BAMBOOS OF INDI A

Bamboos of India
perigynium 3-4 angled; style linear, stigma 5, plumose. Caryopsis very large, 12 x 3.5 cm, brown, oval-oblong, tipped
with a 5 cm beak, pericarp fleshy with persistent glumes and palea.
FLOWERING AND FRUITING
Flowering has been recorded for the first time from Pandimotta of Kulathupuzha range, Southern Kerala, in 1992 and
1993. The flowering appeared to be sporadic in nature. Flowering initiated in January and fruits matured by April.
Large single fruits are seen attached to the base of the branches. About 31 to 41 fruits weighed in one kilogram and the
weight of individual fruits vary from 24 to 32 gm/fruit. The fruit length is about 5.2 to 7.4 cm with a beak of 4.1 to 5.7
cm. The fruits are the largest among the species of Ochlandra and probably will come next to the fruits of Melocanna
baccifera which is reported as the largest bamboo fruit. Moisture content of the fruit was 60-70 percent. Within one
month, the fruits get dried and wrinkled completely (Seethalakshmi, 1993).
line 62
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Fig. 62. O. travancorica
var hirsuta. A - leafy
branch with inflorescence;
B - culm with branches;
C - culm with sheath;
D - flowering branch;
E - empty glumes;
F - flowering glume;
G - palea; H - lodicules;
I - staminal tube and
stamen; J - pistil;
K - caryopsis.
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