A stunning and attractive variety of black bamboo, Bambusa lako is a popular species for ornamental use. Commonly known as Timor Black Bamboo, it is native to the island of Timor in Indonesia, where it is harvested and utilized for various commercial uses, including furniture, arts and crafts. The beautiful poles can grow 50-60 feet high and 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Culms walls are relatively thick, providing high structural integrity.
Fresh shoots and young culms of Timor Black come up dark green, the culm sheaths being covered with little dark hairs. Over time, the culms darken eventually taking on a shiny, black sheen. But a thick green stripe often remains, running vertically along the internodes. This adds to the plant’s alluring appearance.
On account of its shiny, black splendor, Bambusa lako has been introduced to Australia and the United States as an ornamental specimen. In addition to its striking color, gardeners appreciate the tight clumping habit of this non-expansive bamboo variety. It’s a desirable alternative to Phyllostachys nigra, the more common black bamboo variety. However, the tropical species requires a fairly warm and virtually frost-free climate. Within the US, it does best in Hawaii, but also grows in southern Florida.
Bambusa lako is very similar to Gigantochloa atroviolacea, so much so that some experts believe Timor Black should be reclassified. Better known as Java Black, Gigantochloa atroviolacea is endemic to the central Indonesian island of Java. Here it is widely used for building material and other rustic crafts.
Further reading
Bambu Batu features hundreds of articles about bamboo and dozens that describe and identify various species and genera. To learn more, take a look at some of these popular articles.
- Growing bamboo: A complete how-to guide
- Bamboo in Timor-Leste
- Tropical and subtropical bamboo
- The 7 most useful bamboo species
FEATURE IMAGE: Bambusa lako, with characteristic culm sheaths, growing in Uganda. (Photo by Chrispus Ongom)
