Keywords: Low Risk, Naturalized, Uncertain origin, Edible bamboo, Sympodial, Long-lived

Family: Poaceae
Taxon: Dendrocalamus asper

Synonym: Bambusa aspera Schult. & Schult. f. (basionym Common Name: giant bamboo
Bambusa macroculmis Rivire rough giant bamboo
Dendrocalamus macroculmis (Rivire) J. Hou
Gigantochloa aspera (Schult. & Schult. f.) Ku

Questionaire : current 20090513 Assessor: Chuck Chimera Designation: L

Status: Assessor Approved Data Entry Person: Chuck Chimera WRA Score -3
101 Is the species highly domesticated? y=-3, n=0 n

102 Has the species become naturalized where grown? y=1, n=-1

103 Does the species have weedy races? y=1, n=-1

201 Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) - If island is primarily wet habitat, then (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2- High
substitute "wet tropical" for "tropical or subtropical" high) (See Appendix 2)
202 Quality of climate match data (0-low; 1-intermediate; 2- Low
high) (See Appendix 2)
203 Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility) y=1, n=0 n

204 Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates y=1, n=0 y

205 Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural range? y=-2, ?=-1, n=0 y

301 Naturalized beyond native range y = 1*multiplier (see y

Appendix 2), n= question
205
302 Garden/amenity/disturbance weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see n
Appendix 2)
303 Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see n
Appendix 2)
304 Environmental weed n=0, y = 2*multiplier (see n
Appendix 2)
305 Congeneric weed n=0, y = 1*multiplier (see n
Appendix 2)
401 Produces spines, thorns or burrs y=1, n=0 n

402 Allelopathic y=1, n=0

403 Parasitic y=1, n=0 n

404 Unpalatable to grazing animals y=1, n=-1

405 Toxic to animals y=1, n=0 n

406 Host for recognized pests and pathogens y=1, n=0

407 Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans y=1, n=0 n

408 Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems y=1, n=0 n

409 Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle y=1, n=0 y

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410 Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions (or limestone conditions if not a volcanic island) y=1, n=0 y

411 Climbing or smothering growth habit y=1, n=0 n

412 Forms dense thickets y=1, n=0 n

501 Aquatic y=5, n=0 n

502 Grass y=1, n=0 y

503 Nitrogen fixing woody plant y=1, n=0 n

504 Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or tubers) y=1, n=0 n

601 Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat y=1, n=0 n

602 Produces viable seed y=1, n=-1

603 Hybridizes naturally y=1, n=-1 n

604 Self-compatible or apomictic y=1, n=-1

605 Requires specialist pollinators y=-1, n=0 n

606 Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation y=1, n=-1 n

607 Minimum generative time (years) 1 year = 1, 2 or 3 years = 0, >3

4+ years = -1
701 Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily trafficked y=1, n=-1 n
areas)
702 Propagules dispersed intentionally by people y=1, n=-1 n

703 Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant y=1, n=-1 n

704 Propagules adapted to wind dispersal y=1, n=-1

705 Propagules water dispersed y=1, n=-1 n

706 Propagules bird dispersed y=1, n=-1 n

707 Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally) y=1, n=-1 n

708 Propagules survive passage through the gut y=1, n=-1

801 Prolific seed production (>1000/m2) y=1, n=-1

802 Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr) y=1, n=-1

803 Well controlled by herbicides y=-1, n=1 y

804 Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire y=1, n=-1 y

805 Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents) y=-1, n=1

Designation: L WRA Score -3

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Supporting Data:
101 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Is the species highly domesticated? No]
CAB International, Wallingford, UK
102 2013. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. NA

