Bamboo furniture. Phyllostachys aurea. Virginia Carmiol Umaña

of the sympodial of pachymorphous group.

      There is a green colored variety, and another yellow with green stripes called Bambusa vulgaris var striata.

      It reaches 10 to 12 m in height [33 to over 39 feet], with an outside diameter of 10 cm [some 4 inches]. Bambusa vulgaris is used in craft production and is excellent for weaving, as can be seen in Figures 14, 15, and 16.

      Bambusa guadua

      Also known as Guadua angustifolia, this plant belongs to the sympodial or pachymorphous group, and is indigenous to Northwest South America.

      It develops easily in well-irrigated terrain, and below 1,500 m above sea level [4950 feet]. The stalks are gigantic and measure up to 20 to 30 meters [66 to 99 feet].

      Some attain a diameter of 20-cm [almost eight inches] and can therefore be cut with a chainsaw.

      It has excellent features for construction of buildings due to the length, straightness, thickness and resistance of the stalk; it can also be used in craftwork and in papermaking.

      Bambusa guadua is green with a white ring at the nodes; most have thorns.

      Guadua plays an important role in such nationally important projects as the National Bamboo Project. According to information from this project, guadua produces two shoots per year; there are four species in Costa Rica:

      Guadua angustifolia, known as southern guadua; it is very uniform.

      Guadua aculeata, known as Atlantic guadua; the stalk is slightly conical (its diameter is reduced toward the upper end), and it is used in the production of slats.

      Guadua amplexifolia, is very moist; currently tests are being conducted on preservation and drying.

      Guadua paniculata, only recently introduced into Costa Rica.

      Figures 17 and 18 illustrate how the inner part of the guadua’s node can be utilized in craftwork.

      Dendrocalamus giganteus

      Native to the Southeastern regions of the Asian continent; this type of bamboo is gray-green in color, excellent quality and especially resistant to insects.

      It lacks buds and reproduces by means of the terminal part of the stalk, for which reason only some 20% fertilizes. Dendrocalamus giganteus grows at altitudes below 800 m [2640 feet].

      It belongs to the sympodial or pachymorphous group. Dendrocalamus latiflorus is another variety with practically the same characteristics as the foregoing but a little thinner.

      Figure 19 shows a bamboo armchair made of Dendrocalamus giganteus in the workshop of Manuel Retana.

      Bamboo in Costa Rica

      There are national organizations that have had experience with bamboo. Regardless of the genus or species worked, they all constitute a part of the national legacy that is of great importance to our history.

      In comparison with other countries, only very recently information has been gathered but, as with a child learning to walk, the first steps are every day firmer and more assured. Based on the different applications of bamboo, several organizations have been founded, their interests centered on one or another species.

      National Bamboo Project