Somatic embryogenesis leading to plant regeneration has been achieved in the bamboo, Dendrocalamus strictus, by culturing seeds (caryopses) on B5 basal medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. Callus cultures obtained from the embryonal end of the seeds differentiated chlorophyllous embryoids. On transfer to a germination medium (B5 liquid, sucrose, indolebutyric acid, and ∝ -naphthaleneacetic acid) 40% of the embryoids developed into plantlets. Further development of the plantlets occured on B5 liquid medium (half strength) + sucrose (1%) + IBA (5 × 10(-7)M) + NAA (10(-7)M).