Bambusa vulgaris blooms along the Eastern plains of Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Bambusa vulgaris belonging to the subfamily Bambusoideae of Poaceae is the most widely grown bamboo along the tropics (Banik, 2000). Though described in early 1800, is rare in natural forest but evenly found in cultivation. In Uttar Pradesh it is one of the common bamboo along with Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus planted on community lands. Its suitability to different agro-climatic conditions, culm endurance, commercial utility, high pulping quality, easy response to vegetative propagation, robust growth, quick recovery of clumps after felling and rare blooming are some of the significant features which make this a priority species. On reviewing the literature it was observed that this species has not been reported under gregarious flowering till date. Incidences of flowering in the species is very rarely reported along with absence of seed set (fruit) which is eventually due to certain physical and physiological factors.

In the Chilbila market of the Pratapgarh district, one out of eight clumps was found under flowering in December 2022 in a homestead garden. Upon investigation, it was found that the clump has been in a flowering state for the past two years. However, only a few culms possess flowers that were leafless and yellow, while others without flowers were in normal growth. The emergence of new shoots was also observed in clumps. No seed setting was observed during the present flowering period.