Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

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Bambusa vulgaris
Schrad. ex Wendl., Poaceae
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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk; score: 8 (Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment for Bambusa vulgaris)

Other Latin names:  (no species-level synonyms found)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: common bamboo, feathery bamboo

Niuean: kaho palangi, kaho papalangi

Samoan: ‘ofe, ‘ofe fiti

Tongan: kofe, pitu

Unknown: bitu, kaibaba, kofe, ofe Fiti, pampu, pitu

Habit:  tree-like grass

Description:  "Bambusa vulgaris is the most widespread member of its genus, and has long been cultivated across the tropics and subtropics. It prefers lowland humid habitats, but tolerates a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types. It commonly naturalises, forming monospecific stands along river banks, roadsides and open ground. ¶Although Bambusa vulgaris is taxonomically a grass, its habit is tree-like. It forms dense stands of cylindrical, jointed woody stems up to 20m in height and 4-10cm in diameter; leafy branches at nodes, with narrow lanceolate leaves up to 30cm long." (GISD: Bambusa vulgaris, pp. 1-2)

"Open clumping, sympodial bamboo. Culm erect, sinuous or slightly zig-zag, 10-20 m tall, 4-10 cm in diameter, wall 7-15 mm thick, glossy green, yellow, or yellow with green stripes; internodes 20-45 cm long, with appressed dark hairs and white waxy when young, becoming glabrous, smooth and shiny with age; nodes oblique, slightly swollen, basal ones covered with aerial roots. Encased in tightly packed leaves, shoots are conical in shape, bulging slightly above the base before tapering towards the tip (Collins and Keilar, 2005). ¶Branches arising from midculm nodes upward, occasionally also at lower nodes, several to many at each node with primary branch dominant. Culm sheath more or less broadly triangular, 15-45 cm long, 20 cm wide, upper ones longest, deciduous, light green becoming stramineous, covered with black hairs, margins hairy, apex slightly rounded at the junction with the blade. ¶Blade erect, broadly triangular, 4-5 cm long, 5-6 cm wide, slightly narrowed at the junction with the sheath, stiffly acuminate, hairy on both surfaces and along the lower part of the margins; ligule 3 mm long, slightly serrated; auricles relatively large, 0.5- 2 cm long, with pale brown bristles 3-8 mm long along the edges. Young shoot yellow green, covered with black hairs. ¶Leaf blade 6-30 cm long, 1-4 cm wide, glabrous; ligule a subentire rim 0.5-1.5 mm; auricles small rounded lobes, with a few bristles 1-3 mm. ¶Inflorescence usually borne on a leafless branch of a leafless culm or on a culm with small leaves, bearing small groups of pseudospikelets at the nodes, 2-6 cm apart; spikelets 12-19 (-35) mm long, laterally flattened, appearing strongly 2-cleft, comprising 5-10 perfect florets and a terminal vestigial floret. Caryopsis not known. ¶Flowering in B. vulgaris is not common. When a culm flowers, it produces a large number of flowers but no fruit, and eventually the culm dies, but the clumps usually survive and return to fully vegetative growth within a few years." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

See also: GrassBase; Plants of Tonga, p. 27.

Habitat/ecology:  "B[ambusa] vulgaris can be found growing pantropically from low elevations up to 1200 m altitude on riverbanks, roadsides, wastelands, forest edges, secondary forest, and disturbed sites (Ohrnberger, 1999). It grows best, however, at lower altitudes; above 1000 m, culms become smaller in length and diameter. Along rivers and lakes it grows in almost permanently humid conditions, but it also grows in areas with more severe, dry conditions where the plants become completely defoliated. It is frost hardy to -3°C. In South-East Asia the green-culm plants are widely naturalized on river banks, road sides, wastelands and open ground. B. vulgaris thrives under a wide range of moisture and soil conditions." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

"B[ambusa] vulgaris grows best at lower altitudes (below 1200 m altitude) in areas with annual rainfall ranging from 1500 to 3800 mm (Francis, 1993). It grows under a wide range of environmental conditions, growing in almost permanently humid conditions along rivers and lakes, but also in areas with a severe dry season, where the plants may become completely defoliated. It is partially tolerant to waterlogged and salinity conditions, but B. vulgaris grows best in well-drained soils with pH ranging from 4.5 to 7.5 (Francis, 1993; Dransfield and Widjaja, 1995). It is frost hardy down to –3°C (PROTA, 2014). " (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

