We thought you might like to know some interesting facts about bamboo!
• Firstly, bamboo is a grass, not a tree like some people think. It is the largest grass in the world, and the only type that can diversify into a forest.
• There are around 1500 different species of bamboo, ranging from small decorative species, through to huge bamboo forests.
• It is one of the fastest growing plants on the planet. One species has even been recorded to grow over 90cm per day! A bamboo plant can be fully matured in around 5 years, compared to decades for a hardwood tree. It even has the Guinness World Record for the fastest growing plant!
• Another fact about Bamboo is that native to subtropical regions, including Asia, South America and Africa.
• The bamboo plant is very resilient. It can grow in many different climates and survive extreme conditions. Some bamboo plants have been found in the Andes and Himalayas where temperatures drop below -20°C. It has also been known as the only surviving plant after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima.
• In Asian cuisine, bamboo is readily eaten in soups, salad and stir fries.
• You will find bamboo is extremely strong. It has incredible tensile strength, which is why it is used widely in the construction industry – especially for scaffolding, flooring and furniture.
• Bamboo plants release 30% more oxygen into the atmosphere than hardwood trees. It also absorbs more carbon dioxide, therefore significantly helps the environment.
• Amazingly, bamboo is a renewable and sustainable resource. Once the crop has been harvested the root will continue to grow to provide more abundant crops.
• One more bamboo facts is that it requires no chemicals or fertilizers to grow. It uses its own leaves that fall to the ground, which provide all of the nutrients it needs for healthy growth.
• You can use bamboo for a wide range of everyday products. Some of the most popular include: clothes, flooring, furniture, towels, kitchen utensils, and even skateboards and bicycle frames.
• Finally, many animals consume bamboo, the most famous being the Panda Bear.
