Geographical distribution
Bamboo in all its varieties constitutes one of the most extensive and important botanical families for man, with thousands of uses and applications described in different cultures. They are the only group of grasses adapted to create forests and demonstrate enormous adaptability to different soils and environments.
They are naturally present in a wide geographical distribution covering mainly three major regions; much of the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa and a large area of Asia.
Fossils of bamboo leaves and pollen can be found in Europe, but no species endemic to this continent remain today.