The Difference Between Bambusa textilis and Gracilis (Slender Weaver's Bamboo)

 Bambusa textilis and Gracilis are both members of the Poaceae family, commonly known as grasses, but they’re actually both types of bamboo. This family contains some 8,500 species of grasses, but only two species that are ever used in gardens: Bambusa textilis and Gracilis (Slender Weaver’s Bamboo). 

Before choosing and planting your own bamboo plants in your yard, you need to know the difference between Gracilis and Bambusa textilis. Here, we’ll compare these two slender-stemmed bamboo species, so you can be sure you’re giving your garden the best kind of bamboo plant possible! But first, it’s important to understand the characteristics that make each type of bamboo stand out from the other.

The two are close relatives and can be difficult to tell apart from one another unless you’re an expert on the subject.

Is there any difference?

Bamboos are not all the same. Some bamboo species grow up to 120 cm in a day while others, like Slender Weaver's Bamboo, grow at a slower pace. If you want to plant bamboo for decoration or privacy, the Slender Weavers is a great choice because it grows lower to the ground and is more densely packed together than other varieties of bamboo. It also has a beautiful color that ranges from green to silver-gray as it matures. One downside to this type of bamboo is that it only reaches heights of 20 feet. 

It can be difficult to distinguish between Slender Weaver's Bamboo and another variety called Bambusa textilis, which can reach heights of 60 feet. One way to tell them apart is by looking at their shoots: Bambusa Textilis' shoots have large diameters whereas Slender Weaver's Bamboo shoots have small diameters.

Why do they look different?

Bambusa textilis is a type of clumping bamboo that grows to 15' tall with 1-inch diameter canes. It produces green culms, or stems, that are slender with a blackish coloration. The leaves are long, narrow, and green in color. In contrast, Gracilis (Slender Weaver's Bamboo) is a type of clumping bamboo that is usually 10-15' tall with 1/2 diameter canes. It produces brown culms, or stems, which are thin with a yellowish coloration. The leaves are short, wide, and light green in color. There is some debate about the difference between these two types of bamboo because they share many characteristics; however there seem to be some distinct differences based on their physical characteristics such as size and color of the cane.

How are they different on an individual level?

The two species of bamboo, Bambusa textilis and Gracilis (slender weaver's bamboo), are both used for a wide variety of purposes. They are different in many ways, but they do have some similarities. They both grow to heights of 20-30 meters, which is taller than the majority of other bamboo species. The difference between the two can be found in their leaves: from afar it may be difficult to notice because they are similar shapes and sizes, but up close there are many differences between them. 

For example, the leaf has more veins on the surface when compared to its counterpart. It also has prominent side veins running through the back that extend towards the edge of the leaf, whereas Gracilis doesn't have any. It also features brown lines along each vein that meet at each tip of the blade; these lines are faint on Gracilis blades. One way you can tell if you're looking at an entire plant is by looking for these brown lines along each vein that meet at each tip of the blade; these lines are faint on Gracilis blades.

Can I plant them together?

Bambusa textilis and Gracilis are two different types of bamboo that can be planted together. They require the same amount of sun, water, and care. The only difference is their height, but the taller one will eventually overtake the shorter one. What type of conditions do they like?: These types of bamboo prefer a temperate climate with lots of sun, consistent watering and fertilizing during the first few years to encourage growth. What about winter? What is a good time for fertilizing? In winter, it does not matter if you fertilize or not because no growth occurs then. You should fertilize in late spring, before new shoots start emerging from the ground. Be careful when fertilizing, though; too much nitrogen can kill your plants! If you are unsure how much to use, research how much fertilizer other people use in similar climates. 

Bambusa textilis prefers low levels of nitrogen so don't over-fertilize them! For these reasons, these bamboos make excellent choices for home gardens and commercial landscaping projects alike.