Bamboo species grow all over the world, and it is generally accepted that it is a member of the Grass family. There are many subspecies of bamboo, many of which require particular climate conditions to grow and thrive. Apart from fishing rods, bamboo has found many uses, including ornamental, furniture material, and pulp and paper. It has been used to make a type of plywood. Floors maybe made from bamboo. Even musical instruments are manufactured from this species.

Although other sub-species have been tried, Tonkin Cane (Arundinaria amabilis) is the favored bamboo type used in the making of split cane fishing rods. Until the early 1900's Calcutta cane, from India was the choice of craftsmen for the finest rods.

Tonkin, or "The lovely bamboo"as the latin name is loosely translated, grows only in the Guangdong Province of China, and for many years there was a shortage of the material in the Western world due to trade embargoes. Only recently has the supply of Tonkin become more available, and even so, quality cane is still not dependable, with often half of a shipment junked for not meeting standards.