Bamboo Terms

Branch - The limb arising from or extending from the culm; sub-branches are branches arising from the branches.

Clone - a group of genetically identical cells or organisms derived from a single cell or individual by some kind of asexual reproduction.

Clump - The whole bamboo plant, consisting of many culms grouped in a cluster, is called a clump.

Compost - An organic soil amendment based on the decomposition of organic matter.

Culm - Most clearly identified as ‘bamboo’, it is the pole or stem that extends from the rhizome, growing vertically. The aerial axis of the bamboo plant, divided into nodes and internodes.

Culm Sheath - A modified, protective leaf on a bamboo culm anchored at the node which generally protects immature branches.

Fertilizer - Organic or inorganic plant foods in either liquid or granular form, used to enhance the soil in order to improve the quality or quantity of plant growth. Organic fertilizers include animal manure and composted plant & animal material.

Genus - The smallest natural group containing distinct species.

Habitat - Natural environment of a plant or organism; the place where it is usually found.

Hectare - An area of land measuring 100 square metres or 2.47 acres.

Impermeable - A soil that does not readily permit the passage of water through it.

Indigenous - Native to a specified area or region; not introduced.

Leaching - The removal of soluble substances from bamboo, soil or timber by the percolation of water.

Leptomorph - One of two general types of bamboo rhizomes; characterized by a slender stem and long spaces between nodes. Bamboo with this type of rhizome structure are classified as “running bamboo”.

Loam - A soil composed of sand, silt and clay in such proportios that properties of the soil are not dominated by any one of them.

Mulch - Any loose material or coarse organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings or tree bark material placed over soil to control weeds and conserve moisture.

Native - Naturally occurring; not cultivated or introduced.

Node - A swollen segment of the culm where the culm sheath, foliage leaves and branches originate.

Nutrients - Elements necessary for growth and reproduction of plants; primary plant nutrients are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

Pachymorph - One of two general types of bamboo rhizomes; characterized by a shortened, thick and fleshy stem and many-branched clumps and closely packed culms. Bamboo with this type of rhizome structure are classified as “clumping bamboo”.

Perennial - A plant that lives for a number of years.

pH - A measure of the amount of lime (calcium) contained in the soil; pH values of 0 to 6.5 indicate acidic conditions, a pH value of 7.0 indicates neutral conditions and pH values greater then 7.0 indicate alkaline conditions

Porous – the measure of available spaces in a substance or soil. The porosity of soil typically increases as particle size increases which increases the flow of water through the soil.

Pruning - Removal of branches to divert nutrients for the growth of new culms and to prevent congestion.

Rhizome - An underground stem or portion of a stem with nodes and may harbour small roots. New shoots or culms arise from rhizomes.

Screen – Planting of bamboo or other vegetation to block visual passage from one area into another.

Shoot - Young culm at an early stage of its development, before it elongates and turns woody.

Sulcus - a longitudinal groove that lies between the culm nodes of some bamboo species.

Thinning - Removal of some culms in a clump to improve the vigour and quality of the remaining culms, reducing culm density and competition.

Windbreak - Planting of trees, bamboo or vegetation designed to protect soil, crops, homes or structures from wind.

Sulcus - a longitudinal groove that lies between the culm nodes of some bamboo species.