Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex Wendl
Kauayang-china, killing, taring, tewanak (Tag.); kauawayang- kiling (Ilk., Tag.); bolinao, limas, tiling (P. Bis); sinamgang (C. Bis.); kauayang-kiting (Sbl.); maribal (Bik.); patong (Tagb.)
Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. Ex Wendl
In clumps with more or less 30 culms, open and rather not closely tufted. Culms erect, straight or slightly zigzag, up to 15 m tall. Nodes smooth, solitary, nodal ridge, present, bearing aerial roots at base to the third node, roots up to 6.5 cm long. Internodes bluish-green, shining, slightly grooved at the branch side, up to 43 cm long, to 10 cm diameter, wall more or less 2.0 cm thick. Culm sheaths early falling, leathery, densely covered with dark brown hairs at the back from base to top, smooth and glossy inside, 15-20 cm long, base 28 cm wide, sheath uricles ear-shaped, with few brown bristles of up to 8 mm long; sheath ligule narrow, 1-3 high; sheath blade persistent, narrowly triangular, outside glabrous, inside with dark brown to black hairs, lower half of the blade margin with cilia. Branches arising from the nodes, with one dominant primary branch, primary to tertiary branches nearly solid. Leaves remaining fresh after cutting, 5-11 in a branch, linear-lanceolate, up to 33 cm long x 2.0-6.5 cm wide, lower surface minutely pubescent; petiole short; auricles reduced to minute lobes; ligule 1.0-2.0 mm high, entire or minutely dentate, glabrous. Flowers and fruits no seen.
Culms classified as “soft bamboo” and used only in light construction, pulp and paper and handicrafts.
The bluish-green, glabrous shining culms and the slightly grooved or sulcate internodes, which are very distinct from the other Bambusa species, are sufficient for its easy identification
Science in a creative industry.
The DOST-FPRDI has a Bamboo Musical Instruments Innovation R&D program aimed at improving the quality of locally-made bamboo musical instruments (BMIs) through science and innovative technologies. The program seeks to standardize the production of selected BMIs, develop prototype designs, analyze raw material sources and existing markets, and build a BMI processing facility. In addition, the program aims to document the ethnocultural story behind several BMIs and identify the bamboo species used in BMI production to promote public awareness and appreciation of the cultural importance of these musical instruments. The program is a collaboration with the University of the Philippines and Philippine Normal University for teaching modules and analyzing sound quality and standardization of BMI design. The DOST Grants-in-Aid program provides funding.
PhBMI