Abstract
Melocanninae, the thin-walled tropical bamboo subtribe of tribe Bambuseae, holds significant ecological and socioeconomic value. The subtribe is mainly concentrated in the Asian continent, in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia. Even with their immense ecological, economic and cultural significance, they are seldom cultivated. Traditional uses of the species within this subtribe are better known and documented than their modern uses. The review aims to compile the existing knowledge on the subtribe Melocanninae with an emphasis on taxonomy, material properties and their ecological and socioeconomic roles. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases. Flora and herbarium records were reviewed to synthesize a holistic overview of the current status and future prospects of the subtribe. The review synthesizes current knowledge on the diversity and distribution of Melocanninae species, along with their anatomical, mechanical, and chemical properties that make them suitable for various traditional and emerging applications. The study also highlights their importance in traditional and cultural practices and rural livelihoods. Recent flowering events and existing propagation methods are also highlighted. Key challenges, such as habitat degradation and overexploitation, are identified, and potential strategies for sustainable management are outlined. The review emphasizes the versatility of the members of subtribe Melocanninae as sustainable natural resources and highlights the need for focused research and conservation strategies to enhance their utilization and long-term management.
1 Introduction
Bamboo, in the subfamily Bambusoideae of Poaceae, is distributed across the world, ranging from sea level to highlands in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions, except Antarctica. Its diverse utility, has ingrained it deeply into the life of people, especially in South Asian countries, as a cultural and ecological entity (Judziewicz et al., 1999; ; Judziewicz and Clark, 2007; ; ; ; ; Maurya et al., 2025). China is reported to have the largest bamboo diversity, followed by India ().
Bambusoideae is one of the most successful and diverse subfamilies, featuring woody and herbaceous bamboos. The woody bamboos are included in two tribes: Bambuseae (tropical woody bamboos) and Arundinarieae (temperate woody bamboos). Paleotropical Woody Bamboos (PWB) and Neotropical Woody Bamboos (NWB) represent the two distinct clades within Bambuseae. PWB include four subtribes: Bambusinae, Hickeliinae, Melocanninae and Racemobambosinae. They are distributed across Asia, Africa, Madagascar and northern Australia, with major centers of diversity in Southeast Asia and Madagascar. NWB comprise a clade native to the Western Hemisphere, distributed across South American countries, Mexico and Caribbean archipelagos. Arthrostylidiinae, Chusqueinae and Guaduinae are the major subtribes. Phylogenetically, PWB form a well-supported and largely monophyletic group. It generally exhibits hexaploidy, while NWB remains predominantly tetraploid. NWB has no identified morphological or anatomical synapomorphy (Guerreiro, 2014; Ruiz-Sanchez et al., 2021). Though both groups exhibit considerable diversity, PWB are more extensively utilized and economically significant, particularly in Asia. PWB are used as construction materials, fibers, utensils, musical instruments, agricultural tools, furniture and ornamental plants. The young bamboo shoots of many species are edible (Wong, 1989, 2004; Yang et al., 2004). Major clades of PWB are defined by ovary characters (Yang et al., 2007a).
Equivalent families are grouped to form a tribe, a taxon of huge importance in taxonomic nomenclature (Soreng et al., 2017). Among the tribe Bambuseae, Melocanninae is one of the important and well-established subtribe. It includes genera like Cephalostachyum, Melocanna, Ochlandra, Schizostachyum, Pseudostachyum and Davidsea and is mainly distributed across the Asian continent. Melocanninae is the second most diverse subtribe with more than hundred accepted species in PWB. Species within Melocanninae are particularly valued for their thin-walled culms and versatility in traditional applications, such as handicrafts, construction and as raw materials for the paper and pulp industry. Some species also provide edible bamboo shoots and fruits. Despite their immense ecological, economic and cultural significance, the species of this subtribe are not extensively cultivated.
