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Bambusa lako (Timor Black Bamboo) - This fast-growing clump-forming bamboo has shiny dark chocolate to nearly black colored culms with some thin green striping and medium to large (for bamboo) bright green leaves on the upper half of the plant. The culms are straight and erect to about 45 to 50 feet tall with a 4-inch diameter in the tropics, but more in the 20-to-30-foot range elsewhere. Though considered a clumping bamboo, the new culms can arise up to 2 feet away from the base, so older clumps are relatively open with new shoots starting off a medium-green color and darkening as they mature.
Plant in full sun with regular irrigation and fertilize often. Grows best in warm conditions with only light frosts. It is considered hardy to 25°F - we have had it over winter without protection to 28°F and in January 2007 our plant in the garden survived 25°F but was covered at the time with frost cloth (agryl fabric).
Bambusa lako comes from the Indonesian island of Timor. The name for the genus comes from the Dutch word 'bamboes' or 'bamboo' that was a modification of Malay word 'bambu' and the specific epithet comes from the common name for the species in Tetun (Tetum), the language of East Timor. It has also been sold as Gigantochloa atroviolacea and some believe this plant should rightfully be moved into this genus. We sold this plant from 2011 until 2014 from stock plants we originally purchased from Bamboo Headquarters.
The information about Bambusa lako that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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