Bamboo is supposed to be one of the best functionally gradient composite materials available. In a piece of bamboo, not only the number of fibres ('vascular bundles') but also the fibre quality varies from outer to inner-most periphery. It has been observed that near the outer periphery, within 1 mm(2) area, the number of fibres is approximately 8 whereas the same at the inner-most periphery is approximately 2. Again the cross-sectional shape of fibre at outer periphery is almost circular (diameter 0.14 mm) and compacted but at the inner-most periphery, a fibre (diameter of major axis 0.93 x diameter of minor axis 0.78 mm) has been sprayed, and contain matrix in it. This structural behaviour causes the variation of tensile strength, e.g., the strength of a fibre at the outer periphery is about 160 kg/mm(2) and the same at the inner-most periphery is only 45 kg/mm(2) supercript stop. It has also been observed that the matrix of bamboo can preferentially be removed from the fibre by alkali treatment. 10% NaOH can remove adhered matrix with little effect on fibres while 20% or stronger alkali reduces the strength of fibre. (c) 2005 Springer Science + Business Media, Inc.