Multigenic phylogenetic analysis has identified Melocanninae as monophyletic (Sungkaew et al., 2009) and with sister relationships to the remaining paleotropical woody bamboos (Kelchner and Bamboo Phylogeny Group, 2013). However, despite their ecological and socio-economic importance, research on Melocanninae remains fragmented, with existing studies largely focusing on isolated aspects such as taxonomy, utilization or material properties. A comprehensive synthesis integrating diversity, distribution, material characteristics, traditional and industrial applications, and conservation challenges of this subtribe is still lacking.
The present review aims to compile and synthesize existing knowledge on the subtribe Melocanninae, with particular emphasis on its diversity, utilization, material properties and conservation challenges. By integrating dispersed information into a unified framework, this study highlights the significance of Melocanninae as a sustainable bioresource and provides insights for future research, policy development, and conservation strategies.
A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases such as Google Scholar, CABI, Scopus, Web of Science and botanical monographs, to comprehensively review the subtribe Melocanninae. Taxonomic accuracy and nomenclatural stability are maintained by cross-referencing and validating all species names and synonyms with Plants of the World Online (POWO) and the International Plant Names Index (IPNI). Keywords related to genera (Cephalostachyum, Melocanna, Ochlandra, Schizostachyum etc.), morphology, material properties, molecular phylogeny, phytogeography and ethnobotanical importance, along with Boolean operators, were used in the literature search. Identified records were subjected to a rigorous screening process based on predefined inclusion criteria, prioritizing peer-reviewed primary research and documented herbarium records to synthesize a holistic overview of the current status and future prospects of the subtribe.
2 Nomenclatural history and genera of Melocanninae
Melocanninae was first established and described by , considering the classification of bamboos by Munro (1868), based on fruit structure, number of stamens and lodicules. Bentham then called the subtribe Melocanneae, including genera Dinochloa Buse, Melocanna Trinius, Ochlandra Thwaites and Schizostachyum Nees. They had common characteristics like single-flowered spikelets and a crustaceous or fleshy pericarp separable from the seed.
refined the subtribe, highlighting the floral characteristics, stamen number, single flowered spikelet, glume-like palea and crustaceous or fleshy pericarp separable from the seed as identifying features of the subtribe. Stapef (1897) also identified the subtribe with characteristics similar to those of Gamble. Holttum (1946), after critical examination of characters like spikelets, convolute palea, flat lodicule and free pericarp described Melocanneae with genera Melocanna, Schizostachyum and Ochlandra. This was called the Schizostachyum group of PWB based on style characters.
The subtribe status was upheld by in their classification system of grasses. Soderstrom and Ellis (1988) identified the subtribe as Schizostachydinae based on leaf anatomy with genera Cephalostachyum, Leptocanna, Melocanna, Schizostachyum, Ochlandra, Pseudostachyum, Davidsea, Schizostachyum and Teinostachyum, predominantly distributed in lowland tropical Asia and Madagascar. Tzvelev (1989), recognized Melocanneae (Bacciferae) as a tribe with eight genera and seventy-two species based on rhizomes, inflorescences and fruit structure. Spikelets and caryopsis with thickened and easily removable pericarp were recognized as the major identifying features of the tribe.
Following Soderstrom and Ellis (1988), treated Schizostachydinae as a synonym of Melocanninae. They identified genera like Cephalostachyum, Davidsea, Melocanna, Neohouzea, Ochlandra, Pseudostachyum, Schizostachyum and Teinostachyum and were widely accepted and followed. Keng and Wang (1996), recognized Melocanneae as a tribe based on inflorescence, fruit and rhizome characters including Thyrsostachyum, Melocalamus and Dinochloa, in addition to genera like Schizostachyum and Ochlandra. Li (1999), described Melocanninae on the basis of rhizome, inflorescence and ovary appendage and included nine genera Cephalostachyum, Davidsea, Letocanna, Melocanna, Neohouzea, Ochlandra, Pseudostachyum, Schizostachyum and Teinostachyum.
