The vascular bundle is an important structural unit that determines the growth and properties of bamboo. A high-resolution X-ray microtomography (μCT) was used to observe and reconstruct a three-dimensional (3D) morphometry model of the vascular bundle of the Qiongzhuea tumidinoda node due to its advantages of quick, nondestructive, and accurate testing of plant internal structure. The results showed that the morphology of vascular bundles varied significantly in the axial direction. In the cross-section, the number of axial vascular bundles reached a maximum at the lower end of the sheath scar, and the minimum of it was at the middle of the diaphragm. The frequency of axial vascular bundles decreased from the lower end of the node to the nodal ridge, and subsequently increased until the upper end of the bamboo node. The proportion of parenchyma, fibers, and conducting tissue was 65.7%, 30.5%, and 3.8%, respectively. The conducting tissues were intertwined to form a complex 3D network structure, with a connectivity of 94.77%. The conducting tissue with the largest volume accounted for 60.26% of the total volume of the conducting tissue. The 3D-distribution pattern of the conducting tissue of the node and that of the fibers were similar, but their thickness changed in the opposite pattern. This study revealed the 3D morphometry of the conducting tissue and fibers of the bamboo node, the reconstruction of the skeleton made the morphology more intuitive. Quantitative indicators such as the 3D volume, proportion, and connectivity of each type of tissue was obtained, the bamboo node was enlarged mainly caused by the particularly developed fibers. This work laid the foundation for a better understanding of the mechanical properties and water transportation of bamboo and revealed the mystery of bamboo node shedding of Q. tumidinoda.

Rattan cane is an important forest product only second to timber and bamboo, with higher economic value and ecological benefits. Physical and mechanical properties are more important quality performance indexes, which are highly correlated with the processing and utilization of rattan cane. The present paper describes a study of main physical and mechanical properties in different heights of rattan cane for four rattan species, and also makes a comparison of property for Calamus simplicifolius grown in different sites. The relationship between species, cane position, density and mechanical properties of the rattan in China is also discussed. The results show that the physical and mechanical properties differ among four rattan species, and they follow irregular variation pattern with height. The physical–mechanical properties have no significant difference among species except modulus of elasticity, and the same as the different geographical areas. The basic density and mechanical properties gave a more moderate correlation with quadric equation. This result will provide basic data support for property modification and commercial utilization of rattan resources.

The present study utilized a FeCl₂-based environmentally sustainable activation technique to produce activated carbon from bamboo. The research aimed to evaluate the influence of activation temperature on the physical and chemical characteristics of the activated carbon and its ability to adsorb Cr(VI). The results of the experiment indicated that the yield of activated carbon prepared by this method was in the range of 25.5–37.5%, which was comparatively higher than the yield obtained through traditional KOH and steam activation techniques. Moreover, this method resulted in a well-developed pore structure with pore sizes primarily ranging from 0.5 nm to 1.0 nm. A gradual increase in the specific surface area and pore volume was observed with an increase in the activation temperature. The maximum values of 1290.9 m²/g and 0.67 m³/g for specific surface area and pore volume, respectively, were achieved at an activation temperature of 900 °C. The adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) was subject to variation in correspondence with alterations in the pore structure of activated carbon. The maximum adsorption capacity recorded was 13.65 mg/g. This suggested that the adsorption capability was predominantly influenced by the pore configuration. The study of kinetics and isothermal adsorption indicates that the quasi-second-order kinetic model was a more effective approach for characterizing the adsorption process of Cr(VI) on activated carbon. Additionally, the Freundlich model demonstrated superior fitting performance compared to the Langmuir model.

The sol–gel method was used to prepare rattan-based silicon carbide (R–SiC) composite ceramics under different pyrolysis parameters through adjustment of the temperature and retention time of the one-step pyrolysis process. The crystalline phases, microscopic morphology, element distribution and specific surface area of the silicon carbide (SiC) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF), field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and N₂ physisorption. The results showed that the R–SiC prepared at different pyrolysis parameters was able to retain the porous structure of pristine rattan stem. The R–SiC prepared at 1500 ℃ for 120 min possessed the lowest density (0.25 g/cm³), the largest specific surface area (43.38 m²/g) and the highest SiC yield (44.24%). The SiC whisker was the major SiC morphology on the cross section of the R–SiC. Furthermore, the pyrolysis parameters were optimized with the SiC preparation process reaction mechanism, and material transformation methods were also discussed. This one-step pyrolysis process simplified the preparation of biogenic SiC ceramics and thus provided a potential route for the value-added utilization of rattan.

Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), an apt example of an anisotropic, functionally graded composite material, is the most important commercial bamboo species of China. This species has excellent mechanical properties due to its unique vascular bundle structure. This article examines the variation in mechanical properties of single vascular bundles with respect to their location within a bamboo culm. The mechanical exfoliation method was used to prepare the single vascular bundle. This study found that moso bamboo has superior stiffness and strength. Additionally, the variation in properties was large in the radial direction but minimal in longitudinal direction. The large variation in mechanical properties of vascular bundles can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of the fibrous sheath and parenchyma rather than to changes in fibrous sheath properties. This study provides a basis for the structure application for moso bamboo.

Plants of the genus Narcissus are well-known for their characteristic corona morphology, which structural origins have been a bone of contention among scholars. With “Jinzhanyintai” (JZ) and “Yulinglong” (YLL)—two major close-originated cultivars of Chinese narcissus (Narcissus tazetta L. var. chinensis Roem)—as materials, anatomic observation was made on floral organs during corona morphogenesis by dissection with hands under a stereomicroscope, paraffin section, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution X-ray tomography. It was uncovered that corona primordia of both cultivars appeared following the end of the differentiation of other floral organs, with differentiation sites located at the inner wall of the juncture of the base of tepals and the upper margin of the hypanthium. Affected by staminal filaments, the corona primordia of JZ experienced a three-stage differentiation process, namely blockage from the second whorl of stamens, blockage from the first whorl of stamens, and healing of corona primordia. However, the expanded spatial structure of the first whorl of petal-like stamens blocked the path of differentiation of YLL corona primordia, giving rise to slow differentiation of the corona primordia at the base of the first whorl of petal-like stamens and malformed differentiation of the corona primordia in the interval between the two whorls of petal-like stamens. Thus, a fragmented structure consisting of typical and fragmented coronas was formed. Furthermore, petal-like stamens of YLL in the lower part had a corona-like morphology. The spatio-temporal specificity of corona differentiation convincingly demonstrates that the corona is a structure independent of and different from the typical four whorls of floral organs, but also highly correlated with stamen.