This is totally OT, but it was utterly fascinating to me to learn that there are native bamboo varieties in North America... let alone the Appalachian Mountains. Where's the American Panda Bear then?!?! Ya gotta love 'dem bears. :-) http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/… This article talks about the "discovery" of a new bamboo species. Dennis in Cincy (where wild pandas haven't been spotted in years)