Ventricosa is a wonderful clumping (non-invasive) bamboo. Under stressful conditions it will dwarf in height and nodes will swell and shorten as in this photo. Under favorable condions it will grow as a giant producing canes up to 50 feet. This is a clumping bamboo that would only require a 5' radius. Hardy to 15 degrees F.
by johndrum1 Jan 11, 2002 8:49 PM
B.v. Buddha's Belly (Roy Rogers--Tampa, Fl)
by RoyRogers Jul 3, 2004 9:16 AM
typical culms when NOT stressed or water-restricted... pretty messy, crazy bamboo- gets enormous!
by palmbob Aug 25, 2004 11:18 AM
Here's a well controlled (cut back frequently) clump in Pasadena CAlifornia in the botanical gardens
by palmbob Aug 25, 2004 11:18 AM
Huge clump of Buddha's Belly Bamboo at Kanapaha.
by Nov 18, 2006 11:38 PM
Panaewa Zoo, Hilo, Hawaii
by palmbob Mar 21, 2007 1:45 AM
The 'mess' that is this bamboo if put in ground and watered well.. notice densely packed vegetation, and total lack of 'buddha bellying'. Hawaii
by palmbob Mar 21, 2007 1:47 AM
Stems of bambusa ventricosa are very attractive.
by Zaragoza Nov 10, 2009 3:54 PM
Bambusa ventricosa in China.
by Zaragoza Nov 10, 2009 3:54 PM
The Huntington Botanical Gardens
by growin Aug 21, 2011 11:10 PM
The Huntington Botanical Gardens
by growin Aug 21, 2011 11:11 PM
The Huntington Botanical Gardens
by growin Aug 21, 2011 11:11 PM
Young swollen nodes. To get culms to swell, roots must be restricted. Here they're in a pit carved in lava.
by Metrosideros Sep 17, 2013 3:54 PM