ISHS Acta Horticulturae 486: II International Symposium on Ornamental Palms & other Monocots from the Tropics
BAMBOO GERMPLASM: PERSPECTIVES FOR ORNAMENTAL PURPOSES. |
| Author: | T. Schiva |
| Abstract:
More than 1350 botanical species of bamboos are scattered over Asia, South America and Africa in areas between latitudes 0° to 45° and up to altitudes of 3000 meters. Over 60% of the species known are distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia. Tropical species have a sympodial architecture of development; subtropical species are monopodial and those such as running bamboos are frequently referred as invasive. Regarding cold tolerance there are subtropical species able to resist up to -22°C and even inside of the tropical germplasm it is possible to find several species able to develop in temperature zone such as those normally used for citrus cropping. Indeed bamboo represents a great natural resource for the inhabitants of many countries, whose lives are closely linked with these plants since the beginning of recorded history. From ornamental point of view there is a good assortment of colored mutants present both in tropical and subtropical germplasm. Furthermore differences in size and architecture make this germplasm an interesting element for interiorscapes as well as for exterior landscaping. After discussing the most important biological characteristics concerning the exploitation of this germplasm as an ornamental plant and the current scientific research on this subject, some of the most striking taxa are described to demonstrate the potentials for ornamentalization. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