Ohrnberger (1999) in his book The Bamboos of the World, recognized the subtribe Melocanninae comprising genera Cephalostachyum, Davidsea, Dendrochloa, Melocanna, Neohauzea, Ochlandra, Pseudostachyum, Schizostachyum and Teinostachyum. His book also carried a comprehensive account of the individual species, including their common names, distribution and features. He treated the Davidsea and Dendrochloa as monotypic genera with Davidsea attenuata and Dendrochloa distans respectively, as representative species. Melocanna arundina and Melocanna baccifera were the two accepted species that he identified in the genus Melocanna.
Recent molecular phylogenetic studies using plastid and nuclear DNA have confirmed the monophyly of Melocanninae, a subtribe that diverged early from Paleotropical woody bamboos (; Zhang, 1996; Kelchner and Clark, 1997; ; Yang et al., 2007a; Sungkaew et al., 2009; ). Studies have also established the generic status of Cephalostachyum Munro, Ochlandra Thwaites, Pseudostachyum Munro and Schizostachyum Nees, merging Neohauzea with genus Schizostachyum based on one nuclear and two chloroplast markers (; ).
However, the taxonomic position of Teinostachyum has not been established conclusively. Although some authors have synonymized the genus with Schizostachyum, inflorescence characters like loosely arranged spikelets, absence of gemmiparous bracts in spikelets and a perfectly keeled palea support its generic status. Recent revisionary works (Kumar, 2011; Kumari, 2019; Sijimol, 2019; Sijimol et al., 2020, 2022) identify the genera morphologically, to an extent, with molecular markers.
Morphological characteristics of the subtribe are short-necked or elongated rhizome with medium-sized, small, hollow, and thin-walled culm with nodes without patella. Culm nods with a single bud, may give rise to subequal branches and a conspicuous white waxy ring below the node. Culm sheaths may have fimbriate auricles, without oral setae, while leaf sheaths may have fimbriate auricles. Spicate, or capitate pseudo-spikelets; two or four glumes in spikelets, winged or wingless keeled palea; varying number of stamens (generally six, can be between fifteen and one hundred and twenty in Ochlandra), with free or fused filaments. Glabrous ovary, with a long, slender, hollow style and 2–3 stigmas (Holttum, 1956; Wong, 1995). Caryopsis can be basic, baccate (Melocanna, Ochlandra, Stapletonia) or nucoid (Pseudostachyum) (; ) (Figures 1, 2). The subtribe exhibits polyploidy (allohexaploid) with chromosome number 2n= 72 ().
Figure 1
Figure 2
3 Origin and distribution of subtribe
Plastid phylogenomics establishes the origin of the subtribe in the Miocene era in South and Southeast Asia. The rapid diversification happened from eastern Himalayas to northern Myanmar, from where it diversified into the Asian mainland, Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of south India, Malaysia and Oceania (). The members of this subtribe are distributed in the Old-World tropics mainly in Southeast and East Asia in countries like Africa, Madagascar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, China and Myanmar ().
Annamocalamus is native to Indo-China; Cephalostachyum is native to the Indian subcontinent, South Central China, Indo-China and Philippines; Melocanna to the Indian subcontinent to Indo-China; Ochlandra is restricted to India and Sri Lanka. Schizostachyum is native to Madagascar, Tropical and Subtropical Asia and the Pacific. About 70% of the species of Melocanninae are currently recognized in this genus, which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, from southern China to the Malesian region and extending to the Pacific Islands, with most species in China, Malaysia and Indonesia. Pseudostachyum is native to Assam to South China; Davidsea is native to Sri Lanka. Genus Ochlandra is mainly confined to the tropical deciduous and evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India, as large reed breaks and also in Sri Lanka.
The members of the subtribe Melocanninae are primarily adapted to tropical and subtropical forest ecosystems, occupying a range of ecological niches across their distribution. These bamboos commonly thrive in moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen forest zones, often associated with riverbanks, hill slopes and forest edges. Most of the Schizostachyum members are found on the edge of disturbed forest in wet hilly areas or hill sides.