"Bambusa vulgaris \'Occurs spontaneously or naturalised mostly on river banks, road sides, wastelands and open ground; generally at low altitudes. In cultivation it thrives best under humid conditions up to 1000m altitude, but tolerates unfavourable conditions as well: dry season (plants may become completely defoliated); low temperature (grows up to 1200m altitude, survives -3 degrees C); also tolerates a wide range of soil types.\' (Ohrnberger 1999, p. 279)" (GISD: Bambusa vulgaris, p. 2)

In Tonga, found: "[at] edge ofcoconutplantation"; "in low area along trail between village...and sea"; "in thicket near upper rim of steep seaside cliff along northwestern side of island." (Plants of Tonga, p. 52)

Propagation:  "Bambusa vulgaris reproduces almost exclusively by vegetative means. \'Flowering is extremely rare\' (Quatrocchi 2006)." (GISD: Bambusa vulgaris)

"B[ambusa] vulgaris blooms only once and flowering is gregarious. After many years, plants growing together flower simultaneously, produce seeds, and then die. Like most other grasses, bamboos have inconspicuous flowers, usually light brown or straw-coloured, which are probably wind-pollinated (Little and Skolmen, 2003)." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

"Flowering is erratic and is reported to take place after some 150 years of vegetative growth, after which the clump dies." (A Tropical Garden Flora, p. 743)

"B. vulgaris spreads often by rhizomes, culm division and branch cuttings and more rarely by seeds (Francis, 1993; Dransfield and Widjaja, 1995; PROTA, 2014). It has a remarkably easy vegetative propagation. Culm fragments are often thrown away after being used and if they have been freshly cut from a living plant, the piece of culm may survive and produce roots and establish new growth. Clumps may also be established from pieces of culms used for fences, props, stakes and posts set on river banks for mooring boats (Francis, 1993; Dransfield and Widjaja, 1995; PROTA, 2014). Culms and rhizome fragments can be easily dispersed by water, soil movement, and human activities (O’Connor et al., 2000)." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

Native range:  China; "probable origin s.e. Asia" (GRIN)

tropical Asia (Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands, p. 51)

"A cultigen unknown in the wild state." (A Tropical Garden Flora, p. 743)

". . .indigenous to tropical Asia. . . ." (Sykes, 1970, p. 234)

distribution (not necessarily native): "Africa: Macaronesia, west tropical, west-central tropical, and western Indian ocean. Asia-temperate: China and eastern Asia. Asia-tropical: India, Indo-China, Malesia, and Papuasia. Australasia: Australia. Pacific: southwestern, south-central, northwestern, and north-central. North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, and Brazil." (GrassBase)

Impacts and invaded habitats:  "Bambusa vulgaris forms extensive monospecific stands where it occurs, excluding other plant species. ¶B. vulgaris colonises along streams into forest (Blundell et al. 2003)[.]" (GISD: Bambusa vulgaris, p. 2)

Bambusa vulgaris is cited as naturalized and invasive in Jamaica and Tobago. (Invasive species threats in the Caribbean region, p. 97)

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
American Samoa
American Samoa Islands
American Samoa Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 3)
American Samoa
Tutuila Islands
Tutuila Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Northern Mariana Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Tinian Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Cook Islands
Cook Islands
Cook Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 3)
Cook Islands
Northern Cook Islands
Manihiki Atoll   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Ma‘uke Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands
Udot Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia
Chuuk Islands
Weno (Moen) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia
Federated States of Micronesia introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Federated States of Micronesia
Kosrae Island
Kosrae Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia
Pohnpei Islands
Pohnpei Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands
Yap (Waqab) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Fiji Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Rotuma Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
French Polynesia
French Polynesia Islands
French Polynesia Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands
Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands
Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
French Polynesia
Society Islands
Tahiti Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
State of Hawaii
Hawaiian Islands
O‘ahu Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Kiribati
Kiribati
Kiribati (Republic of) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Kiribati
Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands
Butaritari Atoll   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Nauru
Nauru Island
Nauru Island introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Niue
Niue
Niue Island introduced
cultivated
Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 234)
"This bamboo has been cultivated on Niue for a considerable period...." (p. 234)
Niue
Niue
Niue Island introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Niue
Niue
Niue Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Babeldaob Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Koror (Oreor) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Palau Islands (main island group) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Palau Islands (main island group)   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Palau
Sonsorol Group
Sonsorol Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Samoa
Samoa
Samoa introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands
Upolu Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Santa Cruz Islands   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Tonga
Tonga Islands
Tonga Islands   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 52)
In Tonga: "Infrequent."; ref. doesn't mention whether native or not
Tonga
Tonga Islands
Tonga Islands introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Tonga
Tonga Islands
Tonga Islands   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Tonga
Tonga Islands
Tonga Outliers   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
Tongatapu Island   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 52)
Vouchers cited: Yuncker 15224, Yuncker 15256; ref. doesn't mention whether native or not
Tonga
Vava‘u Group
Vava‘u Island   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 52)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 16161; ref. doesn't mention whether native or not
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Erromango Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Espirito Santo Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Maéwo Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Malakula (Malekula) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Pentecôte (Pentacost) Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Wallis and Futuna
Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands
Futuna Island   Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Australia
Australia (continental)
Australia (continental) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 3)
Central America
Central America (Pacific rim)
Costa Rica (Republic of) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
China
China
China (People's Republic of) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 3)
Japan
Japan
Japan introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Mexico
Mexico
Mexico (United Mexican States) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)
Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Seychelles
Seychelles Islands
Seychelles Islands introduced
Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)
Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica (country) invasive
Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 43)
(X)=present as a weed (but importance rank unknown)
South America (non-Pacific rim)
South America (non-Pacific rim)
Brazil introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 3)
United States (continental except west coast)
United States (other states)
United States (other states) introduced
Global Invasive Species Database (year unknown) (p. 4)

