Giant Bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper)

Family: Poaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Dendrocalamus asper or commonly known as Giant Bamboo or Rough Bamboo is a very large, dense-clumping, evergreen species native to Southeast Asia. It grows up to 20 m tall and 12 cm in diameter. Younger plants are covered with fine velvety brown hairs. The nodes are swollen; younger nodes have many aerial roots while middle and upper nodes have branches.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Young stems - cooked. Free of bitterness. Harvested before they emerge from the soil, they are tender and sweet. They are used as a vegetable, pickled or preserved. — Young stems - cooked.; Free of bitterness.; Harvested before they emerge from the soil, they are tender and sweet.; They are used as a vegetable, pickled or preserved.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known in a truly wild situation. (Zone 10)