In the Western Ghats, India, Ochlandra species such as O. travancorica and O. scriptoria are typically found forming dense reed brakes along perennial streams in evergreen forests, where they play a crucial role in soil retention and riparian stability (Sujatha et al., 2008). In Northeast India, species like Melocanna baccifera and Schizostachyum dullooa are common in well-drained bamboo brakes of tropical moist deciduous forests and hill forests up to 1,000 m elevation (Seethalakshmi and Kumar, 1998; Kellogg et al., 2020). These habitats are often subjected to anthropogenic pressure, including shifting cultivation and overharvesting, which pose additional threats to their natural regeneration and persistence. Some genera, such as Cephalostachyum and Teinostachyum, show a preference for mid-elevation slopes with high humidity and diffused light, while Davidsea is endemic to montane regions of Sri Lanka (; ). The species in the subtribe have specific ecology and limited distribution. This makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat degradation and shifts in forest composition.
4 Uses of Melocanninae
Based on their role in natural ecosystems and human livelihoods, the uses of Melocanninae can be broadly categorized into socio-economic and ecological functions.
4.1 Socio-economic importance
The species in the subtribe are characterized by thin-walled culms with long internodes, which make them ideal for crafting various household and utility items (Figure 3). Several species of this subtribe hold cultural and economic significance (Kumari and Singh, 2014; Nongkynrih et al., 2019).
Figure 3
Young shoots of species like Melocanna baccifera and Schizostachyum brachycladum are considered a delicacy and consumed as a seasonal vegetable. The shoots are sold in fresh or fermented form. These shoots are rich in nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants, serving as an important food source for local populations (; ; Santosh et al., 2021). The fruit and seeds of many species are edible and are used by indigenous communities as food. The fruits of M. baccifera are a valuable food additive when combined with other protein supplements ().
Extracts from the leaves and culms of various species have been traditionally used to treat fevers, wounds, inflammation, and digestive disorders, reflecting long-standing indigenous knowledge systems (Singh, 2019). This shows their important standing in ethnic medicines. Culm, leaf and fruit extracts of Cephalostachyum and Schizostachyum are reported to have antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal activities (Kuddus et al., 2013; Vairappan et al., 2015; Wang et al., 2022). Species like Melocanna baccifera are sources of culm siliceous contortion known as “Tabashir/Vamshalochana” used in Ayurvedic practices (Figure 4). Tabashir is a porous substance that has stimulant, coolant, aphrodisiac, expectorant and diuretic properties. It is mentioned to have technical properties as a catalyst (Liese, 1998).
Figure 4
Beyond their nutritional and medicinal uses, some species are used for ornamental purposes. Schizostachyum brachycladum, S. funghomii and Cephalostachyum pergracile have ornamental value and are also used for landscaping.
Species of the subtribe are widely utilized in traditional crafts and construction. Their culms are employed in roof thatching, fencing and the weaving of mats, baskets and household items. This wide range of functional utility shows their versatility and ecological sustainability. They are integrated into the lives of the indigenous communities in their socio-cultural activities and in making indigenous musical instruments. Cephalostachyum capitatum, along with cane, is used in making Sumok-thyaktuk, the traditional Lepcha Hat in Assam, India (Lepcha et al., 2012). Long internodes are used as fishing rods, as bow and arrow, surgical tools, agricultural implements and even as straw. Long and broad leaves of Ochlandra travancorica are used for thatching and splits are used for lathing () (Figure 5).
Figure 5
The species in this subtribe not only support rural livelihoods but also uphold the cultural heritage of forest-dependent communities. Local people in the foothills of Mount Pesagi consider Schizostachyum caudatum sacred, as they believe it gives protection against evil influences (Rahayu et al., 2025). Indigenous knowledge about bamboo utilization varies across regions depending on local wisdom and culture.
The straight, hollow, and resonant culms of Ochlandra sp., particularly Ochlandra scriptoria, are traditionally used in the crafting of flutes. This species is also used to prepare “oodapoovu”, a symbolic floral offering associated with the rituals of the Kottiyoor temple in the Kannur district of Kerala, India. This offering holds religious significance and is an important element in the traditional practices of the region. Using bamboo in such ceremonial contexts throws light on how it is embedded in the spiritual and cultural identity of local communities ().
