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Bamboo plants. Potted bamboo plants loaded on the back of a truck. Bamboo plants are members of the grass family Gramineae. The woody stems, known as canes or culms, can reach great heights. These canes are more than 10 metres long. The canes are widely used in construction, as the stems form very tough structures. The bamboo plant is also used in paper-making and weaving. Bamboo is found in tropical and subtropical areas, most commonly in Asia, though it can be grown outside this area. Photographed in Paris, France. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/PASCAL GOETGHELUCK) === ===