Guadua angustifolia Kunth is the largest and most economically important bamboo in the Western Hemisphere. It is the primary source of building material for urban and rural dwellings in many areas within its geographical range, especially in Colombia and Ecuador. Guadua aculeata Rupr. ex Fourn. from Central America and Bambusa (Guadua) chacoensis N. Rojas from Argentina and Paraguay are two closely related taxa that were often confused with or identified as G. angustifolia. These three taxa comprise the Guadua angustifolia complex