103 2013. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. NA

201 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Species suited to tropical or subtropical climate(s) 2- High] "The origin of
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of Dendrocalamus asper is not certain, but is thought to be in South-East Asia.
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, Dendrocalamus asper is planted throughout tropical countries, including Ghana,
Netherlands Benin, DR Congo, Kenya and Madagascar."
202 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Quality of climate match data 0-Low] "The origin of Dendrocalamus asper is not
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of certain, but is thought to be in South-East Asia."
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen,
Netherlands
203 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Broad climate suitability (environmental versatility)? No] "In tropical Asia
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of Dendrocalamus asper is planted or naturalized up to 1500 m altitude. It thrives
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, best, however, at 400500 m altitude, in areas with average annual rainfall of
Netherlands about 2400 mm." [Thrives in lower elevation, tropical climates]
204 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Native or naturalized in regions with tropical or subtropical climates? Yes] "The
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of origin of Dendrocalamus asper is not certain, but is thought to be in South-East
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, Asia. Dendrocalamus asper is planted throughout tropical Asia and has been
Netherlands introduced in other tropical countries, including Ghana, Benin, DR Congo, Kenya
and Madagascar."
205 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Does the species have a history of repeated introductions outside its natural
CAB International, Wallingford, UK range? Yes] "D. asper has been introduced into other tropical countries, such as
Sri Lanka. It has been planted in botanical, experimental or private gardens in the
New World and Australia, and also in warm temperate areas of Europe and
America."
301 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Naturalized beyond native range? Yes] "The origin of D. asper is not certain, but it
CAB International, Wallingford, UK thought to be somewhere in South-East Asia. It is planted throughout tropical Asia,
and in many parts of Malaysia (e.g. Sabah and Sarawak) and Indonesia (e.g.
Sumatra, East Java, South Sulawesi, Seram, western Irian Jaya) it has become
naturalized."
302 2012. Randall, R.P.. A Global Compendium of [Garden/amenity/disturbance weed? No] No evidence
Weeds. 2nd Edition. Department of Agriculture
and Food, Western Australia
303 2012. Randall, R.P.. A Global Compendium of [Agricultural/forestry/horticultural weed? No] No evidence
Weeds. 2nd Edition. Department of Agriculture
and Food, Western Australia
304 2012. Randall, R.P.. A Global Compendium of [Environmental weed? No] No evidence
Weeds. 2nd Edition. Department of Agriculture
and Food, Western Australia
305 2012. Randall, R.P.. A Global Compendium of [Congeneric weed? No] Several Dendrocalamus species are listed as naturalized
Weeds. 2nd Edition. Department of Agriculture
and Food, Western Australia
401 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Produces spines, thorns or burrs? No] "Bamboo with a short, thick rhizome and
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of densely tufted stems; stem (culm) erect with pendulous tip, 1530 m tall, 820 cm
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, in diameter, hollow but sometimes almost solid at base, wall 1136 mm thick,
Netherlands when young covered with fine, velvety, golden brown, appressed hairs, later
glabrous; lowest internodes 1020 cm long, upper ones 3050 cm or more, white
waxy below the nodes; nodes swollen, lowest nodes bearing aerial roots. Leaves
alternate, simple; stem leaves with sheath up to 50 cm 25 cm, brown hairy, with
prominent auricles, ligule up to 10 mm long and blade up to 50 cm 7 cm; branch
leaves with sheath glabrous or with scattered appressed pale hairs, auricles
absent, ligule 2 mm long, blade 1530(45) cm 12.5(8.5) cm, shortly stalked
at base, glabrous above, hairy but glabrescent below."
402 2010. Sinha, A.. Exploring the feasibility of [Allelopathic? Unknown] "In general, the yield of all crops, with the exception of
bamboo and vegetable intercropping in pea, decreased when cultivated in a bamboo plantation as compared to the data
Jharkhand, India. Asia-Pacific Agroforestry from the monoculture plantation (Figure 1). The results may be due to increased
Newsletter. 10: 5-6. competition for growth resources like sunlight, moisture and nutrients in bamboo
plots compared to those without bamboo plots. The yield of pea increased under
the bamboo plantation. Further research is needed to explore whether D. asper
generates an allelopathic effect with the other crops which results in reduced yield."

