Umugano (Gakondo) (Common Bamboo)
Bambusa vulgaris
An erect, evergreen, clump-forming bamboo (10-20m) with bright green, glossy culms. Traditional and widely used across Rwanda ('gakondo'). A closely related, similarly-named bamboo, Bambusa textilis (weaver's bamboo/slender bamboo), is also grown locally for basketry and hedging.
- Kinyarwanda name
- Umugano (Gakondo)
- English name
- Common Bamboo
- Scientific name
- Bambusa vulgaris
- Family
- Poaceae
- Conservation status
- Least Concern (IUCN)
Habitat
Riverbanks, roadsides, wasteland and forest edges from sea level to about 1,200m.
Distribution
Believed native to tropical Asia and now pantropical through ancient cultivation; confirmed present and traditional ('gakondo') in Rwanda.
Uses
Ornamental plant, fence, construction, basketry; used to make boats, furniture and paper; split stems used for brooms, baskets and musical instruments.
Ecological importance
Its extensive fibrous rhizome mat is valuable for riverbank and erosion control; dense clumps offer wildlife cover and its leaves are browsed by livestock.
Ibisobanuro
Umulimbo, kubaka, gukora uruzitiro, kuboha ibikoresho byo mu rugo. Amababi bayagaburira amatungo mu gihe cy'impeshi. Amababi barayavuza. Hakorwamo ibikoresho binyuranye by'ubukorikori (inkooko, inkangara, intaro, etc.). Baranawubakisha kandi ni Nyaburanga. Bawukoresha kandi barwanya isuri ku nkengero z'imigezi. Uyu mugano ni gakondo mu Rwanda.