Bamboos
Original title: Bambus
Describes six bamboo species grown in Madeira, mainly ornamental, used for hedges in quintas, hammock poles and fishing rods.
This name covers the following species, belonging to the grass family (Gramineae): Bambusa arundinacea, B. nana, B. mitis, Phyllostachys nigra, Arundinaria falcata and A. metake. The first is recognised by its thick, tall culms, sometimes used as hammock poles (pau de rede); the second, extremely common in quintas (country estates) and gardens, by its lanceolate, somewhat glaucous leaves; the third by its green, striated leaves; the fourth by its black culms; the fifth by its culms bearing elongated branches, with linear-lanceolate, very sharp-pointed leaves; and the sixth by its lanceolate, dark green leaves with very sharp points.
Bamboos, almost all of them native to India, China or Japan, are highly ornamental and are commonly used for hedges within quintas. Bambusa nana (B. viridi glaucescens) provides good fishing rods.
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Place
Places mentioned · 03
- China
Origin of most bamboos.
China is cited in the Elucidário as the country of origin of many plants grown in Madeira, including the tangerine, most bamboos, the apricot, the peach, the dwarf banana, the boganga and the cacho roxo. It is also named as one of the places where the palanquin was used to carry persons of rank.
- India
Origin of most bamboos.
India is recorded as the place where several Madeirans served, including Lopo de Abreu, Pedro da Silva and the viceroy João Saldanha da Gama. The fame of Madeiran levada builders reached it. It is the native region of plants grown on Madeira, among them the mango, Hedychium gardnerianum, balsam and most bamboos.
- Japan
Origin of most bamboos.
Japan is the Asian country cited as the place of origin of several plants grown in Madeira, including the camphor tree, the camellia, the loquat, Osmanthus fragrans and most bamboos. It is also the country where the first diocese in the Far East to which D. Sebastião de Morais was appointed was created.