Leptomorph rhizomes, associated with spring growth, spread a little more. In other words they are responsible for the lateral growth of a given stand, or clump, of a bamboo species. Knowledge of rhizomes is also necessary for species identification. The keys in McClure's book, to North American species, use rhizome types as the first step toward identifying bamboo species. In addition to asexual reproduction through rhizomes, bamboos also flower and produce seed, sexually.
Most bamboos produce a panicle inflorescence with a varying number of spikelets.
Each spikelet contains one or several florets. Unlike other members of the grass family, bamboo florets contain six stamens. Aside from structure, the bamboos are most unique because of when they flower. The whole stand then dies, leaving behind a bed of seeds a foot deep. It is believed that the bamboo developed this method of reproduction to protect itself from its primary natural predator, the panda.