A new analysis by New York University scientists offers a clearer picture of these organisms, labeling them "grassy trees," which combine the canopy structure of trees with the resilience of grasses—and can more easily adapt to and recover from extreme weather conditions than can trees.

"Bamboo, palms, and bananas, which don't fit neatly as 'trees' or 'grasses,' are actually a powerful group of plants we call 'grassy trees' that combine the best of both worlds," explains Aiyu Zheng, a researcher at New York University's Department of Environmental Studies and the lead author of the analysis, which appears in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution. "Their hybrid nature—combining the tall structures of trees with the rapid growth of grasses—makes grassy trees powerful allies in responding to climate change.

"They bounce back quickly after fires, storms, or harvesting—and they help restore landscapes, store carbon, support biodiversity, and sustain communities. Their benefits stretch from food and jobs to renewable materials and green energy."

"Our study provides the first global overview of how much carbon grassy trees capture and store, showing that they are abundant, practical, and deeply embedded in tropical cultures— and thus deserve to be at the same table as other better-known nature-based solutions," adds Mingzhen Lu, an assistant professor in NYU's Department of Environmental Studies, the paper's senior author.