Gigantochloa atter
Gigantochloa atter, also known as Giant Atter or Sweet Bamboo, is a dense tropical clumping bamboo native of Malaysia. Young shoots are consumed as a vegetable while the stems are used for making furniture and musical instruments.
Summary
| Height | 15 - 22 m |
| Diameter | 5 - 10 cm |
| Growth Habit | Dense Clumper |
| Climate | Tropical - Subtropical |
| Hardiness | -2°C |
| Origin | Malaysia |
Photos
Gigantochloa atter
Culms
Large tufted woody bamboo with dark green culms of 15-22 m high and 5-10 cm in diameter. Culm internodes are thin-walled and are on average 40–50 cm long. The lower part of the culms develop aerial roots from the nodes.
Branches
Many clustered branches at the nodes with 1 larger dominant branch.
Leaves
Leaves are lance-shaped and are on average 20-44 cm long and 3-9 cm wide.
Habitat
This bamboo is found in the low land and it has been observed growing from near the coast to about 1400 m above sea level.
Uses
In Central Java, people call this species bambu legi which means sweet bamboo. Young shoots of this bamboo are consumed as a vegetable and as delicious as those of Dendrocalamus asper. The culm of this species is very useful for building material. It is also used for making musical instruments and other handicrafts.
Origin
This species is native of Malaysia. In Indonesia (Java and Sumatra), it is commonly cultivated in village areas.
Is there a difference in the level of sturdiness or hardness between Gigantochloa atter and Gigantochloa apus? I am currently doing a project and need to decide on the specific bamboo species to be used. The project is investigating on which type of bamboo is a strong and sturdy bamboo that can withstand impacts during vehicle crashes.