Gigantochloa levis (Blanco) Merr.
Bolo, bongsina, buhong-china, buling-china, kauayang china, kauayang-puti, kauayang-sina (Tag.); book (P. Bis.); buton (C. Bis.); kabolian (Bik.); patong (Bik., Bis., Sul.); botong (Bis.).
Gigantochloa levis (Blanco) Merr.
Culms close together forming clumps of more or less 1 m diameter comprising 10-22 culms, up to 20 m tall, and can reash as high as 30 Nodes somewhat swollen, covered with appressed brown hairs, the lower ones near the base bearing short aerial roots. Internodes 15-30 cm long, 6-9 cm diameter up to 20 cm as reported, hollow walls 1-3 cm thick. Culm sheaths broadly triangular with narrow more or less straight top, outer surface densely hairy, dark-brown, loose and spreading, almost all over the back when young; auricles with 4 mm bristles; ligule 2-4 mm high, edge toothed; blade reflexed, falling lanceolate, narrow at the base. Branches 5-12 per node, up to 2.3 m long, developing both intra- and extravaginally at all nodes, with one dominant branch. Leaves up to 12 on each branchlet, blades oblong lanceolate, 20-40 cm long, 7-10 cm wide, lower surface shortly pubescent, the upper glabrous, base subcordate, margins weakly scabrous, tip acute; petiole 3-10 mm long, glabrous; sheaths up to 18 cm long, glabrous or towards the tip with hairs along margins and tip; auricles inconspicuous; ligule short, irregularly denticulate, glabrous. Inflorescences and fruits not seen.
All clumps cultivated. Clumps abandoned by farmers for a long time may appear naturalized to some extent
Culms bottom, mid and top portion for musical instruments. Also used in building construction, basketry and furniture. Excellent edible shoots.
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