The Morgan Hill Library will host the free program,
“Bamboo – the Plant of Many Uses,” on Saturday, May 22, 10:30
-11:30 Our speaker is Henry Bankhead, a local bamboo expert and
member of the Northern California Chapter of the American Bamboo
Society.
The Morgan Hill Library will host the free program, “Bamboo – the Plant of Many Uses,” on Saturday, May 22, 10:30 -11:30
Our speaker is Henry Bankhead, a local bamboo expert and member of the Northern California Chapter of the American Bamboo Society. Henry, also is a South Valley reference librarian, is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable speaker.
Bamboo is “in” – we see it everywhere. Bamboo plants in markets. Arrangements of twisted bamboo stems. Beautiful bamboo flooring.
Here is some interesting trivia from the website of the American Bamboo Society and the World Book Encyclopedia about this fascinating, much-maligned plant:
• It is notoriously hard to identify. The American Bamboo Society estimates nearly 2000 varieties.
• It is famously fast-growing. One plant is reported to have grown 36 inches in twenty-four hours.
• It is a giant grass with a hollow stem with hard, thick joints, distantly related to wheat, oats, and barley.
• Stems have ornamental and functional uses – from fishing poles to baskets.
• The breaking point of laminated bamboo is nearly equal to soft steel.
At the Saturday program, you can see bamboo specimens, learn about bamboo gardening, the types of bamboo and its many uses.
To see a local bamboo garden, you may want to visit Hakone Gardens in Saratoga. This historic Japanese garden has a tranquil bamboo garden within it and also has displays of a variety of bamboos.
Whatever the subject, we invite you to grow your mind at the Morgan Hill Library.
Questions and suggested topics for At the Library, which appears in Tuesday editions, should be directed to Nancy Howe, community librarian, at nh***@**********************ca.us or by calling 779-3196. The Morgan Hill Library, located at the corner of Peak and West Main avenues next to City Hall, is open every day but Sunday.
