There is a plant that is used for almost every thing. It is used in construction, used for making yarn and fabric, jewelry, tools and other implements, pulp for paper, medicine, used as food and even use to make musical instruments. Not only this, it is the fastest growing woody plant on Earth. Yes, it is true. There is rather a kind of grass called Bamboo.

It has been clocked surging skyward as fast as 121 cm (47.6 inches) in a 24-hour period and can also reach maximal growth rate exceeding one meter (39 inches) per hour for short periods of time. Many prehistoric bamboos exceeded heights of 250 feet.

Bamboos play an important role in local economies throughout the world and are of

major national and international commercial importance in the Asia-Pacific region. It is estimated that 2.5 billion people depend on or use bamboo materials valued at US$ 7 billion per annum.

There are more than 70 genera divided into about 1,000 species. They are found in diverse climates, from cold mountains to hot tropical regions. They occur across East Asia, from 50°N latitude in Sakhalin through to Northern Australia, and west to India and the Himalayas. They also occur in sub-Saharan Africa, and in the Americas from the Southeastern United States south to Argentina and Chile, reaching their southernmost point anywhere, at 47°S latitude.

This fast growing plant can help us in a lot of ways. Because of its high rate of growth it can form one of the biggest contributors of reducing greenhouse gases. It can grow at almost every kind of place makes it flexible enough for mass plantation. The pulp it gives is used for so many different purposes. It can be used as bio-fuel to produce electricity, for paper production. Especially in developing countries where it grows it can provide a source of income and employment. It has already shown its commercial importance so I think the governments should take a more proactive role in developing bamboo in places where other crops cannot be grown. So you see the two most important E’s environment and economy can get some help from bamboo.

With all these valuable traits the bamboo is rally a miracle plant.