Whangee

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Whangee refers to any of over forty Asian grasses of the genus Phyllostachys, once mistakenly classified as bamboos. They are a hardy evergreen plant from Japan, China and the Himalayas whose woody stems are sometimes used to make canes and umbrella handles. The word derives from the Chinese (Mandarin) huáng lí.

John Steed, the dapper secret agent from television's The Avengers, was known for carrying an umbrella with a whangee handle. The firm of Dunhill created custom smoking pipes and cigarette holders out of whangee, lacquering the surface of the plant stems and adding a black plastic or Bakelite mouthpiece. Terry-Thomas , the well known British comedic actor, habitually used an 8" long custom black lacquered whangee cigarette holder. It became his trademark and is seen in most of his publicity photographs. His collection included a valuable holder that had a spiral of diamonds set in gold over the black lacquered whangee. It was stolen out of his dressing room, and was recovered in a damaged state.

Can also refer to a cane made from whangee.