Along with traditional uses, some species also have industrial applications. M. baccifera and O. travancorica are used in the commercial production of bamboo ply boards. Bamboo mat boards and Bamboo mat veneer composite are made from Ochlandra travancorica (; ). Studies are conducted to develop bamboo laminates from Schizostachyum lumampao (Natividad and Jimenez, 2015). Schizostachyum dullooa is used for making kite frames. Despite their wide range of applications, Melocanninae species remain underutilized in large-scale industrial sectors, highlighting the need for further research and value addition.
4.2 Ecological importance
The species of the subtribe, Ochlandra sp. and Melocanna baccifera, form dense, monotypic stands referred to as “bamboo brakes”. Bamboo brakes formed by Ochlandra are called “reed brakes” (Figure 6). These formations are recognized as a forest type found near streams in the openings of evergreen and deciduous forests at elevations ranging from 300 to 1,200 m. Ochlandra has fibrous roots that form a thick mat on the soil surface, which can inhibit the regeneration of other species (Sujatha et al., 2008). It also contributes significantly to soil stabilization, particularly in regions that receive high rainfall regions and are prone to erosion (). These species can expand uphill by producing new culms, offering natural reinforcement on fragile slopes with sandy to clay loam soils. Their extensive rhizome network reduces the risk of soil erosion and landslides, bringing down siltation and the risk of flash floods. O. travancorica is said to have the ability to revegetate lateritic soils ().
Figure 6
Bamboo culms harbor many endemic fauna of amphibians and frogs that depend on bamboo internodes for reproduction. The Ochlandrae clade of the bush frog lineages (Raorchestes) is particularly associated with bamboo. Animals like the Asian elephant feed on the young shoots and culms of species like Ochlandra travancorica. Macaca arctoides feed on the young shoots of Schizostachyum polymorphum in winters (Stotrabhashyam et al., 2023). The removal of culms for commercial purposes, particularly during critical breeding seasons, poses a direct threat to these species (Seshadri et al., 2015).
Studies on the ability of carbon sequestration by Melocanninae bamboos showed bamboo forests can sequester more carbon within a short period than other forests (Thokchom and Yadav, 2015). Melocanna baccifera was found to have high aboveground biomass and carbon density (58 Mg ha−1), comparable to thick-walled bamboos, highlighting its potential for carbon sequestration. The carbon storage potential of Schizostachyum lumampao was found to be comparable to that of plantation trees (). Schizostachyum dullooa and Pseudostachyum polymorphum were reported to have lower carbon densities (23 Mg ha−1 and 21 Mg ha−1, respectively) (Singnar et al., 2017). Fast growth, dense culms, and massive litter fall enable them to fix significant CO2 both above and below ground, while their durable products also lock in carbon (Singnar et al., 2023).
5 Material properties of the species
5.1 Anatomical properties
Since most species are monocarpic with infrequent flowering cycles, anatomical characters of the culm and leaf are useful and are usually relied upon to identify bamboo (Stapleton, 1994). Culm anatomy determines the physical and mechanical properties that reflect the usability of various species (Soderstrom and Ellis, 1988; Liese, 1998).
Culm anatomy mainly focuses on the vascular bundle system and parenchyma tissues. Tissue patterns from several internodes at different positions were studied to identify the species. Bamboo vascular bundles are divided into four types based on the fiber sheath: double broken-waist (type IV), broken-waist (type III), tight-waist (type II), and open (type I) (). In addition to these types, a semi-open vascular bundle (Type V) is also proposed (). While only type II vascular bundles are reported in Cephalostachyum, Scizostachyum and Melocanna were reported to have type III and type II vascular bundles. Tight waist-type vascular bundle is reported from Cephalostachyum mannii, C. pergracile and Schizostachyum brachycladum (Liese, 1998; Siam et al., 2019; Sharma et al., 2021). Culm anatomy and fiber characteristics of Ochlandra, Melocanna baccifera, S. brachycladum, S. dulloa and S. polymorphum were also studied (; Sekar and Balasubramanian, 1994; Nordahlia et al., 2011; Sharma et al., 2017, 2020). Type I and Type II vascular bundles were reported with a predominance of Type I in the inner region in most Ochlandra (Seethalakshmi and Kumar, 1995) (Figure 7). The structure of the epidermis is of particular interest in identifying bamboo. Epidermal characters of some species in India, including the ones in the Melocanninae subtribe, were explained by .
