Types of Bamboo in Assam: Complete Details (45 Types)

Bamboo is an integral part of the culture of Assam. In Assam, bamboo is used in almost everyday life. Assam has nearly 50% of the bamboo types of India. So, in this post, I will discuss the types of bamboo in Assam.

There are 45 types of bamboo in Assam. Out of the 45 types, some species are only found in Assam. Bambusa is the most common bamboo found in Assam.

In this post, I will list and discuss all the 45 types of bamboo you can find in Assam. But at first, I will briefly discuss the uses of bamboo Assam and Assam bamboo products.

Uses of Bamboo in Assam

You will find, the people of Assam use bamboo in almost every aspect of everyday lives. Bamboo has been used in Assam from time immemorial. Bamboo is used right from building bridges to sitting mats

You will be surprised to know that bamboo in Assam is used to make carry bags, writing pens, musical instruments, etc.

  • House Construction
  • Furniture
  • Bamboo Mats
  • Decorative
  • Food
  • Fencing
  • Utensils
  • Musical Instruments
  • Toys

Assam Bamboo Products

There are many products made from different types of bamboo in Assam. You can buy them online or local markets in Assam.

Types of Bamboo in Assam

There are 45 types of bamboo in Assam. Some of the most common types of bamboo in Assam are Bambusa, Chimnobambusa, Dendrocalamus, Dinochloa, etc.

Out of the most common types of bamboo in Assam, Bambusa is the most dominating one. There are 21 types of Bambusa bamboo out of the total 45 types.

Distribution of Types of Bamboo in Assam

Bamboo in Assam is spread throughout Assam. Most of the bamboos in Assam are concentrated in 7 districts of Assam. To list, they are.

  • Karbi Anglong
  • North Cachar Hills
  • Cachar
  • Karimganj
  • Kamrup
  • Goalpara
  • Nagaon 

Presently, 16-18% of total bamboo resources in India, come from Assam only.

Types of Bamboo Genus in Assam

Bambusa

Bambusa types of bamboo in Assam

There are a total of 153 types of Bambusa bamboo in the whole world. In Assam, there are 21 types of Bambusa bamboo. Bambusa bamboo is very popular among the growers and cultivators of Assam.

Bambusa type of bamboo in Assam is very strong and has more thickness. It has small branches and small leaves as compared to other types of bamboo in Assam. This type of bamboo has a diameter ranging from 12mm-100mm. The height of Bambusa bamboo ranges from 10m to 30m.

Different types of Bambusa Bamboo found in Assam

You can find 21 Bambusa types of bamboo in Assam. I will list them below with local names, diameter and height.

Bambusa Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameterHeight
Bambusa arundinacea Kotoha banh, kata banh
Bambusa assamica 30mm12m
Bambusa auriculataKalia banh
Bambusa barpatharica
Bambusa balcooa Roxb.Bhaluka banh80mm22m
Bambusa bambosKotoha banh150mm30m
Bambusa cacharensis100mm21m
Bambusa garuchokuaGaruchokua banh,Ghora Banh100mm15m
Bambusa jaintiana35mm12m
Bambusa multiplex Borosi dang banh,Jupri Banh 
Bambusa nutans Mokal banh 70mm12m
Bambusa pallidaBijuli banh75mm20m
Bambusa polyporphaBetua banh150mm25m
Bambusa pseudopallida Bijuli Banh, DeoBanh100mm20m
Bambusa rangaensis.Bon Bijuli35mm10m
Bambusa teres Bhaluki makal75mm20m
Bambusa tulda Jati banh 100mm20m
Bambusa vulgaris Tela/Tansti banh, Kalachi banh, Halodhia Banh/ Sonali Banh100mm20m
Bambusa ventricosaBudhabeli banh50mm10m

Chimonobambusa

There are 42 species of Chimonobambusa bamboo in the world. Out of the 42 species, you can find 3 types of Chimonobambusa bamboo in Assam

Chimonobambusa is called running bamboo. The nodes of this bamboo look swollen. Some species also have thorns. From each node, you can find three branches. 

