboos and Their Uses

Musical Instruments
The bamboo plant has been used for making musical instruments since centuries. Instruments such as pan flutes, rainmakers, Australian
didgeridoo, Korean Danso and Dangjeok, Indian flute or bansuri, Japanese Komabue, shakuhachi, and Kagurabue are predominantly made of
bamboo. Hollow bamboo species with thin culms are chosen for the purpose of making musical wind instruments. The girth and hollow of the
bamboo internode helps in determining the scale of the instruments.
Dwarf Indoor Bamboos
There are dwarf bamboo cultivars available which can be grown indoors in pots and containers. Indoor bamboo varieties must be given a lot of
care and attention, partial shade and plenty of moisture. Small bamboo cultivars can also be used for making hedges, as ornamental additions for
landscapes, and placed at the entrance of commercial buildings and houses.
Textile
Cotton is gradually being replaced by bamboo for making fabric, however much remains to be done in order to bring bamboo fabric into the
mainstream market. Currently, processing bamboo into fabric is expensive and uses harsh solvents. Bambusa textilis is often used for making
textile because its leaves and the pith from its thin-walled culms are easier to mash. The resulting threadlike pulp is used for weaving.
References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo
https://gardenerdy.com/types-of-bamboo
Thank You