Figure 7
In leaf anatomy, the form and distributional patterns of papillae around the stomatal apparatus are identified as a criterion for the generic-level delimitation of the subtribe. The anatomy of leaves at the transverse section can be used for species-level taxonomic characterization (). Studies on leaf epidermal characters using Scanning Electron Microscope established the genus status of Cephalostachyum (including Leptocanna), Melocanna, Pseudostachyum, and Schizostachyum, considering the presence of microhairs, macrohairs and prickles. Schizostachyum genera showed a distinct triangular and overarching papillae distribution pattern around the stomatal aperture (Yang et al., 2008). Apart from the leaf and culm anatomy, the structure of caryopsis, embryo and seedlings are also used to describe some genera of this subtribe ().
5.2 Physical and mechanical properties
Mechanical and physical characteristics are crucial to optimize the use of various species and ensure their suitability. These properties are affected by the axial position and density of bamboo. Physical characteristics like internodal length and culm wall thickness influence the species preferred for crafting. Greater internodal length gives longer slivers, thus reducing the need for joining the slivers for various handicrafts. Physical properties like moisture content and density are affected by the location of the clump and height position. Basic density increases with the height of the culm. Values reported ranged from 0.4 to0.6 g/cm3 (; Sharma et al., 2017; ). The physical properties of thin- walled bamboos like Ochlandra travancorica, O. setigera and O. scriptoria were comparable to one another (Thulasidas et al., 2022).
Mechanical properties such as the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of Melocanna baccifera were studied and compared to Dendrocalamus longispathus and Bambusa tulda. Air-dried top portion of culm of M. baccifera was found to have an MOE of 27,557 N/mm2, while D. longispathus and B. tulda were reported to have values of 27,164 N/mm2 and 16,475 N/mm2, respectively. Similarly, air-dried MOR values were reported to be 67.37 N/mm2 for M. baccifera, 54.03 N/mm2 for D. longispathus and 65.80 N/mm2 for B. tulda in the top position of the culm (Sattar et al., 1994; Kamruzzaman et al., 2008; ). These properties varied significantly between nodes and internodes and between green and air-dried bamboo.
5.3 Chemical properties
The chemical properties of some species have been studied. Melocanna baccifera is recommended as a green source of microcrystalline cellulose (Pachuau et al., 2014; Hossain et al., 2022). The chemical composition of matured culms of O. travancorica was studied and showed a composition of 60-65% cellulose. The species reportedly has the maximum pulp yield among Indian bamboos. Fourier Transform Near Infrared Reflectance (FTNIR) was employed to predict the lignin, holocellulose and silica content in different populations of O. travancorica. The study reported that the holocellulose content ranged between 60-70%, lignin content between 20-28% and silica content varied between 3-6%. Age, site quality and soil character were identified as factors influencing the chemical composition of bamboo culms (Thulasidas et al., 2022). Similar values were reported in other genera with lignin content greater than 20%, reaching 24-27% in various Schizostachyum sp (Singh and Bhola, 1978; Manuhuwa and Loiwatu, 2007; Yang et al., 2007b).
6 Flowering and reproduction
The flowering of bamboo can be classified as annual, gregarious or sporadic (Figure 8). It is important to report bamboo flowering as it helps to understand the life cycle of bamboo and improves the ecological and phenological understanding of the species.