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Chimonobambusa Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Chimonobambusa callosaUsper 25mm7 m
Chimonobambusa jainiana15mm7 m
Chimonobambusaquadriangularis40mm8 m

Dendrocalamus

Dendrocalamus Bamboo

You can find 6 types of Dendrocalamus bamboo out of 72 species in Assam. These bamboo types in Assam are unique for their large growth.

 Dendrocalamus grows as a clump i.e they grow near each other as a single tree. It has large branches and leaves. Moreover, the thickness of these bamboo types is more as compared to other types of bamboo.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Dendrocalamus Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Dendrocalamus. Giganteus Bor keko banh300mm30m
Dendrocalamus hookeri Sait, Sejsai,Sijong150mm19m
Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Keko banh , PahariKeko, Kekowa130mm18m
Dendrocalamus longispathusRupohi Banh,Khang 100mm18m
Dendrocalamus strictus Saal Banh75mm15m
Dendrocalamus manipureanus 100mm20m

Dinochloa

There is only 1 Dinochloa type of bamboo in Assam. This type of bamboo has zigzag culms. They intertwine with each other and grow as a clump.

Dinochloa macclellandi is used for making baskets and furniture in Assam. Apart from these, it is used as medicine and country beer.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Dinochloa Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Dinochloa macclellandiLota Banh25mm20m

Gigantochloa

Gigantochloa types of bamboo in Assam

It is similar to Bambusa bamboo. You will find 4 types of Gigantochloa bamboo in Assam. These bamboo grows in clumps and have thick walls. The shoots of Gigantochloa bamboo are used as food. It is used as fermented bamboo and making bamboo pickles.

These bamboo sheds their leaves once in a year. The diameter of Gigantochloa ranges around 100mm and height around 15 m.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Gigantochloa Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Gigantochloa albociliataKalisundi25mm10m
Gigantochloa apus130mm22m
Gigantochloa macrostachya100mm16m
Gigantochloa nigrociliata60mm20m

Melocalamus

You will find 4 Melocalamus bamboo types in Assam. It has elongated rhizomes and produces single clums. Melocalamus bamboo have a diameter ranging from 50-90 mm. It can reach a height of 40m.

It is one of the most useful bamboo found in Assam. You can use Melocalamus bamboo shoots as food and medicine. Moreover, the leaves is used to make liquor or beer.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Melocalamus Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Melocalamus bacciferaMuli Banh90mm10-20m
Melocalamus compactiflorusLoti Banh25mm33 m
Melocalamus indicus60mm30m
Melocalamus mastersiiBeti Banh30mm20m

Oxytenanthera

You will find only 1 Oxytenanthera bamboo types in Assam. It grows upto 20m and has diameter of 80mm. The nodes is slightly prominet in Oxytenanthera bamboos.

This bamboo is used for construction of huts and sheds. It is also used to make baskets and mats.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Oxytenanthera Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Oxytenanthera ParvifoliaPahari Jati Banh80mm20m

Phyllostachys 

Phyllostachys types of bamboo in Assam

You can find only 2 Phyllostachys bamboo types in Assam. The name Phyllostachys come from world ‘phyllon’ which means leaf and ‘stachys’ means spike. These bamboo grows in clamps.

The clumps grows in zigzag fashion from node to node. This bamboo has good mechanical properties. It is used for construction work, handicraft and paper pulp. The shoot is alo eaten.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Phyllostachys Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Phyllostachys assamica60mm12m
Phyllostachys manniiDeo Banh60mm12m

Schizostachyum

Schizostachyum types of bamboo in Assam

You can found 5 Schizostachyum bamboo types in Assam. These are short bamboos as compared to other bamboos. It grows as a clamp with little spacing.

Different types of Chimonobambusa Bamboo found in Assam

Schizostachyum Bamboo typesLocal NamesDiameter (millimeter)Height (meter)
Schizostachyum helferi50mm17m
Schizostachyum pergracileMedung Banh70mm12m
Schizostachyum  polymorphumBajal Banh, Nal Banh40mm10m
Schizostachyum dullooaDalu Banh75mm9m
Schizostachyum griffithiBeti Banh20mm15m

Conclusion

Summing up, I have given overall knowledge of the different types of bamboo in Assam. I have listed all the 45 types of bamboo in Assam and given their diameter and height. You can find their local name in this post. 

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