Calcutta bamboo (Dendrocalamus erect, Dendrocalamus strictus, Iron bamboo)
Giant herbaceous plant, up to 20 m tall. The maximum diameter of the stems is about 12 cm .
It has long elegant leaves with an intense dark green color, grains with a strongly thickened and separated from the seed pericarp, nut-shaped or drupe-shaped. Stamens are usually 6, a rather long column often ends with an unbranched stigma.
The flowers are very fragrant, white.
Blooms from November to February, fruiting from February to April.
It grows best in open sunny areas, in warm climatic zones with high humidity. For the successful cultivation of bamboo, choose a place with an optimal ratio of light and shade. In too bright light, it grows lush foliage and needs pruning more often, and stunted stems grow in dense shade. It can be recommended for growing in greenhouses and winter gardens, as well as with shelter winters in the southern regions of Russia.
It grows poorly on swampy or heavy soils. Prefers sandy loam soils with good drainage and a pH ranging from 5.5-7.5.