8. HIMALAYACALAMUS

Clump-forming thornless bamboos up to 8m tall, found from 1,800m to 2,500m in cool broadleaved forest, and also widely cultivated. They have single flowers, short buds, and 1540 branches. Leaves do not have the cross-veins seen in Thamnocalamus and Borinda species, and internodes are less than 40cm long, shorter than those of most species of Cephalostachyum and Teinostachyum. Although similar to species of Drepanostachyum, they differ in many ways. Branch buds at mid-culm nodes 

have fewer initials visible (fig. 35 vs. fig. 31). Branches are fewer, usually around 15 in the first year. They vary in size, are more erect, and do not spread right around the culm. Basal culm internodes are progressively longer. The culm sheaths are completely smooth inside, and in most species they are broad towards the top, with a short ligule. Inflorescences are more racemose, with shorter, denser clusters of spikelets. The new shoots of several species are edible.