Bamboo (Bambusa species)

Also known as: clumping bamboo

Bamboo is a clumping plant with hollow greenish-yellow canes. Dense stands grow to exclude other vegetation.

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How does this weed affect you?

Bamboo is a member of the grass family. Although not as invasive as running bamboo (Phyllostachys species), clumping types of bamboo (Bambusa species) have proven to be problematic in parts of Australia where dense, clumping stands of bamboo exclude other vegetation. There are over 100 species of Bambusa, with three native to northern Australia. 

How does it spread?

Bamboo rarely produces seed. It spreads as a dense clump, by producing shoots from the ends of its rhizomes (underground stems) close to the orginal clump. Dumping of garden rubbish containing rhizome fragments results in spread from gardens into bushland and other areas.  

What does it look like?

Bamboo is a woody, clumping plant. The various species of bamboo can occur as shrubs through to trees. The stems of bamboo are circular in cross-section, and hollow. Leaves have parallel veins. Bamboo can be distinguished from rhizomatous or running bamboo (Phyllostachys spp.) whose stems are flattened and grooved in cross section. 

References

Auld, B. and Medd, R. (1987), Weeds: An illustrated botanical guide to the weeds of Australia, Department of Agriculture New South Wales, Melbourne.

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Control

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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PERMIT 11916 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 50 parts water
Comments: Spot spray regrowth up to 0.5 m tall. For use in urban bushland, forests and coastal reserves. See permit for critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump. Retreatment necessary.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 L per 100 L of water.
Comments: Spray all of the foliage on actively growling plants between 1 and 2 m tall.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 6 parts water
Comments: Cut stump method. Cut stems to 20 cm. Pour mixture down stem or wet cut.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.

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Reviewed 2024