Taxonomy, Habitat and Distribution, Morphoanatomical and Physiochemical Properties of Bayog (BambusaMerrilliana (Elmer) Rojo&Roxas Comb. Nov.)

Bamboo is one of the most important nature’s substitutes for the endangered rainforest hardwoods. Pangasinan remains to be the biggest producer of bamboo in the Philippines which is used in building nipa huts, making baskets, bigao, walkers, bookshelves, bangkito and other items. Bayog species of bamboo is the most preferred in the construction of nipa huts because of its strength and thick culms. Although, the strength of the stem of the various bamboos was often studied because of their economic use, there are few studies on their morphoanatomical characteristics and physiochemical properties on these plants. The appearances at macro and microlevels direct vital processes in the life cycle of a plant like growth, development, metabolism, photosynthesis, nutrition, and resistance in order to control the vitality or yield of the crop species and to maximize economic benefits. Thus, it is necessary to reveal these properties. The research aims to know the taxonomy, origin and distribution, and fundamental morphology and anatomy of the B. merrlliana’s leaves, adult and young (labong) culms, and roots; inorganic and organic chemicals present (however limited to detection) and physiological properties such as water movement, photosynthate translocation, and water potential of Bayog.

Keywords: bayog, taxonomy, morphoanatomical properties, physiochemical properties, habitat