BAMBOOS OF INDI A

Dendrocalamus
FLOWERING
The species is known to flower sporadically as well as gregariously. It was collected in flower from Myanmar in 1862 by
Brandis, in 1870 by Kurz and in 1890 and 1894 by Oliver. Gregarious flowering was reported from Coorg during 1961-
62 and from Manipur in 1987-88. In vitro flowering and seed set has been reported (Nadgauda et al., 1993).
DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY
Distributed in Jiribam area of Manipur and Andamans. Cultivated in Indian Botanic Gardens, Calcutta. Introduced in
Karnataka at Coorg between 1913-24; plantation was raised at Asoga between 1971-73. This species has been tried
in Kerala as well. The species is found growing in the tropical forests, chiefly on calcareous rocks up to an altitude of
1300 m.
ANATOMY AND FIBRE CHARACTERISTICS
In the culm internode, epidermis consists of a single layer of thick-walled cells followed by 1-2 layered sclerenchymatous
hypodermis. Cortex parenchymatous, 4-5 layered. Fibre strands absent. Vascular bundles of type IV. Protoxylem caps at
inner region persistent and isolated fibre strands absent. Inner lining of the cavity 4-5 layered, sclereids and 1-2 layered
thin-walled parenchyma cells. Four types of fibres; very thick, thick, thin and very thin-walled present. Septate fibres
present. Fibre tips pointed, blunt or forked. Wall lamellation 3-9 layered (Sekar and Balasubramanian - personal
communication). Stomata common in leaf epidermis, arranged in two bands in 1-4 alternate rows, subsidiary cells highdomed
to triangular, surrounded by small papillae. Long cells long and narrow with uniform width, walls sinuous, end
walls almost straight. Papillae small and scattered. Interstomatal cells similar to long cells, relatively shorter and broader
with concave ends. Short cells costal and intercostal, solitary. Cork cells costal, not distinct, intercostal distinct. Silica
cells costal abundant, intercostal common. Costal silica bodies saddle-shaped, intercostal dumbbell-shaped. Prickles
costal and intercostal, frequent, apex small, pointed, base round, depressed containing vitreous silica. Microhairs frequent,
bicelled, intercostal, apical and basal cells, equal, apex rounded. Macrohairs infrequent to frequent, medium, fragile,
costal and intercostal, base raised, surrounded by a ring of papillae (Luxmi Chauhan et al., 1988). Maceration studies
showed a fibre length of 1846 µm, diameter 12 µm, lumen width 5-6 µm, and wall thickness of 5.3 µm. Fibres have
slenderness ratio 153.8, flexibility ratio 46.6, Runkel ratio 1.9.
CHEMISTRY
Spectral absorbance value (FTIR) recorded for cellulose and lignin are 0.315 and 0.242 respectively (Sekar and
Balasubramanian - personal communication).
SILVICULTURE
This species can be vegetatively propagated by culm cuttings. Use of growth regulating substances (NAA and IBA)
promotes rooting in culm cuttings. Propagation by tissue culture reported from seeds as explant, seedlings with multiple
shoots and rooting were obtained in MS medium supplemented with BAP (Zamora, 1994). Plantation trials from
Karnataka recorded an average height of 6.1 m and a diameter of 14.3 cm.
USES
It is used for house building, baskets and decoratives. Young shoots are edible.
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