GIGANTOCHLOA is a genus of giant, tropical, clumping bamboo similar to Bambusa. Rarely flower or come true from seed, and may be “natural hybrids.”
Genus species | Max Height | Max Diameter | Minimum Temperature | Comments/Description |
G.albociliata | 35′ | 2″ | 30F | Shrubby. The fully grown culm often bends down to the ground. Large branches at base. smaller near tip. |
G.apus | 65′ | 4″ | 27F | This Java native has large leaves and thick-walled culms which are densely hairy when young. Clump growth is fairly open, with culms erect or arching above. |
G.atroviolacea | 40′ | 3″ | 28F | Tight clumping at the base – open at the top. New culms turn black within one year, displaying irregular green vertical stripes. Edible shoots. A highly sought after tropical bamboo species in South Florida. |
G.atroviolacea ‘Watupawan’ | 52′ | 4″ | 25F | A faster growing version of Gigantochloa atroviolacea with green culms, black striation and black patches. |
G.atter | 70′ | 8″ | 28F | Culms erect, straight and easily worked. Edible shoots. |
G.levis | 45′ | 5″ | 28F | Young culm densely covered with brown or white tomenta, turning whitish gray when full grown. Edible shoots. |
G.ligulata | 30′ | 1.5″ | ? | Plants are from the seed of the plant at Quail labeled Gigantochloa verticillata. Dr. Widjaja has identified the parent plant as Gigantochloa ligulata ‘Striped’. |
G.hasskarliana | 30′ | 2.5″ | 28F | From west Indonesia. Dense with large leaves. |
G.pseudoarundinacea syn. G.verticillata G.maxima | 80′ | 6″ | 28F | Tight clumping erect, long internodes, nodding apically. Often yellow-striped on lower culm internodes. Usually branchless for twenty or more joints. Edible shoots |
G.pseudoarundinacia var. minor | 45′ | 4″ | 28F | Culms highly variegated with cream colored stripes. Until recently, this smaller variety of G.pseudoarundinacia was somehow referred to as G.maxima in Florida. |
G.robusta | 60′ | 3.5″ | ? | Large, erect, and strong. From Java and Sumatra. Used for pipes, construction, handicrafts, shoots. Yellow stripes near base. |
G.sumatra | 30′ | 2″ | 28F | Lavender stripes on the new culms. When mature, the stripes fade and the culms turn a burnt orange color. Good container pant. Erect and neat. |
G.sp. ‘Hitam Hijau’ | 20′ | 1.5″ | 28F | Hitam Hijau means black and green. Very dark green culms with occasional white stripes and dramatically arching tops. |
G.wrayii | 35′ | 3″ | 30F | Culms with long internodes are erect or arching outwards. Sometimes yellow-striped on lower internodes. |