Today is World Bamboo Day. Giant panda bears and their cousin the red panda are not the only admirers of this wonderful Asian plant. People love bamboo, too. Only, we humans use it for much more than for consumption. On this September 18 holiday, we celebrate bamboo and its many uses. If you do not know too much about bamboo, you will be amazed at how many different ways we use it. Why, after reading this article, you just might try bamboo shoots at your next meal!  And by reading our Bamboo Trivia, you are well on the way to becoming a subject matter expert.

When we think of bamboo, we usually think of Asia, Japan, and the Far East where it is plentiful. But there are native varieties on every continent except Europe and Antarctica. While it is not native to Europe, it is now grown indoors and outdoors in most if not all countries in Europe.  That just leaves Antarctica. And who knows? Perhaps it is grown in a research station on that continent, too. The plant requires little sunlight. So, growing it indoors in Antarctica is not out of the question.