BAMBOO, CARAMEL - PLAIN PRESSED

Also known as: Chinese Moso Bamboo

Botanical Name: Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens

Origin: Eastern China

Description: Moso Bamboo is the most important bamboo species in China and is the main one used for timber production . Botanically a grass, it is said to grow faster than any other plant in the world – up to a metre or more in 24 hours, eventually reaching a height of some 20 to 30 metres. The diameter of each cane varies between 6 and 18 cms. with up to 40 cms. length between each node. All this, combined with its inherent natural strength, means that it is large enough to be used successfully as a “timber” when it is harvested at around five years of age. It is available as a fleece backed lay-on veneer around 2.5M in length and in two colours - natural (light) and caramel (brown), and two different cuts – horizontal (also known as plain pressed), which shows wide strips, and vertical (side pressed), showing narrow ones.