Bamboo belongs to the grass family, Gramineae, tribe Bambuseae. It is distinguished by the special structure of its stem, or 'culm', the fact that it reaches full height in a short period, its rapid rate of growth, and its singular flowering habit. Bamboo does not flower annually, but once every 7 to 120 years, depending on the species. At that time, that species will flower (and generally produce seed, depending on the genus) all over the world - with variances due to environmental and horticultural influences. The parent plant may then die completely.