The humble Bamboo clump found throughout Asia is significant for both economic and cultural reasons. The stems of the plant are used in things as diverse as building materials, scaffolding and furniture as well as cooking utensils.
The Bamboo is also a food source for both humans and animals while it also plays a significant role in Chinese culture and medicines. It can even be woven into fabric and is also used to make musical instruments.
The Bamboo clump is known for its longevity(can be up to 120 years) which only ends during a mass flowering of the plants(of certain species), this in itself is a significant event and on the Indian sub-continent has been linked to times of famine since the indigenous people and animals rely on the plant so much. Deprived of a food source many rodent populations have been known to invade villages in India seeking an alternative food source.
Many old Buddhist manuscripts were actually written on Bamboo and you can still see examples at temples in Thailand. The clump of Bamboo in today’s photograph is on the main road through my village here in Thailand.
Equipment: Canon EOS 1000D 55mm Lens
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