Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae.  Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family.

 

In bamboo, as with other grasses, the internodal regions of the plant stem are hollow and the vascular bundles in the cross section are scattered throughout the stem instead of in a cylindrical arrangement.  The dicotyledonous woody xylem is also absent.  The absence of secondary growth wood causes the stems of monocots, even of palms and large bamboos, to be columnar rather than tapering.

 

Bamboos are also the fastest growing woody plants in the world.  They are capable of growing up to 60 cm (24 in.) or more per day! 

 

 

Bamboos are of notable economic and cultural significance in East Asia and South East Asia where the stems are used extensivley in everyday life as building materials and as a highly versatile raw product, and the shoots as a food source.

 

 

  

The method by which bamboo may be processed into fibre for fabric is a mechanical process similar to that used to process flax or hemp; the stalks are crushed and natural enzymes break them down further, allowing fibres to be combed out.  Bamboo fabric is known for its softness and boasts strong absorbency and anti-microbial properties.

 

Do not mistake natural bamboo fibre for bamboo rayon.  Rayon is made through a process where the fibres are broken down with chemicals and extruded through mechanical spinnerets; the chemicals include lye, carbon disulfide and strong acids.  This chemical process destroys any anti-microbial quality.