Melocalamus compactiflorus Benth.

Culms to 40 m, 1.5–5 cm in diam.; internodes initially green, becoming gray-green, 25–35 cm, solid or nearly so; wall thick; nodes slightly thickened, each with a white ring below. Branches several, main mid-culm ones to 10 m. Culm sheaths pale brown, ca. 1/2 as long as internodes, leathery, appressed pubescent, margins ciliate, apex truncate; auricles conspicuous; ligule 1–5 mm, ciliate or fimbriate; blade recurved, base ca. 3/4 as wide as sheath apex. Leaf sheaths white pubescent, margins ciliate; ligule very short, pubescent; auricles and oral setae conspicuous; blade lanceolate, 7.5–15 × 0.7–1.2 cm. Pseudospikelets 1.2–1.4 mm; prophylls to 0.8 mm; gemmiferous bracts 2 or 3; fertile florets 1–3. Glumes 2 or 3; fertile lemma 1–1.3 mm; palea slightly longer than lemma, narrow, bifid for 1/3 length. Lodicules absent to 3. Anthers pale yellow, apex purple, apiculate. Ovary ovoid to turbinate; style 1, ca. 1.2 mm; stigmas 1–3. Caryopsis 2–4 cm. 2n = 76*.

It is a tropical plant. It grows in open clearings in the forest up to 1,700 m above sea level. It grows in the wet tropics. It is best in areas with an average temperature between 20-29°C and an average rainfall of 1,000-2,000 mm per year. It is best in a fertile soil and a sunny location. It is best in a soil with pH 5.5-6.5. In Yunnan.

The shoots are used as a vegetable. They are also fermented as chutney. The seeds are eaten.

Can be grown by seedlings.