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 403 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Parasitic? No] "Bamboo with a short, thick rhizome and densely tufted stems"
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen,
Netherlands
404 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Unpalatable to grazing animals? Unknown] "The young and tender shoots are
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of consumed as a vegetable." [Palatable to humans, so likely also palatable to
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, grazing animals]
Netherlands
405 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Toxic to animals? No] No evidence
CAB International, Wallingford, UK
405 2008. Wagstaff, D.J.. International poisonous [Toxic to animals? No] No evidence
plants checklist: an evidence-based reference.
CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL
406 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Host for recognized pests and pathogens?] "Pests recorded Fungus diseases:
CAB International, Wallingford, UK Epichloe bambusae"
406 2007. Bamboo Information Network. Pests and [Host for recognized pests and pathogens?] "The most prevalent insect pest
Diseases of Some Exotic and Endemic Bamboo observed was the aphid (Psudoregma bambucicola). The hosts of this insect were
Species in the Cordillera Region. Dendrocalamus asper, Bambusa vulgaris, Dinochloa spp., B. toltoides,
http://www.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/home/momentum/ Dendrocalamus latiflorus, and Nastus elatus."
bamboo/ [Accessed 18 Mar 2013]
406 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Host for recognized pests and pathogens?] "The powder-post beetles Dinoderus
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of minutus and Dinoderus brevis cause considerable damage to harvested stems."
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen,
Netherlands
407 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans? No] "The young and tender
CAB International, Wallingford, UK shoots may be consumed as a vegetable, although in areas where D. asper is
used primarily as a building material, the shoots will rarely be collected as a
vegetable."
407 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Causes allergies or is otherwise toxic to humans? No] "In Benin the stems are
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of used for construction and as support for TV antennas. In Asia the mature stems
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, are used for construction, furniture, boards, musical instruments, household
Netherlands utensils, crafts, outriggers of fishing boats and for paper making, the upper
internodes are used as containers and cooking pots. The young and tender shoots
are consumed as a vegetable." [Widely used with no evidence of toxicity or
allergenic properties]
408 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Creates a fire hazard in natural ecosystems? No] "In tropical Asia Dendrocalamus
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of asper is planted or naturalized up to 1500 m altitude. It thrives best, however, at
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, 400500 m altitude, in areas with average annual rainfall of about 2400 mm." [No
Netherlands evidence, and unlikely given wet forest habitat]
409 1993. Poffenberger, M./McGean, B. (eds.). [Is a shade tolerant plant at some stage of its life cycle? Yes] "The villagers' top
Community Allies: Forest Co-Management in management priority at this point in the evolving program is to enhance the forest's
Thailand. Research Network Report Number 2. productivity by enrichment underplanting with the popular sweet bamboo
Center for Southeast Asia Studies, University of (Dendrocalamus asper). This shade-tolerant bamboo species is especially favored
California, Berkeley, CA in the region for eating as well as construction purposes."
410 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions ? Yes] "Dendrocalamus asper will grow
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of in any type of soil, but it prefers heavy soils with good drainage."
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen,
Netherlands
411 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Climbing or smothering growth habit? No] "Bamboo with a short, thick rhizome
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of and densely tufted stems; stem (culm) erect with pendulous tip, 1530 m tall, 820
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, cm in diameter, hollow but sometimes almost solid at base, wall 1136 mm thick,
Netherlands when young covered with fine, velvety, golden-brown, appressed hairs, later
glabrous; lowest internodes 1020 cm long, upper ones 3050 cm or more, white
waxy below the nodes"
412 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Forms dense thickets? No] "Densely tufted, sympodial bamboo." [A sympodial
CAB International, Wallingford, UK bamboo, so dense growth is clumped in a discrete area]
501 2013. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. [Aquatic? No] Terrestrial

502 2013. USDA ARS National Genetic Resources [Grass? Yes] Poaceae
Program. Germplasm Resources Information
Network - (GRIN). http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-
bin/npgs/html/index.pl

