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Bamboolike Plants

There are over 1,000 bamboo species divided among more than 100 genera within the larger grass family Poacea. That does not include the many plants plants that look like bamboo but are classified in other families. Bamboo and its cousin grass species are not just pretty plants that panda bears eat -- they are without doubt the most important plants for humans, as they are the main source of food for humans and their domestic animals. Examples of bamboolike plants include sugar cane, bamboo muhly, giant reed and Job's tears.

Sugar Cane
- Sugar cane, or Saccharum officinarum, has thick bamboolike stems which are often confused with bamboo. It most likely originated from New Guinea where the native people selected the sweeter and softer forms of its wild variety, the saccharum robustum, for chewing. Sugar cane is, as its name indicates, a rich source of sugar crystals. Sugar cane and sugar beet are the two most common sources for the sugar used in your home and in industrial food processing.
Bamboo Muhly
- Bamboo muhly is an ornamental plant that is not part of the bamboo family of species but has bamboolike stems to which it owes its name. The bamboo muhly is popular among gardeners and landscapers because it provides the attractive and peaceful bamboo look while it maintains the versatility and low-maintenance characteristics of the lawn grasses it is related to.
Giant Reed
- The giant reed is, not surprisingly, a huge plant, which grows in shallow water pools and can reach heights of up to 20 feet. It is topped by large, flowerless and feathery clusters. The hard and thick stems of this bamboolike plant, which can be up to 2 inches thick, are used as a source for industrial cellulose and for the construction of musical instruments.
Job's Tears
- Job's tears, or Coix lacryma-jobi, is a tall, bamboolike, roadside grass which is often mistaken as bamboo but is, along with corn and sugar cane, part of the Andropogon tribe of plants. The name of the plant originates from its teardrop-shaped seeds and the biblical patriarch Job. These seeds are naturally polished and have a hole through them which make them an ideal bead to make necklaces and bracelets.

Nature