Abstract

Among the 136 species comprising the 21 genera of bamboos recorded from India, 24 species consisting of eight genera are known to occur in peninsular India. Of these, nine species of Ochlandra which are reeds are used in the pulp and paper industry and for mat and basket-making in the traditional industrial sector in Kerala. Five species of Ochlandra, O. beddomei, O. ebracteata, O. setigera, O. sivagiriana and O. talbottii are reported to be endangered and restricted in distribution. In this paper, the distribution of Ochlandra spp. in Kerala is discussed and management strategies to be adopted are suggested