How to identify clump-forming bamboo plants?

Clumping bamboo and running bamboo are members of the grass family. There are several varieties of bamboo plants. 

Bamboo plants are common in the temperate and tropical zones mainly in Asia, Central and South America and the Pacific region. 

The plants growing in the UK, US and Australia are either clumping bamboo or running bamboo. Sometimes referred to as clumpers or runners, respectively.

5 distinct parts of a clumping bamboo

Identifying the exact bamboo can be difficult unless you have enough time, and botanical knowledge and are curious to find out. 

Also, it can be tricky to identify bamboo by its appearance. 

The 5 distinct parts will help you work out if the bamboo is a clumper or not. 

Use this diagram to help you. 

Clumping bamboo parts showing rhizome, shoot, culm base, Base buds, nodes etc.

1. Rhizome: The rhizome is short, stout and thick forming a tight clump around the parent plant.
2. Shoot and culm: New rhizome grows upright into a new shoot which eventually becomes culm close to the parent bamboo.
3. Culm base: The culm base, also called the stem base, is much thicker, at the bottom, than the culm.
4. Base buds: The base buds (the potential new shoots and rhizomes) are found very close together along the parent rhizome.
5. Rhizome nodes: The node rings (or rhizome nodes) underground are close together.

All in all, the bamboo rhizomes and underground parts are vital for separating bamboo into groups. So, take a closer look at the rhizome of bamboo if you want to work out if it is clumping or running bamboo.

How to identify clumping bamboo?

Comparing clumping and running bamboos can give you a better idea about these two varieties. 

Check out this article for in-depth information on clumping vs running bamboos). 

It is also best to know the standout features. So, what is clumping bamboo and how can bamboo growers identify it? 

Use the 5 distinct parts of the clump-forming bamboo plant to identify it.

Where to buy clumping bamboos in the UK?

We work with some big UK home and garden brands. 

Click here to check out the collection of Clumping and Running bamboo plants from the Home & Garden retailers in the UK.

If you want to grow clumping bamboo, but do not know how to pick them, this Complete Guide to Selecting Bamboo will help you. 

Download the PDF for Free

Guided questions for selecting a bamboo.

Clumping bamboo collections

Fargesia group of bamboos are popular clumping bamboo cultivars. They have a spectacular stem and sheath colourations. 

We feature many of these bamboos here at G.B.P. To find out about the 5 clumping bamboo collections listed below, click here.

• 1. Fargesia nitida
• 2. Fargesia murielae
• 3. Fargesia robusta
• 4. Fargesia umbrella bamboos
• 5. Award-winning clumping bamboos

 Simba is a popular clumping bamboo

What to do when buying bamboo?

Bamboo plants from garden shops and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon have clear labels. 

This makes it easy to identify the bamboo. However, mix-ups are likely when buying bamboo plants online and also in stores. 

Whether you are buying bamboo seeds or bamboo in pots, it is always the right thing to read the labels properly. 

Also, read the reviews and plant descriptions before making a purchase. 

What if you cannot find the bamboo you want? 

We suggest checking these renowned UK garden shops. 

If they still do not have the clumping bamboo that you want, contact them directly. In most cases, they will find what you are looking for.

Grow clump-forming bamboo plants

The 5 parts will help you to identify these bamboos successfully. 

The parts are based around the rhizomes and govern the way these bamboos behave. 

Knowing the parts and their general behaviours can help you work out if your bamboo is clump-forming or not. 

If you have any questions or cannot find what you are looking for, leave a comment and we will get back to you. You can also follow us on Twitter and YouTube.