Abstract

All the information available on bamboos occurring in India is compiled and arranged species-wise for the preparation of a Compendium. The information is mainly categorised into descriptionflowering and fruitingdistribution and ecologyanatomy, morphology and fiber characteristicschemistry, siviculture and managementpests and diseasesphysical and mechanical propertiesnatural durability and preservation and uses. As per the recent taxonomic status 18 genera and 128 species are known to occur in India. Majority of the publications were restricted to about ten percent of the total species which are commercially important and widely distributed like Bambusa bambos and Dendrocalamus strictus. For about 60 species not even the taxonomic description is complete. These include 20 species for which description on reproductive parts is lacking and 40 species for which description of caryopsis is not available. Similarly information is lacking for many other important