Most people are not aware that bamboo is not a “tree” but actually a prehistoric grass. It is a very unique grass. Many varieties are hard to distinguish between. However, once you are familiar with bamboo anatomy and it’s characteristics, you can start to distinguish between the anatomical structures of the common species in our area.
Culm
Bamboo culm is the vertical above ground growth of the bamboo. Also, what is referred to the stalks or canes of the bamboo.
Sulcus Groove
A bamboo sulcus groove is a groove in the culm which formed the limb during the growth process. This groove is very pronounced in the Phyllostachys.
Bamboo Node
The node is the part of the culm that separates the culm into segments. The node is also where the branches form. The rhizomes also have nodes. This is where the buds from that grow into a culm or another rhizome.
Bamboo rhizome and stump
This Picture illustrates how a culm propagates off of the rhizome. A new shoot forms then the roots follow. growing downward and outward forming a base.
On the left of the stump is the rhizome. You can see the hairs, those are the secondary roots. The secondary roots form on the rhizome node. On each rhizome node is also rhizome bud that grows into a new culm or rhizome.
New Shoots
Also referred to as bamboo spears. This is What a new bamboo shoot looks like. At this stage the thickness of the culm the same size it will be at full height. Bamboo culms do not grow wider at the age.
You can also see the bamboo sheath. This sheath is a leaf like covering that protects the new growths. They fall off at the bamboo grows in height.
New Rhizomes also have sheaths know as the rhizome sheath.
More Bamboo bases
This picture illustrates out many culms can develope along the rhizome
Interior view of bamboo base
This is the interior view of a bamboo base. You can see the segments of the culms from the inside. These spots are where the nodes from.
Stress canes
This rhizome here illustrates what a stress cane looks like.
If you were to remove a part of the grove or leave behind a segment of rhizome this is what happens.
The buds at the nodes all shoot upward in an attempt to get sunlight to continue photosynthesis.
stress cane growth looks much different then normal culms. Stress growth is very short, busy and full of leaves.