November 16, 2009

"Hanging" Bamboo (Buloh Engkarong)

I took two lovely photos with my Sony Cybershot a few days ago. Because of the lighting and some rain I wasn't able to really do justice to such a remarkable bamboo. Perhaps another time when I can capture it in better lights and weather conditions. The gathering shadows and threatening drizzle made it very difficult for me.




Have you seen this type of bamboo before?

There are more than 1000 species of bamboos in the world according to most sources and many more waiting to be discovered and documented. Some bamboo can be as huge a man's thigh (Bario) and some are so tiny they are like miniature bonsai. Bamboo is a Malay word and its Latin equivalent is bambuse.

This  photo shows what is perhaps the genus called "Lizard Bamboo" (Buloh Engkarong) by the local Ibans. It is actually more like the Spider Plant with each little clump of bamboo hanging on to another. The bamboo clumps cascade downwards and swing beautifully  with grace and poetry in the wind.

And thus perhaps like "lizards"  they "hang" from the "roof" of the jungles of Borneo.



Other sources:
1. The Bambusetum in University of Malaya
2. The Bambusetum in University of Brunei Darussalam
3. Wikikpedia

21 comments:

Lee said...

Hi Sarawakiana, I have seen, experienced this hanging bamboo, as well those with thorns in the jungles of Sarawak old days....

And love your Tongkat Ali posting....I used to get presents from a Longhouse Chief to bring home, as well kasip Fatima fairly often....
Have a nice day, Lee.

Ensurai said...

Dear Uncle Lee
Thanks for writing! I need this encouraging remark ..

Not sure about the hanging bamboo...at first I thought my observation was but a figment of my imagination and that the bamboo had grown upside down...hehehe...and then inner thoughts said that mustn't write about TA in such a manner...it is the holy grail of Malaysia!! ahem ahem...not the lower case.

The kacip fatimah...I am not sure about the plant now...two different experts showed me two different plants!!

No harm trying TA if you have the freshly dug one...

Oh it is really bitter!!

Have a great day!!

Superman said...

Never see it before. I guess I need to do more jungle trekking soon.

Ensurai said...

Hi Superman
Nice of you to visit. Hope you will find more types of bamboo when you go jungle trekking!

Cheers.

Daniel Yiek said...

David Attenborough has filmed in the Borneo jungles but he has not beaten you to this feature. :)

Ensurai said...

Oh Daniel ! I am amazed by this discovery myself!! I asked my other half about it and he said that this is not too unusual but for those with keen eyes for beauty they can find much more!!

Shshshsh don't let DA know.

Thanks.

William said...

Yes, I have seen this before.

Ensurai said...

Hi William
Where can we find some more of this type of bamboo?
Thanks.

Greenspot said...

Sarawakiana,

I think it is a bamboo which is a climber. It belongs to the genus Dinochloa. I have seen it at Bukit Aup and Lanjak-Entimau as well. There is a study in Sabah that shows that the climber bamboo affects the regeneration of logged over forest after logging.

Have a great day!!

Greenspot

Ensurai said...

Thanks Greenspot.
I am glad that this is a significant species which can help regeneration of overlogged forest!!

I hope one day to have one plant in my garden.

Greenspot said...

Sarawakiana,

Dinochloa like lots of other aggresive climbers actually hinders regeneration of our rain forest rather than help helping overlogged forest.

Greenspot

Ensurai said...

Greenspot...

ooops!


Thanks.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Not sure about this, but do you remember our primary school? The hedge along Island Road?

My aunt and her sis in laws used to pick the new needle from the bamboo. When she saw me, she would call me out on my way into school. I was so embarassed.

Now, we would consider that organic medicine.

Ensurai said...

The bamboo hedge was the source of the bamboo needles which I also took as a child...my mum used the newly grown needles and put them in a bowl with rock sugar...we took the soup so that we could not be over heated. I believe it was also a fever reducing medicine.

Must ask my mum again...

No need to be embarrassed now thinking about it...smile...

Bengbeng said...

at first i thought of asking this from u the next time u make it to Sibu but realized from the comments, u dont have it too.

I hope u dont mind I reply yr comment here. I didnt want to talk too much on my blog. The ladies on my post work in a less than ordinary profession but they set certain limits. They claimed they didnt realize they would b earning a living this way when they were promised a job here

Ensurai said...

Hi Bengbeng
Then these ladies need to find a way out..contract is contract. May be they need a lawyer to see the small prints if there is a contract.

I don't think any lady should be working in a "less than ordinary profession". So sad.

Ensurai said...

Sorry...cont'd...unless there is no other choice....But again ...there is always a choice..

yanmaneee said...

curry 5
michael kors outlet
michael kors wallet
nike huarache
coach outlet store
yeezy 700
retro jordans
yeezy boost 350
curry shoes
nike air max

tesat said...

read review click site go to my site get redirected here his response Balenciaga Dolabuy

Unknown said...

visit o6g89b8x05 replica bags china replica bags in pakistan o0d33z3j39 Related Site d1z13s6c79 louis vuitton fake replica bags in delhi s4u00t3a95 replica bags london visit the website e6e43i2w37 replica bags uk

Anonymous said...

bape hoodie
nike off white
goyard bags
kyrie 6
kyrie shoes
off white shoes outlet
golden goose
kyrie shoes
kobe
supreme hoodie

Soh Mien on First Day of Lunar New Year

 Today 10.2.2024 is the first day of the New Lunar Year of the Dragon. Yes I have cooked the chicken and made the soh mien. Happy New Year!!...