Dendrocalamus strictus aka Male Bamboo

Dendrocalamus strictus is a woody bamboo in the grass family. Gardeners know it as male bamboo or Calcutta bamboo. Its native range spans the Indian subcontinent and Indo-China. It grows in open forests that shed their leaves. These sites include hill slopes, ravines, and river plains. People gather it from the wild and grow it for stems. It ranks among India's main bamboos for practical use.

This fast-growing plant forms clumps of curved, woody stems called culms. In cultivation, it reaches about 49 feet [15 metres]. Its spread can reach about 10 feet [3 metres]. Broader accounts give heights of 20–66 feet [6–20 metres]. The culms have thick walls and clear joints. Most measure about 0.08–0.25 feet [0.025–0.075 metres] across. The spaces between joints span 1–1.5 feet [0.3–0.45 metres]. It keeps its leaves through most of the year. Long dry spells can cause it to shed them.

This bamboo grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It tolerates brief frosts down to about 23°F [−5°C]. It also withstands summer heat near 113°F [45°C]. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 9–12. Full sun suits it, though it also accepts light shade. It prefers coarse, stony soil that drains well. Poor soil does not rule it out. Many soil types suit it when excess water drains away. Waterlogged ground and dense, heavy clay do not suit it. It accepts mildly acid to neutral soil. Established plants tolerate drought and both dry and moist ground.

Wind carries pollen between its flowers. The supplied sources give no set flowering season. People cook the young shoots as a vegetable. The seeds also have food uses. Plants For A Future reports no known hazards. That does not establish safety for every use or animal. Traditional medicine uses preparations from leaves, nodes, and silica-rich material. The evidence does not establish their medical value.

Its tall clumps provide a source of useful woody stems. Growers also use it to help restore eroded ravine land. People turn the culms into poles, tools, bridges, and scaffolding. Split stems supply material for baskets, furniture, and walking sticks. Paper mills also use the stems. Harvesting starts after clumps begin making full-sized culms. Only stems over three years old suit harvest. Cutting should avoid the growing season. The sources name no specific pests or diseases.