Figure 8
Recent flowering events have been reported in Cephalostachyum capitatum during 2022–2023 at Mawsynram, Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India (Naithani and Kharsati, 2023). Flowering of Cephalostachyum latifolium was reported in Sarpang district in Bhutan in 2021 (Tenzin et al., 2021). In Northeast India, Schizostachyum dullooa bloomed in the Barak Valley region of Assam during 2010-2013 () and Schizostachyum pergracile in Manipur, India, during 2013-2014 (Kangjam Tilotama Devi et al., 2014). Stapletonia arunachalensis flowered at Arunachal Pradesh, India, in 2015 (Singha et al., 2016).
Sporadic flowering has been reported in Ochlandra and Cephalostachyum. From the flowering of Ochlandra scriptoria between 2006 and 2008 in Kerala, India, the flowering cycle of the species was reported as 20–21 years (Koshy and Mathew, 2009). Ochlandra travancorica is reported to have different flowering cohorts in Kerala. Gamble reported the flowering cycle of the species to be seven years (Kumar, 1995). Melocanna baccifera, known for its 48-year flowering cycle, underwent gregarious flowering across northeastern India from 2004 to 2009 (Jeeva et al., 2009).
Infrequent and unpredictable flowering and seed production of these species necessitate vegetative propagation methods like rhizome and culm cuttings, micropropagation, and seed propagation. Among these propagation methods, seedling propagation is common among the species. It is practiced widely and reported in M. baccifera, O. scriptoria, O. travancorica and S. dullooa (Pathak et al., 2018). Culm cutting can be considered a general method of propagation. M. baccifera and O. travancorica exhibited a 20-50% success rate with culm cuttings (, ). Micropropagation methods are reported for Ochlandra wightii, Schizostachyum lima, S. lumampao and Melocanna baccifera (Zamora et al., 1988; ; Waikhom and Louis, 2014).
7 Conservation challenges and threats
Bamboo is recognized as a Non-Timber Forest Product and is not routinely included in forest inventories. The assessment of the bamboo resource is particularly affected by taxonomic uncertainty, a wide range of use at various levels, markets outside traditional economic structures and the lack of common terminology and units of measurement. Hence, the conservation status of species within this subtribe is not well-documented, with some classified under the Data Deficient (DD) category by the IUCN Red List.
New species described are endemic, and their population status is not estimated. However, available assessments show that several species are at risk. Among Cephalostachyum, Cephalostachyum longwanum is classified as Critically Endangered (CR), while C. mishimieanum and Melocanna clarkei fall under the Vulnerable (VU) category. In the genus Ochlandra, multiple species face significant threats. Critically Endangered (CR) species include Ochlandra beddomei, O. ebracteata, O. keralensis, and O. spirostylis and Vulnerable (VU) species include Ochlandra scriptoria, O. setigera, O. talbotii, O. travancorica and O. wightii. Other vulnerable species include Schizostachyum andamanicum, Stapletonia arunachalensis, S. sheshagiriana, and Teinostachyum wightii, all reported to be at risk due to habitat degradation and other environmental pressures (Maurya et al., 2025). Newly reported species like Schizostachyum sumpurkudusense and species rediscoveries like S. cornutum have established that many species are endemic and categorized as Near Threatened due to the lack of extensive surveys (Ritonga et al., 2025a, 2025).
The species that are industrially important are domesticated on plantations. The potential threat of the species is high if it has to depend on forest habitat for survival. It is reported that Schizostachyum curranii, Schizostachyum pleianthemum and Schizostachyum undulatum have only 500 km2 of forest remaining within their ranges. Similarly, many species of this subtribe are included in the list of less than 20,000 km2 of forest remaining within their ranges. These will increase distribution pressure in the species ().
Schizostachyum pergracile, Schizostachyum zollingeri, Melocanna baccifera and Ochlandra travancorica are recognized as global high-priority bamboo species (Category I). Schizostachyum dullooa is recognized as a species with enormous plantation potential and restricted distribution (Category II). In addition to the global priority species, regional priority species have been identified, in which Ochlandra scriptoria, O. setigera, and Schizostachyum zollingeri are recognized as priority species in South and Southeast Asia, while Schizostachyum funghomii is a priority species from China (Maviton and Sankar, 2022).
