Bambusa spinosa

Family: Belongs to the Poaceae or Grass family, which includes Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum), Corn (Zea mays) and Roseau or Wild Cane, (Gynerium sagittatum).

Description: The specimens, in what is called the Bamboo Den, are located on SE side of the old water fountain, but need replanting at center of clump; these are perennial, clumping trees from thick rhizomes; tall, giant grass, woody, densely tufted, fast-growing species, up to 40 m high (130 ft) in natural habitat, curving at top; stem circular, 10-18 cm diameter (4-7 in); stem wall very thick, with stem sometimes almost solid; internodes prominent, 30–45 cm long (12-18 in), lowest nodes rooting; stem-sheaths leathery, orange-yellow when young, hairy outside, 30–45 cm long (12-18 in); branches numerous, lower ones long, wiry, and armed with thorns; leaves linear, 10-20 cm long (4-8 in), 1-2 cm wide (0.4-0.8 in); flowering rare, but if it does, will occur at nodes in large panicles.

Natural Habitat: A tropical and subtropical Bamboo, preferring sheltered, moist locations and deep soils at low and medium altitudes; propagated by suckers and mature joints with buds, and requiring high humidity and warm soil.

Origin and Distribution: Literature suggests native of SE Asia, with distribution north into China and south to Australia.