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 503 2006. Wu, Z.Y./Raven, P.H./Hong, D.Y. ( eds.). [Nitrogen fixing woody plant? No] Poaceae
Flora of China. Vol. 22 (Poaceae). Science Press
& Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St.
Louis
504 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of tubers)? No] "Dendrocalamus asper can be propagated by rhizome, stem and
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, branch cuttings."
Netherlands
504 2010. Gordon, D.R./Mitterdorfer, B./Pheloung, [Geophyte (herbaceous with underground storage organs -- bulbs, corms, or
P.C. et al.. Guidance for addressing the tubers)? No] "This question relates to perennial plants with tubers, corms or bulbs.
Australian Weed Risk Assessment questions. This question is specifically to deal with plants that have specialized organs and
Plant Protection Quarterly. 25(2): 56-74. should not include plants merely with rhizomes/ stolons"
601 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Evidence of substantial reproductive failure in native habitat? No] "The origin of D.
CAB International, Wallingford, UK asper is not certain, but it thought to be somewhere in South-East Asia. It is
planted throughout tropical Asia, and in many parts of Malaysia (e.g. Sabah and
Sarawak) and Indonesia (e.g. Sumatra, East Java, South Sulawesi, Seram,
western Irian Jaya) it has become naturalized."
602 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Produces viable seed? Not for a long period of cultivation] "Flowering occurs in
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of plants that are 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant dies."
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, "Dendrocalamus asper can be propagated by rhizome, stem and branch cuttings."
Netherlands
603 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Hybridizes naturally? No] "Flowering occurs in plants that are 100120 years old.
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of After flowering, the plant dies." "Dendrocalamus asper is available in many
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, botanical gardens in the tropics. Due to its vegetative reproduction, the genetic
Netherlands diversity of the species is low." [No evidence, and unlikley given effective sterility
of plant up until the end of its life]
604 1993. Nadgauda, R.S./John, C.K./Mascarenhas, [Self-compatible or apomictic? Unknown] "Dendrocalamus strictus is wind
A.F.. Floral biology and breeding behavior in the pollinated. There are reports that some bamboos may be self compatible (Kondas
bamboo Dendrocalamus strictus Nees.. Tree et al. 1973, Venkatesh 1984). In D. strictus, protogyny effectively prevents self
physiology. 13(4): 401-408. pollination." [Biology of related species prevents self-pollination]
605 2006. Wu, Z.Y./Raven, P.H./Hong, D.Y. ( eds.). [Requires specialist pollinators? No] "Spikelets 69 mm; florets 4 or 5, apical one
Flora of China. Vol. 22 (Poaceae). Science Press sterile. Glumes 1 or 2, ovate lanceolate; lemma broadly ovate, margins ciliate;
& Missouri Botanical Garden Press, Beijing & St. palea about as long as lemma, keels and margins ciliate, 13-veined between and
Louis 2 veined on either side of keels. Anthers 35 mm, apex apiculate. Ovary hairy;
style hairy; stigmas 1." [Wind-pollinated]
606 1986. Wong, K.M.. The Growth Habits of Malayan [Reproduction by vegetative fragmentation? No evidence] "The compact clump of
Bamboos. Kew Bulletin. 41(3): 703-720. Dendrocalamus asper is a typical habit based on a sympodial short-necked
rhizome system producing closely spaced culms." [A clumping bamboo species]
607 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Minimum generative time (years)? 100+] "Flowering occurs in plants that are
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant dies."
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen,
Netherlands
701 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules likely to be dispersed unintentionally (plants growing in heavily
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of trafficked areas)? No] "Flowering occurs in plants that are 100120 years old.
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, After flowering, the plant dies." [No evidence & highly unlikely given the long time
Netherlands to flowering]
702 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Propagules dispersed intentionally by people? Yes] "The origin of D. asper is not
CAB International, Wallingford, UK certain, but it thought to be somewhere in South-East Asia. It is planted throughout
tropical Asia, and in many parts of Malaysia (e.g. Sabah and Sarawak) and
Indonesia (e.g. Sumatra, East Java, South Sulawesi, Seram, western Irian Jaya) it
has become naturalized." "D. asper has been introduced into other tropical
countries, such as Sri Lanka. It has been planted in botanical, experimental or
private gardens in the New World and Australia, and also in warm temperate
areas of Europe and America."
703 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules likely to disperse as a produce contaminant? No] "Flowering occurs in
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of plants that are 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant dies." [Unlikely, given
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, long interval to flowering. Plants are effectively sterile]
Netherlands
704 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules adapted to wind dispersal?] "Flowering occurs in plants that are
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant dies." [Possibly after 100+ years of
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, growth]
Netherlands

