A REVIEW ON THE GENUS BAMBUSA AND ONE PARTICULAR SPECIES BAMBUSA VULGARIS IN SABAH (MALAYSIA)

Abstract

Bamboos are often and widely viewed only on their mechanical and constructions as well as for ornamental and decorative purposes. The curative and medicinal property of bamboos are overlooked or completely ignored and level of official and medical research is almost non-recognised. There are approximately 75 known bamboo genera in the world, and nine are documented and found in Sabah, Malaysia. The genera of Sabah bamboos are Bambusa, Dendrocalamus, Dinochloa, Gigantochloa, Racemobambos, Schizostachyum, Sphaerobambos, Thyrsostachys and Yushania. The distribution and habitat depend solely on geographical factors and hence leads to diversified discoveries from areas in Sabah such as Beluran, Kinabatangan, Tambunan, Ranau, Kundasang etc.. The genus Bambusa consists of six species in Sabah, namely B. blumeana, B. heterostachya, B. multiplex, B. tuldoides, B. vulgaris and one unknown species that looks similarly to B. mutabilis from South China. Compared to other genera, Bambusa is the most typical Sabah bamboos due to its importance not only in Sabah but also around the globe. Bambusa vulgaris is the commonest species of Sabah Bamboos as it can be found in all over the tropics, wild, naturalized or even cultivated. In this review, Bambusa vulgaris is emphasised most due to its availability, possible medicinal and chemical properties as well as its significance for Sabahan.