Guadua angustifolia
When it comes to bamboo, one particular species stands out for its exceptional growth and yield – Guadua angustifolia. This species, which is native to the tropical regions of Latin America, is known for its remarkable growth rate, with some stalks reaching heights of up to 25 meters in just a few years.
36 tons of usable Bamboo fiber per hectare
But it’s not just its size that makes Guadua angustifolia so remarkable – it’s also the amount of usable fiber it produces. According to research, a mature stand of Guadua angustifolia can yield up to 36 tons of usable bamboo fiber per hectare (100×100 meters) per year. That’s a staggering amount of material that can be used for everything from construction to textiles and beyond.
To put that in perspective, the fiber yield of mature Guadua angustifolia bamboo is six times the usable biomass of timber forests over a 25-30 year timeline. This means that bamboo can be a highly sustainable and lucrative crop for farmers and landowners, as well as a valuable resource for a wide range of industries.
What’s more, bamboo is also an excellent carbon sink, with some species capable of sequestering up to 12 tons of carbon per hectare per year. This makes it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change, as well as a sustainable source of income and livelihood for communities around the world.
Guadua grows in clumps but these clumps will continue to expand and can become 10 meters in diameter in about 10 years (under optimal conditions).
One fascinating characteristic of Guadua bamboo is that it does not have group flowering, which is a phenomenon commonly observed in many other bamboo species. Unlike these species, Guadua does not die when it blooms, making it a particularly unique and valuable variety of bamboo.
So whether you’re looking for a fast-growing and sustainable crop for your farm or business, or simply interested in the many benefits of bamboo, Guadua angustifolia is definitely a species to keep an eye on. With its impressive growth rate and high fiber yield, it is a plant that truly embodies the potential of bamboo as a resource for the future.
Guadua Angustifolia – Species
Differences between Guadua Angustifolia
Scientific classification:
Genus: Guadua
Species: Guadua angustifolia
Binomial name: Guadua angustifolia Kunth
Caña Brava
One of the most common species of bamboo that is referred to as “Caña Brava” is Guadua angustifolia, which is known for its strength, durability, and versatility. The term “Caña Brava” translates to “wild cane” in English. This species of bamboo is widely used in construction, particularly in South America, where it is used for everything from structural beams and columns to roofing and flooring. It is the most appreciated cane in the area of the Manabí province in Ecuador since, according to farmers, it has an excellent structural and pest resistance. It is characterized by the presence of 1-3 centimeters long thorns on both the basal and apical branches. Therefore its challenging to prune, harvest and transport until all thorns have been removed.
Caña Mansa
Farmers state that this type of bamboo is not as resistant as Cane brava, so despite the fact that it is easier to handle due to the absence of thorns, it is not as desirable.
Hueco Palanca
Very resistant, it is normally used as a lever for the harvest of fruit trees such as cocoa or bananas crops.
Macana
In areas of high humidity it develops well; is increasingly desirable, the variation in diameter along the culm is less than the native biotypes, making it ideal for construction.
While the straightness of Guadua macana is certainly an advantage for bamboo architects, it’s not the only reason why they love this particular species. Guadua macana is also highly resistant to pests and diseases, making it a more durable and long-lasting building material.
Additionally, its strong and flexible culms make it an ideal choice for structural applications, such as columns and beams. Furthermore, Guadua macana is known for its attractive appearance, with a smooth and uniform surface that requires minimal sanding or finishing.
This makes it a popular choice for both interior and exterior design applications. Overall, the combination of straightness, strength, durability, and aesthetics makes Guadua macana a favored species among bamboo architects and builders.