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Thyrsostachys siamensis Gamble

Family Name:	Poaceae (Gramineae)
Synonyms:	Acroceras regia, Bambusa siamensis, Bambusa regia
Common Name:	Monastery Bamboo, Temple Bamboo, Thailand Bamboo, Umbrella Handle Bamboo

Full Sun

Semi Shade

Moderate Water

Fruit or Vegetable

Ornamental Leaves

Grass or Grass-like Plant

Shrub

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Shrub, Grass or Grass-like Plant
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Mode of Nutrition	Autotrophic
Plant Shape	Columnar
Maximum Height	7 m to 13 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution	Myanmar to Indochina
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Monsoon Forest)
Preferred Climate Zone	Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Others - Plant Morphology	Growth Form: Deciduous bamboo forms erect, tight clumps that emerge from rhizomes. Habitat: Found in monsoonal climates at altitudes from 0 - 400 m. Occurs in dry deciduous forests in either pure or mixed stands. Stems: It has strong, nearly solid erect stems known as culms (7 - 13 m long, 2 - 6 cm wide). The internodes (the area between points of leaf attachment to the culm) are 15 - 30 cm apart. The culm is mostly light green with thin, white bands underneath the nodes where leaves are attached. The papery remainder of triangular culm sheaths surround the culm above the nodes. Foliage: Each branch produces about 4 - 12 linear, pointed leaves (7 - 15 cm long, 0.6 - 1.2 cm wide). Leaves are light green with entire leaf margins. Flowers: The inflorescence consists of a highly branched set of spikelets (tiny, stalkless flowers borne along one small, main axis). Flowering occurs unpredictably, sometimes at intervals up to 40 years. Fruits: Beaked fruits are small and cylindrical (0.5 cm long, 0.3 cm wide). Landscaping: The narrow leaves of this species are easily rustled by the wind, creating an elegant, peaceful atmosphere. This species is ideal for screening, because it forms erect, tight clumps. A small clump could be planted in gardens for an attractive, Asian look. It is often planted in containers to decorate monasteries in Thailand. Cultivation: This species grows best on fertile, well-drained soil. However, it is tolerant of nutrient poor soils. Propagation: Propagate by seed, culm cutting (similar to a stem cutting) or rhizome division. Etymology: The genus "Thyrsostachys" is derived from the Greek words for stalk ("thursos") and head of grain ("stachus"). It refers to the grain-like appearance of the inflorescence. The species epithet "siamensis" is a reference to Thailand as this species's country of origin. Siam was the old name of Thailand. The common name "Monastery Bamboo" comes from the fact that it is often planted around monasteries in Thailand. It was also named "Umbrella Handle Bamboo," because the culms are used to make umbrella handles, as well as other handicrafts. Nomenclature: The taxonomically correct name for this species is Thyrsostachys regia, but it is widely known as Thyrsostachys siamensis in Southeast Asia. Some botanists support the use of Thyrsostachys siamensis due to its widespread use.
Ethnobotanical Uses	Food (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Food: Young shoots are edible. They are added to Asian stirfrys or soups. Other: The stems (known as culms) are used to construct houses, furniture, fences and decorative objects. The pulp can also be used to make paper. It is sometimes used as a windbreak to protect cropland from soil erosion.

Others - Plant Morphology

Growth Form: Deciduous bamboo forms erect, tight clumps that emerge from rhizomes. Habitat: Found in monsoonal climates at altitudes from 0 - 400 m. Occurs in dry deciduous forests in either pure or mixed stands. Stems: It has strong, nearly solid erect stems known as culms (7 - 13 m long, 2 - 6 cm wide). The internodes (the area between points of leaf attachment to the culm) are 15 - 30 cm apart. The culm is mostly light green with thin, white bands underneath the nodes where leaves are attached. The papery remainder of triangular culm sheaths surround the culm above the nodes. Foliage: Each branch produces about 4 - 12 linear, pointed leaves (7 - 15 cm long, 0.6 - 1.2 cm wide). Leaves are light green with entire leaf margins. Flowers: The inflorescence consists of a highly branched set of spikelets (tiny, stalkless flowers borne along one small, main axis). Flowering occurs unpredictably, sometimes at intervals up to 40 years. Fruits: Beaked fruits are small and cylindrical (0.5 cm long, 0.3 cm wide). Landscaping: The narrow leaves of this species are easily rustled by the wind, creating an elegant, peaceful atmosphere. This species is ideal for screening, because it forms erect, tight clumps. A small clump could be planted in gardens for an attractive, Asian look. It is often planted in containers to decorate monasteries in Thailand. Cultivation: This species grows best on fertile, well-drained soil. However, it is tolerant of nutrient poor soils. Propagation: Propagate by seed, culm cutting (similar to a stem cutting) or rhizome division. Etymology: The genus "Thyrsostachys" is derived from the Greek words for stalk ("thursos") and head of grain ("stachus"). It refers to the grain-like appearance of the inflorescence. The species epithet "siamensis" is a reference to Thailand as this species's country of origin. Siam was the old name of Thailand. The common name "Monastery Bamboo" comes from the fact that it is often planted around monasteries in Thailand. It was also named "Umbrella Handle Bamboo," because the culms are used to make umbrella handles, as well as other handicrafts. Nomenclature: The taxonomically correct name for this species is Thyrsostachys regia, but it is widely known as Thyrsostachys siamensis in Southeast Asia. Some botanists support the use of Thyrsostachys siamensis due to its widespread use.

Ethnobotanical Uses

Food (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Food: Young shoots are edible. They are added to Asian stirfrys or soups. Other: The stems (known as culms) are used to construct houses, furniture, fences and decorative objects. The pulp can also be used to make paper. It is sometimes used as a windbreak to protect cropland from soil erosion.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Stems
Landscape Uses	General, Hedge / Screening, Container Planting
Thematic Landscaping	Zen / Minimalist Garden

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference	Full Sun, Semi-Shade
Water Preference	Moderate Water
Rootzone Tolerance	Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils

Propagation Method

Seed, Stem Cutting, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention	Deciduous
Mature Foliage Colour(s)	Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s)	Smooth

Foliar Type	Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Shape(s)	Non-Palm Foliage (Linear)
Foliar Venation	Parallel
Foliar Margin	Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip	Acute
Foliar Base	Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area	Microphyll ( 2.25cm2 - 20.25 cm2 )

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification	Cane
Root Type	Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s)	Underground (Rhizome)

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Fruit Classification	Simple Fruit
Fruit Type	Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Caryopsis / Grain

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Images

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Master ID	30482
Species ID	4791
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.

Species record last updated on: 14 October 2021.