A tropical plant consisting of tall, green, tubular stems. It is technically a type of grass, but its woody tissue is as strong as timber, and the tallest species can grow to a height of nearly 100 feet (30 meters). Most species are native to Southeast Asia (around 64%), but the plant is also common in Latin America (around 33%). The rest are native mostly to Africa and Oceania, but North America does has 3 native species.
Bamboo is used for a variety of things, including cooking, construction, textiles, paper, furniture, and traditional medicine.
It is a dietary staple of the giant panda, together with which it is frequently depicted.