Comments:  "The risk of introduction of B[ambusa] vulgaris is very high. This species has been actively introduced in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world where it can spread widely and rapidly vegetatively by rhizomes and culm fragments. Extensive clumps can be easily formed from single culms dispersed by water or as a waste associated with human activities (O’Connor et al., 2000; Blundell et al., 2003; Little and Skolmen, 2003). Therefore, its potential to expand and colonize new areas remains high." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

"B[ambusa] vulgaris grows forming extensive monospecific stands which outcompete native vegetation by shading native plants and monopolizing resources (Blundell et al., 2003). This species also represents a serious environmental concern because it has the potential to invade native forests moving along riparian zones (Okutomi et al. 1996). It also disrupts the successional process in disturbed areas, secondary forests, and forest edges in coastal and riparian forests (Blundell et al., 2003). ¶In many Caribbean islands (i.e., Jamaica, Tobago, and Puerto Rico), B. vulgaris has colonized many streams that intersect roads and formed monocultures in some riparian areas (Blundell et al., 2003; Kairo et al., 2003). A study performed in riparian areas of the Luquillo Mountains (Puerto Rico), showed that introduced bamboos may affect native stream macro-invertebrates through alteration of food resources and habitat typically provided by leaf inputs from native, mixed-species riparian forests. This study showed that alien bamboo leaf fall exceeds that of native mixed forests, and where bamboo occurs in riparian zones, bamboo leaves undergo rapid leaching of elements during aquatic decay (O’Connor et al., 2000). In Hawaii, B[ambusa] vulgaris is considered a noxious species because it takes over and shades out all other vegetation in the wet areas where it grows (Little and Skolmen, 2003)." (CABI Invasive Species Compendium)

present in Hawaii per present in Hawaii per Alien plant invasions in native ecosystems in Hawaii, p. 538

used in agroforestry on Pacific islands (Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands, p. 40; p. 85)

Control:  "Physical: Digging plants out may require heavy equipment. Continuing removal will probably be necessary due to resprouting. Continued cutting or mowing will eventually kill most plants by exhausting food reserves. Livestock will graze shoots but cannot bring down large plants once established (PIER 2007). Toxic effects have been noted in horses that ingested large quantities of leaves (Barbosa et al. 2006). ¶Chemical: Remove tops and spray regrowth with Glyphosate or Amitrole 2%, or imazapyr or glyphosate plus fluazifop. Velpar can be used but is persistent in the soil. However, it has been reported that glyphosate does not adequately translocate to the rhizomes (PIER 2007). The effectiveness of the use of herbicides to eradicate weedy bamboo was investifgated in Puerto Rico. The study Cruzado et al[.], [sic] (1961) found that out of the 25 different compunds tested on a total of 12 bamboo species, the most effective treatements [sic] were the application of monuron, TCA and dalapon to the bases of intact or cut bamboo culms and the use of amitrole as a spray for regrowth. Combinations of these treatments were found to be most effective againast [sic] B. vulgaris. The authors note that highly resistant species required a second treatment. They also note that decaying of dead bamboo is slow." (GISD: Bambusa vulgaris, p. 3)


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This page was created on 12 SEP 2017 and was last updated on 21 MAY 2018.