The Amazing Gift to Mankind
Bamboos are part of the Poaceae (sometimes also called Gramineae) the family of grasses.
It is estimated that there are 1200-1500 species of bamboo in the world and they share certain basic similarities that place them apart from other grasses.
Bamboo have segmented woody stems (called culms) typically hollow that sprout from underground stem portions (called rhizomes).
Bamboo have a complex system of branching, leaf blades that have a distinctive internal organization of the tissues and which are basically narrowed to form a stalk-like connection with the leaf sheath and flowers that typically each have three perianth-like structures (lodicules) and six stamens.
Bamboos are classified into genera on the basis of similar characteristics. Genera are sometimes related enough by distinct sets of character states to be grouped as subtribes and these in turn as tribes.
