Neololeba atra, the black bamboo, is a species of tropical Asian, Australian, and Papuasian bamboos in the grass family Poaceae.[1][2][3][4][5]

Neololeba atra
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Neololeba
Species:
N. atra
Binomial name
Neololeba atra
Synonyms
  • Arundarbor atra (Lindl.) Kuntze
  • Arundarbor picta (Lindl.) Kuntze
  • Arundarbor prava (Lindl.) Kuntze
  • Arundarbor tenuis (Munro) Kuntze
  • Arundinaria cobonii F.M.Bailey
  • Arundinaria papuana K.Schum. & Lauterb.
  • Bambusa atra Lindl.
  • Bambusa forbesii (Ridl.) Holttum
  • Bambusa papuana (Lauterb. & K.Schum.) K.Schum.
  • Bambusa picta Lindl.
  • Bambusa prava Lindl.
  • Bambusa tenuis Munro
  • Dendrocalamus forbesii Ridl.
  • Dendrocalamus multispiculatus K.Schum. & Lauterb.
  • Dendrocalamus papuanus (Lauterb. & K.Schum.) Pilg.
  • Gigantochloa novoguineensis Rendle
  • Leleba alba ex Schult. [Invalid]
  • Leleba nigra ex Schult. [Invalid]
  • Leleba picta ex Schult. [Invalid]
  • Leleba prava ex Schult. [Invalid]
  • Leleba rumphiana ex Schult. [Invalid]

Habit edit

Black bamboo is a short, small-culmed, green bamboo species 5–7 m high. It forms impenetrable thickets with densely clustered clumps with a large number of closely growing culms. It is native to the Philippines, Sulawesi, Maluku, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, and Queensland. It is an exotic species in Indian subcontinent countries, such as India and Sri Lanka.

Appearance edit

Culms are dark green when young, and become yellowish-green when mature and brownish-green when dry. Young shoots are also green. Internode length is 60–80 cm and diameter is about 2.5 to 5.0 cm. Culm walls are very thin. Nodes are not prominent. Branching occurs only at the top and no aerial roots can be seen.

Culm sheaths are green in young plants, becoming straw-colored when mature. Culm sheath blades are flame-shaped. The sheath proper is 9–12 cm long and 6–9 cm wide. Auricles are equal, small, and wavy, continuous with the blade, which is situated on top of the sheath. Upper surfaces of the culm sheaths are covered with light brown hairs. Under surfaces are not hairy. Sheaths fall off early.

Uses edit

In Indonesia, strips of the black bamboo are used to make window blinds and the leaves are used for thatching.

References edit

  1. ^ F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Neololeba atra". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  2. ^ "RBG Kew: GrassBase - Neololeba atra Description".
  3. ^ Widjaja, Elizabeth A. 1997. Reinwardtia 11(2): 112–119
  4. ^ Tropicos, Neololeba Widjaja
  5. ^ Australia, Atlas of Living. "Neololeba - Atlas of Living Australia". bie.ala.org.au.