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ໄມ້ຂົມ / Bitter Bamboo

Language
Cite
Use
Food
Fibre
Income
Scientific Name / Family
Indosasa sinica C.D.Chu & C.S.Chao / Poaceae
Synonyms
Other Names
noh khom, noh mai khom; chaak chang (Khmu);
ha kha (Lao Sung)
English: Bitter bamboo"
Botanical Description

Bamboo grows up to 10 meters tall. Nodes along the culm (stem) have two prominent rings and are spaced between 40 and 55 cm in the middle of the stem and between 20 and 30 cm at the top and bottom. The stem wall is 0.7 to 0.8 cm thick in the mid-section, the culm (stem) sheaths are pale green, 13 to 15 cm in diameter and 29 to 39 cm long. The leaves are 20 to 22 cm long and 3 to 3.5 cm wide and glabrous. There are no flowers. Bamboo has a monopodial (single main stem) or leptomorphic (long and narrow) rhizome system. Propagation is possible by rhizome and stump, but no domestication has been observed.  (Soydara & Ketphanh, 2000).

 

Distribution in Laos: Houaphan, Oudomxai, Xayaboury, Xiengkhouang, Luang Namtha and Phongsali (Tiemann & et_al, 2022)

Habitat: this bamboo species is found in mixed forests of Northern Laos. It is most often found on hills at around 300 to 900 meters altitude. The habitat of bamboo is threatened due to agricultural expansion. Most bamboo shoots are harvested naturally. No planting is done. In some cases, this can lead to a reduction of available bamboo.  (Soydara & Ketphanh, 2000)

Availability: Shoots can be harvested from December to the end of April

Description of Use

Uses

  • Food: Bitter Bamboo shoot can be eaten both fresh and dried such as:

                - Bitter bamboo shoot sauce: Cook bitter bamboo shoots on fire, after that grind it to make bitter shoot sauce. Source: Phakhaolao

               - Bitter Bamboo soup: Cut the bamboo shoots into appropriate sizes. Bring to a boil and season. When the bamboo shoots are almost ripe, put the acacia in it. Source: YouTube

              - Stir-fried bitter bamboo shoots: Cut into small pieces and stir-fry with seasonings until bamboo shoots are cooked. PKL: Food from Northern Laos

              - Processing into dried bamboo shoots: Boil bamboo shoots until cooked. Cut into sheets and bake with fire or in the sun until the bamboo shoots are completely dry. YouTube

  • Shelter: Houses in rural areas are often constructed using bamboo: roofs, wall partitions, paneling, mats, ladders, blinds, and furniture.
  • Tools and utensils: household items, handicrafts, paper production, incense sticks, toothpicks etc.
References / Citations
NUoL; NAFRI; SNV. 2007. Non-timber forest products in the Lao PDR : a manual of 100 commercial and traditional produce. National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute.
Clayton, W.D., Harman, K.T. & Williamson, H. 2006. World Grass Species - Synonymy database. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Newman, M., Ketphanh, S., Svengsuksa, B., Thomas, P., Sengdala, K., Lamxay, V. & Armstrong, K. 2007. A checklist of the vascular plants of Lao PDR: 1-394. Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh.
Wu, Z. & Raven, P.H. (eds.) 2006. Poaceae. Flora of China 22: 1-733. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
Chaiyalad, S., & Sungkaew, S. (2013). Morphology of Some Bamboos Commonly Used in Lao PDR. Original article, 1-8.
Soydara, V., & Ketphanh, S. (2000). Case Study on the marketing group of bitter bamboo shoots. Vientiane: The Empress Hotel, Changmai, Thailand.
Chaiyalad, S., & Sungkaew, S. (2013). Morphology of Some Bamboos Commonly Used in Lao PDR. Original article, 1-8. Soydara, V., & Ketphanh, S. (2000). Case Study on the marketing group of bitter bamboo shoots. Vientiane: The Empress Hotel, Changmai, Thailand. Tiemann, T., & et_al. (2022). Value chain and market assessment of nine agricultural commodities in three provinces of Northern Laos. Laos: GIZ Laos for the CliPAD/I-GFL project.
Contributors
ລາວ: ເດືອນເພັງ ສີຫາລາດ, Eng: Manoluck bounsihalath and Editor: Keooudone Souvannakhoummane
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