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Africa, including Madagascar, has over 40 indigenous species of bamboo covering about 1.5 million hectares. The majority of these species are distributed only in Madagascar. The remaining 5 species can be found on the mainland of the African continent, which has the lowest diversity of woody bamboos in the world. In addition to indigenous African bamboo, bamboo such as Bambusa balcooa and Bambusa vulgaris have also been naturalized on the continent.
with creamy yellow blades and it matures to be bright green in color. The culms grow to 6 - 10 m tall and 6 - 10 cm in diameter. Flowering occurs gregariously over wide areas about every 70 years and when this happens the clump dies and sprouts one year later from rhizomes. This bamboo species is distributed at altitudes between 700 - 1,800 m with annual rainfall higher than 1,500 mm. The species is the most common lowland bamboo in East and Central Africa, with an area of potential occurrence of 7,117,915 km2. It can be used for soil erosion control and the rehabilitation of degraded sites.
southern africa
Berg Bamboo, is a clumping mountain bamboo that shoots in the spring. The culms grows to 3.5 - 4.5 m tall and up to 2.5 cm in diameter. The culms are yellowish-green on the bottom and turn dark purple on the top with growth rings regularly spaced along the culm. It has an area of potential occurrence of 89,260 km2 and can be found in the high altitude regions of the Drakensberg Mountains of South Africa. Flowering occurs in 45 year intervals. It is the only African bamboo to be listed on IUCNs Red List of Threatened Plants.
Hickelia africana: A very rare African bamboo species with an area of potential occurrence of
only 1,174 km2. Found in the Eastern tropics of Africa and primarily in Tanzania between 1,750 1,800 m altitude in wet mountain forest habitats. Culms are up to 3 m tall and 8 mm in diameter.
golden bamboo, it thrives in humid conditions up to an altitude of 1,000 m but has been known to survive at 1,200 m altitude and -3 degrees C. With yellow culms of vertical green stripes, it is a large clumping bamboo with a height of 20 m and 4 - 10 cm in diameter. The native location of the species is unknown but it has been naturalized in tropical regions across Africa. Flowering of the species is very rare. It can be used in the construction of such items as houses, boats, fences, and furniture.
Photo Credits: 1. EcoPlanet Bamboo; 2.EcoPlanet Bamboo; 3. Svtefaan Dondeyne; 4. Bamboo Garden; 5. EcoPlanet Bamboo; 6. EcoPlanet Bamboo
southern africa