Family: Poaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Gigantochloa apus, commonly known as cordage bamboo or bambu tali, is a tropical clumping bamboo native to Southeast Asia, including Indonesia and surrounding regions. It is a fast-growing species with tall, slender culms that can reach impressive heights, forming dense, upright clumps. The culms are strong yet flexible, making them especially valuable for traditional uses. This bamboo has long been cultivated for its durable fibers, which are widely used for making ropes, baskets, mats, and other woven products. It is also used in light construction, fencing, and as an ornamental plant in tropical landscapes due to its graceful appearance.

Risks & Threats
Gigantochloa apus is considered a low-risk species for Hawaii. As a clumping bamboo, it spreads slowly compared to running bamboos and is less likely to become invasive or form large monocultures. There is little evidence of it naturalizing or spreading aggressively in the Hawaiian Islands. However, like many bamboos, it can form dense clumps if left unmanaged, which may outcompete nearby vegetation in small areas. With proper planting and maintenance, including monitoring clump size, this species poses minimal ecological threat and can be a sustainable and useful addition to managed landscapes.

High Risk Traits:

• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Can grow from sea level to 1500 m elevation
  
• In Java, naturalized populations have developed
  
• Produces viable seeds that may be dispersed by gravity, wind or people
  
• Will resprout after repeated cutting or harvesting of shoots and culms (may be difficult to remove from unwanted areas)

Low Risk Traits:

• No negative impacts have been documented despite reports of naturalized populations in Java
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Edible shoots
  
• Landscaping and ornamental value
  
• A sympodial, or clumping bamboo
  
• Flowering occurs in plants that are 50+ years old
  
• Lack of seed production until end of long life cycle