Taxonomy of Bamboos

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Bamboos have for long, eluded classification mainly because of their unique flowering pattern. Attempts by early researchers such as Munro, Gamble, Bentham and other who practiced the orthodox system of classification based on flower and fruit characteristics, resulted in some species of bamboos with wide geographical distribution being mistaken for different species, when they were merely polyploids of the same species, because of the limited number of samples available to them for their study. This has resulted in difficulties in identification, and confusion in nomenclature. From this it is evident that a solution to bamboo classification, and establishment of their correct identity can be achieved only by a multidisciplinary approach.