Avery Island in Iberia Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)

Bamboo

June 6, 2018

1. Bamboo Marker

Inscription. Jungle Gardens includes one of the oldest timber bamboo groves in America. In 1909, Edward Avery Mcllhenny wrote to the USDA's Bureau of Plant Industry to inquire about growing Bamboo on Avery Island. At the time Mcllhenny believed bamboo could serve as a valuable commodity, both as food and building material. As he wrote in a promotional letter, "It is estimated by explorers that more than one hundred fifty million people of the countries in Asia, bordering the Pacific Ocean, live in houses built entirely of Bamboo."

Through his relationship with the USDA, Mcllhenny planted over sixty-four varieties of bamboo in and around Jungle Gardens. His ability to nurture and observe the plants made him the most successful experimental bamboo grower in the country, and his views about the usefulness of bamboo have been revived by modern permaculturalists around the globe. The bamboos of Jungle Gardens and Avery Island are regarded by bamboo enthusiasts as one of the most extensive collections in the world. (Marker Number 12.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry

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• Parks & Recreational Areas.

Location. 29° 54.457′ N, 91° 54.685′ W. Marker is on Avery Island, Louisiana, in Iberia Parish. It can be reached from Jungle Garden Road. LOcated on a walking path to the Bird City location. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Avery Island LA 70513, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Louisiana’s Acadiana — Cajun Country

and specifically in Bayou Country. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

Acadia,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: McIlhenny (within shouting distance of this marker); Bird City (within shouting distance of this marker); Sunken Gardens (about

June 6, 2018

2. Bamboo Marker

600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Buddha (approx. 0.3 miles away); Boat House (approx. 0.3 miles away); This Buddah (approx. 0.3 miles away); This Buddha (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Survey Tree (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Avery Island.

More about this marker. Stop #12 on the Jungle Garden self driving tour. Only accessible by foot.

June 6, 2018

3. Bamboo

June 6, 2018

4. Bamboo

Some big bamboo

Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 10, 2018, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 733 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 10, 2018.