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 705 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules water dispersed? No] "Fruit not developing." "Dendrocalamus
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of asper can be propagated by rhizome, stem and branch cuttings" [No evidence,
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, and unlikely given lack of flowering until reaching age of 100+ years]
Netherlands
706 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules bird dispersed? No] "Fruit not developing." "Dendrocalamus asper
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of can be propagated by rhizome, stem and branch cuttings" [Even if seeds were
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, produced, they are not adapted for internal consumption & dissemination by birds]
Netherlands
707 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Propagules dispersed by other animals (externally)? No] "Fruit not developing."
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of "Dendrocalamus asper can be propagated by rhizome, stem and branch cuttings"
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, [No evidence, and unlikely given lack of flowering until reaching age of 100+ years]
Netherlands
708 2013. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. [Propagules survive passage through the gut? Unknown]

801 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Prolific seed production (>1000/m2)? Unknown] "Flowering occurs in plants that
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of are 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant dies." [Probably Yes during
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, infrequent mass flowering episodes]
Netherlands
802 2008. Louppe, D./Oteng-Amoako, A.A./Brink, M.. [Evidence that a persistent propagule bank is formed (>1 yr)? Unknown]
Timbers 1: volume 7 of Plant Resources of "Flowering occurs in plants that are 100120 years old. After flowering, the plant
Tropical Africa. PROTA, Wageningen, dies." [No information on seed viability after infrequent flowering episodes]
Netherlands
803 1961. Cruzado, H.J./Muzik, T.J./Kennard, W.C.. [Well controlled by herbicides? Yes] "Observations 24 months after treatment
Control of Bamboo in Puerto Rico by Herbicides. (Table 1) showed that the following bamboo species were eradicated by basal
Weeds. 9 (1): 20-26. application of monuron at the rate of 1.6 pounds of chemical in 2 gallons of water
per 50 culms: B. tulda, B. textilis, G. apus, D. asper, and D. strictus. P. meyeri was
more sensitive and was killed at the 0.8-pound rate. B. textilis, D. asper, and D.
strictus also were eradicated with dalapon at the 1.6-pound rate."
804 2005. CAB International. Forestry Compendium. [Tolerates, or benefits from, mutilation, cultivation, or fire? Yes] "Young shoots are
CAB International, Wallingford, UK usually harvested during the rainy season. Older culms, aged 5-7 years, are
preferably harvested in the dry season." [Tolerates repeated harvests]
805 2013. WRA Specialist. Personal Communication. [Effective natural enemies present locally (e.g. introduced biocontrol agents)?
Unknown]

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Summary of Risk Traits

High Risk / Undesirable Traits

Reported to be naturalized (but area of origin uncertain)
Thrives in tropical climates
Shade tolerant
Tolerates many soil conditions (and potentially able to exploit many
different habitat types)
Will resprout after repeated cutting or harvesting of shoots & culms (may
be difficult to remove from unwanted areas)

Low Risk / Desirable Traits

Despite ability to spread, no negative impacts have been documented
Non-toxic
Edible shoots
Landscaping and ornamental value
A sympodial, or clumping bamboo
Flowering occurs in plants that are 100120 years old
Lack of seed production until possibly at the end of long life cycle