Existing natural habitats of the species should be protected, as many species are endemic and vulnerable to habitat loss. In addition to in situ conservation, promotion of plantation-based systems and the inclusion of local communities in conservation efforts will reduce pressure on existing stands. Sustainable harvest practices, such as selective harvesting, should be implemented to reduce depletion of the existing population. Standardized propagation protocols should be developed across species. It is also important to carry out germination studies for each species. Due to their soil binding capacity, species like Ochlandra travancorica can be used to restore degraded landscapes and therefore, will be suitable for activities like riverbank stabilization. Additionally, prioritization of key species and strengthening of policy frameworks, combined with targeted research on propagation and utilization, ensures the long-term sustainability of this subtribe.
8 Conclusion
Melocanninae, the thin-walled bamboo subtribe, mainly distributed in the Asian subcontinent, has distinct properties and uses. Their properties are different from other bamboos due to their thin-walled culms, which often exhibit a straggling nature. These characteristics make them well-suited for weaving, mat production, and other cottage-based industries where flexibility is important. The species within the subtribe exhibit genetic variability likely associated with the polyploid nature of the subtribe. This results in morphological diversity, leading to taxonomic ambiguities. These species play a critical role in supporting rural and indigenous livelihoods, where women are the key stakeholders. Despite their importance, only a limited number of species have been explored for industrial applications, while many remain underutilized, leading to overexploitation of certain species such as Ochlandra travancorica and Melocanna baccifera. For many species, traditional knowledge and the modern harvesting rules are often ignored, posing a significant threat to their sustainability.
Future research should prioritize anatomical, chemical, mechanical, and physical characterization across species to understand variation in material properties. Integrative taxonomic approaches combining morphological and molecular data will be essential in resolving existing ambiguities in the identification of species. Conservation efforts should prioritize in situ and ex situ approaches, including germplasm conservation and the development of efficient propagation techniques like micropropagation to support large-scale cultivation. Strengthening value chains and promoting sustainable utilization practices will be critical to enhancing livelihood opportunities, particularly for local and indigenous communities. A multidisciplinary approach integrating material science, taxonomy, ecology, and socio-economic perspectives will be a key to understanding the potential of Melocanninae while ensuring its long-term conservation and sustainable utilization.
Statements
Author contributions
NA: Conceptualization, Data curation, Funding acquisition, Investigation, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing. VS: Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation, Writing – review & editing. AR: Conceptualization, Funding acquisition, Project administration, Supervision, Validation, Writing – review & editing. SV: Conceptualization, Resources, Supervision, Validation, Writing – review & editing.
Funding
The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. Kerala State Council for Science Technology and Environment supported this work. First author has received research support from KSCSTE – Research fellowship.
Acknowledgments
The authors are thankful to the Director and officials of the KSCSTE – Kerala Forest Research Institute for facilitating this study. The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by the KSCSTE Plan Grants for this study. The first author also thanks the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment for the fellowship support.
Conflict of interest
The author(s) declared that this work was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Summary
Keywords
bambusoideae, paleotropical woody bamboos, Ochlandra, Cephalostachyum, Schizostachyum, physical and mechanical properties
Citation
Anjana N, Sreekumar VB, Raghu AV and Viswanath S (2026) Melocanninae - thin-walled bamboos as green assets: diversity, utilization, and conservation for sustainable ecosystems. Front. Ecol. Evol. 14:1836054. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2026.1836054
Received
22 March 2026
Revised
29 May 2026
Accepted
31 May 2026
Published
19 June 2026
Volume
14 - 2026
Edited by
Shakti Singh Chauhan, Institute of Wood Science and Technology (ICFRE), India
Reviewed by
Sandeep Kumar, Uttarakhand University of Horticulture and Forestry, India
Berenice Kussumoto Alcantara Silva, Federal University of Acre, Brazil
Updates
Copyright
© 2026 Anjana, Sreekumar, Raghu and Viswanath.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: N. Anjana, anjana.nkp@gmail.com; anjana@kfri.res.in
†Present address: Syam Viswanath, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, India
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