Appreciating Products Made Of Bamboo

Editor: syracusepapa

Bamboo is a special plant, a woody plant, member of the grass family. It lives for more than two years and retains its leaves all year round. Gardeners and others consider bamboo to be invasive and difficult to manage because of the hardiness, strength and power of its growth patterns. It can grow up to 4 feet per day, and once established, it is difficult to remove bamboo without removing the entire system of underground rhizomes. If any remaining leaves photosynthesize, the bamboo will persist and thrive.

Bamboo's two major colors are "natural", a light brown color similar to Beech, and carbonized, a steamed beech with a dark brown color similar to Oak.

Bamboo is widely used as a food in Asia. Bamboo shoots (new bamboo culms that show above ground) are eaten in many dishes and broths. Its sap is fermented to make sweet wines, liquors or soft drinks.

Bamboo is used in China to treat infections and to provide potassium.

Bamboo leaves are used as wrappers for steamed dumplings in China, and the stalk hollows are often used to cook food, boil soups, and steam tea.

Treated bamboo results in a very hard, light and tough wood; therefore, it has been used to make a multitude or products for the home and the community, such as fences, toilets, furniture, paper, fabric, musical instruments, art, and decorative pieces.

I have recently become aware of a bamboo birdhouse wind chime made from bamboo that has special, desirable characteristics. It is featured on Overstock. Its bamboo is decorative and musical as it adds beauty and rhythmical, musical bamboo sounds to your indoor or outdoor decor. It has natural bamboo combined with woven bamboo fibers. The description on Overstock tells it better than I can. It says:

"Bamboo's inherent, natural acoustics entertain and delight in a unique, carefree, Calypso type, bamboo rhythm when the wind blows. It is a beautiful, natural sound that is peaceful and relaxing."

Cultures of the world consider bamboo to be not only very useful, but also symbols of many important culture values, such as long life (China) and friendship (India).

Bamboo is indeed a special plant.

Categories: Decorating | Ethnic and Regional