Nature Nugget – King of Grasses

Bamboos are woody, perennial evergreen plants that are members of the true grass family. There are about 1,200 species worldwide occurring in diverse climates from cold, 12,000-foot mountains to low, hot, tropical regions. They occur naturally on all continents except for Europe.

Bamboo stems, called culms, can range in height from a few centimeters to 40 meters (131 feet), with stem diameters ranging from 1 millimeter to 30 centimeters (about 12 inches). The stems are jointed with regular nodes, with the sections of stems between the nodes being hollow. A single stem of bamboo grows to full height from a rhizome (root) in one growing season and can persist for several years. Bamboos are the fastest growing woody plants, with some tropical species capable of growing from 1 to over 3 feet per day, but 1 to 2 inches per day is more typical for most garden variety species. When it comes to flowering, bamboos are gregarious, meaning that all of the same species within a region bloom at the same time. Some species flower only every 28 to 120 years, with some species dying after going to seed.

Numerous species of wildlife are dependent on bamboo and bamboo forests for food and shelter. Rare animals such as the giant pandas of China, mountain gorillas of Africa, golden lemurs of Madagascar, and the mountain tapirs of South America are dependent upon or closely connected with bamboo. Several birds are known to drill holes and nest in the hollow stems. The world’s second smallest bat species roosts in holes in bamboo stems. Many little known invertebrates are specially adapted to the environment within the hollow bamboo stems. Cavities that catch and hold water become the home and breeding place for frogs and numerous aquatic insects.

Millions of people use and depend on bamboo also, especially in third world countries. Because of its diversity of uses, it is known as the “friend of the people” in China and as the “wood of the poor” in India. Traditional uses by man include housing, furniture, food, cooking, paper, musical instruments, and boats. A single bamboo clump can produce up to 9 miles of usable poles in its lifetime. There are currently 1,500 documented uses of bamboo which support a 2 billion dollar bamboo industry.

Bamboo is one of the many gifts that God has given us and the animals to use for food and shelter. “Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. It is from Him that we receive every good gift. He is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love. It is God who brings the bud to bloom, the flower to fruit. It is He who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures as brought forth in the beautiful words of the Psalmist: ‘The eyes of all wait upon Thee, And thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.’ [Psalm 145:15.]” Bible Training School, November 1, 1908.

David Arbour writes from his home in De Queen, Arkansas. He may be contacted by e-mail at: landmarks@stepstolife.org.