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.
- Baskets of Bamboo
- Bamboo Lamp
- Bamboo Shoe Rack
- Hand Fan
- Bamboo Flower Vase
- Bamboo Utensils
- Beer Mug made of Bamboo
- Bamboo Magazine Rack
- Bamboo Bottles
- Decorative Items made of Bamboo
- Baboo Fabric
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
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 types | Local Names | Diameter | Height |
| Bambusa arundinacea | Kotoha banh, kata banh | ||
| Bambusa assamica | 30mm | 12m | |
| Bambusa auriculata | Kalia banh | ||
| Bambusa barpatharica | |||
| Bambusa balcooa Roxb. | Bhaluka banh | 80mm | 22m |
| Bambusa bambos | Kotoha banh | 150mm | 30m |
| Bambusa cacharensis | 100mm | 21m | |
| Bambusa garuchokua | Garuchokua banh,Ghora Banh | 100mm | 15m |
| Bambusa jaintiana | 35mm | 12m | |
| Bambusa multiplex | Borosi dang banh,Jupri Banh | ||
| Bambusa nutans | Mokal banh | 70mm | 12m |
| Bambusa pallida | Bijuli banh | 75mm | 20m |
| Bambusa polyporpha | Betua banh | 150mm | 25m |
| Bambusa pseudopallida | Bijuli Banh, DeoBanh | 100mm | 20m |
| Bambusa rangaensis. | Bon Bijuli | 35mm | 10m |
| Bambusa teres | Bhaluki makal | 75mm | 20m |
| Bambusa tulda | Jati banh | 100mm | 20m |
| Bambusa vulgaris | Tela/Tansti banh, Kalachi banh, Halodhia Banh/ Sonali Banh | 100mm | 20m |
| Bambusa ventricosa | Budhabeli banh | 50mm | 10m |
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Chimonobambusa callosa | Usper | 25mm | 7 m |
| Chimonobambusa jainiana | 15mm | 7 m | |
| Chimonobambusaquadriangularis | 40mm | 8 m |
Dendrocalamus
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Dendrocalamus. Giganteus | Bor keko banh | 300mm | 30m |
| Dendrocalamus hookeri | Sait, Sejsai,Sijong | 150mm | 19m |
| Dendrocalamus hamiltonii | Keko banh , PahariKeko, Kekowa | 130mm | 18m |
| Dendrocalamus longispathus | Rupohi Banh,Khang | 100mm | 18m |
| Dendrocalamus strictus | Saal Banh | 75mm | 15m |
| Dendrocalamus manipureanus | 100mm | 20m |
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Dinochloa macclellandi | Lota Banh | 25mm | 20m |
Gigantochloa
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Gigantochloa albociliata | Kalisundi | 25mm | 10m |
| Gigantochloa apus | 130mm | 22m | |
| Gigantochloa macrostachya | 100mm | 16m | |
| Gigantochloa nigrociliata | 60mm | 20m |
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Melocalamus baccifera | Muli Banh | 90mm | 10-20m |
| Melocalamus compactiflorus | Loti Banh | 25mm | 33 m |
| Melocalamus indicus | 60mm | 30m | |
| Melocalamus mastersii | Beti Banh | 30mm | 20m |
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Oxytenanthera Parvifolia | Pahari Jati Banh | 80mm | 20m |
Phyllostachys
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Phyllostachys assamica | – | 60mm | 12m |
| Phyllostachys mannii | Deo Banh | 60mm | 12m |
Schizostachyum
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 types | Local Names | Diameter (millimeter) | Height (meter) |
| Schizostachyum helferi | 50mm | 17m | |
| Schizostachyum pergracile | Medung Banh | 70mm | 12m |
| Schizostachyum polymorphum | Bajal Banh, Nal Banh | 40mm | 10m |
| Schizostachyum dullooa | Dalu Banh | 75mm | 9m |
| Schizostachyum griffithi | Beti Banh | 20mm | 15m |
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.