Thai Black Asper Bamboo

I along with many other friends have come to the conclusion, that the Thai Black Asper Bamboo (Dendrocalumus Asper ‘betung hitam’) may be “the best looking plant in the world”. It is a rainforest plant that will grow flawlessly in a eucalyptus forest (20m tall! 1.5m wide) but will also do okay in an open paddock position.

It is the largest growing black bamboo in the world with beautiful patch white powder on each node. It’s shoots are very delicious to eat and quite valuable, if you can bring yourself to cut one off (I couldn’t do it personally, they look amazing!).

The species handles the NSW climate fine, late shoots abort quickly or burn back inland, returning quickly in spring.