A Jacksonville State University biology professor has identified a previously undocumented species of bamboo native to Alabama.

Dr. Jimmy Triplett’s research dealing with Tallapoosa Cane, or Arundinaria alabamensis, is published in the international science journal, “Phytotaxa.”

Tallapoosa Cane, which is unique to the state, is recognized as Alabama’s 31st endemic vascular plant, and the fourth species of native bamboo in the U.S.

The discovery ranks Alabama first in native bamboo species.

Triplett is the curator of the JSU Herbarium, a regional natural history collection of more than 70,000 plant specimens. He was also involved in the discovery of Hill Cane, which is also found in Alabama.

He was also involved in the discovery of several other species of plants in Japan, China, Sri Lanka and Ecuador.

“Our native bamboos are closely related to bamboos in East Asia and highlight an interesting distribution shared with plants like magnolias, dogwoods and ginsengs, which is explained by prehistoric land bridges between continents,” Triplett said.

Two other species, River Cane and Switch Cane, were traditionally used by Native Americans for tools and crafts.