Bamboo in Africa

Although bamboo is prevalent in most tropical areas, the tropical regions of Africa hold a very limited
number of species compared to Asia and South America. The country of South Africa only has one
species. The arid regions of Northern Africa, unsurprisingly, are not home to any native species. The
tropical regions of Africa hold only 4 species of woody bamboo. Neighboring Madagascar is by far the
most diverse area in the continent with 36 recorded species found within its borders. It should also be
noted that several herbaceous bamboos are also found in the continent of Africa but they will not be
discussed on this web site.