Gigantochloa atter (Hassk.) Kurz
Bambu hitam (Indonesia); Kayali, patong (Tag.)
Gigantochloa atter (Hassk.) Kurz
Bambusa thouarsii Kunth var. atter Hassk. (1948). Gigantochloa verticilla (Willd.) Munro sensu Backer (p.p)
Culms 12-25 m tall, closely tufted, about 100 culms per clump. Young culms powdery waxy. Nodes with distinct pale, lower ones with few aerial roots of up to 1.5 cm long. Internodes bluish-green, 11-35 cm long, 4-10 cm in diameter, wall 0.8-2.0 cm thick, with dark brown appressed glabrescent hairs on upper part. Culm sheaths deciduous, 21-34 cm long, with black hairs outside, and fine hairs at the margin; blade lanceolate; ligule irregularly toothed, 3-5 mm high; auricles rounded with 4-6 mm long bristles; on young shoot yellow green to golden yellow with brown to black apprised hairs and black margin. Branches 2-6 with dominant primary one at mid-culm, up to 3 m long. Leave blades oblong-lanceolate, petiole 3-8 cm long; auricles firm and low, 2 mm x 1 mm; ligule 2-7 mm high. Inflorescences and fruit not seen.
Thrives well in the tropis up to 1400 m altitude.
Culm used as building materials, in making household utensils and handicrafts. Sometimes used in Daao as bananas props if B philippinensis is not available. Young shoots eaten as vegetable.
It can be easily distinguished from other Gigantochloa species by its rounded, slightly outward culm sheath auricles and narrowly triangular culm sheath with truncate apex.
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