Drepanostachyum falcatum aka Himalayan Bamboo

Drepanostachyum falcatum is a bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. It is evergreen, so it keeps its leaves all year. Common names include ningala bamboo and slender bamboo. It is native from the Himalayas to Indo-China. Records place it in western Nepal and parts of northern India. It grows in a subtropical climate. In the wild, it forms thick stands in damp evergreen oak forests. These sites reach about 11,800 feet [3,600 metres] above sea level.

This bamboo grows slowly to about 11.5 feet [3.5 metres] tall. Its canes measure about 0.07 feet [0.02 metres] across. The culms, or canes, are somewhat bent, with swollen nodes, or joints. This shape makes them less useful for fine weaving. Even so, people in the Himalayas use them for woven goods. Its year-round leaves make it useful in woodland gardens. It also suits the shaded edges of planted areas.

Grow it in light shade, out of harsh weather. It prefers good, loose loam and soil that drains well. It also grows well in sandy soil. It accepts soil that is mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. Keep the soil moist. Give it ample water while it grows. Outdoor plants do best in the milder parts of Britain. Its reported cold limit is about 21°F [-6°C]. In colder British areas, a conservatory is a safer place to grow it. PFAF lists USDA zones 7–10. Yet PFAF also warns that its outdoor hardiness is limited.

Plants flower fairly often in Britain. They can set seed that can grow into new plants. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen. Making seed uses much of the plant's stored energy. Flowering can weaken a plant and may kill it. Plants often recover from this strain if left alone. The species has strong resistance to honey fungus. To raise new plants, use seed or divide plants in spring. Seed may take three to six months to sprout.

People cook the young shoots and eat them as vegetables. In Nepal, they also ferment shoots to make tama. This food has a strong, sour taste. People can add it to vegetable curries. PFAF reports no known hazards or uses as medicine. People use the canes for hats, baskets, rods, and building work. Though uneven in shape, the canes remain useful for weaving. In Nepal, people also plant this bamboo to hold soil in place.