Otatea
Encyclopedia
Otatea is a genus
of clumping bamboo
s found from Central Mexico
to Central America
. The name derives from the nahuatl
otatl, meaning "bamboo". The genus comprises 3 species
, of which the best-known is of the Mexican weeping bamboo
.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of clumping bamboo
Bamboo
Bamboo is a group of perennial evergreens in the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae, tribe Bambuseae. Giant bamboos are the largest members of the grass family....
s found from Central Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
. The name derives from the nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
otatl, meaning "bamboo". The genus comprises 3 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
, of which the best-known is of the Mexican weeping bamboo
Mexican weeping bamboo
The Mexican weeping bamboo, Otatea acuminata aztecorum, is a clumping bamboo found in Mexico and Central America. It produces thick stands of long narrow leaves. The weight of the leaves cause the long thin clums to bend, or weep.-Cultivation:...
.