Fourteen species of bamboo - ten of them with great potential- are cultivated in the Botanical Garden of this province, a territory that does not have large areas of this plant although they could increase from various actions to multiply its existence.
Las Tunas, Cuba.- For this purpose, the governing role of the institution stands out, committed to preserving the phylogenetic background of that family; that is increasing the species and the number of individuals, according to the engineer Yankón Labrada Capote, a specialist in Science, Technology, and Environment.
He pointed out that heeling in, propagation, and planting are carried out in the internal areas to protect the bamboo population, besides beautifying the environment and increasing the biodiversity of species in the center, the province, and the country.
Most of these specimens of flora develop perfectly in the dry areas of the Las Tunas territory, one of the most deserts in Cuba, as they have already adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the region; the best example is the collection at El Cornito motel, in this city.
In the area - the birthplace of the poet Juan Cristóbal Nápoles Fajardo (El Cucalambé) -, the largest reserve of bamboo, of the variety Bambusa vulgaris Sharader ex Wenland, known as Caña bamboo, Pito, or Caña brava, is located. However, it is possible to extend the plant throughout the province and reforest rivers, basins, and dams.
In fact, in the Garden, the species Bambusa bambos L is used as the fence, which helps to protect the place and conserve the environment because they absorb a large amount of carbon dioxide and contribute oxygen to the atmosphere.
Bamboo is a very important plant to protect the environment from harmful substances and its roots prevent the rains from washing away the earth. Added to this are numerous uses of this timber grass in the production of musical strings, furniture, and other handicrafts; and in the construction of warehouses, homes, and palapas, in which its consistency and durability are proven.
Its use is also reported in the manufacture of medicines and acupuncture needles, for the pharmaceutical industry, and in feeding people and animals; while contributing to beautify the landscape and decontaminate the atmosphere.
Bamboo species existing in the Botanical Garden of Las Tunas
Bambusa bambos L
Bambusa vulgaris Sharader ex Wenland
Bambusa vulgaris var ¨striata¨ A and C. Riviere
Bambusa longispiculata Gamble ex Brandi
Bambusa multiplex cv ¨Alphonse Karr¨
Bambusa multiplex cv ¨ Fern leaf ¨
Bambusa oldhamii Munro
Guadua angustifolia Kunth
Dendrocalamus stritus Nees
Dendrocalamus sikkiimensis Gamble ex Oliver
Phyllostachys flexuosa A and C. Riviere
Lithacne pauciflorus
Lasiacis rhizophora ¨ Tibisí¨
Ginerium sagitatum
