In contrast to most bamboos, it grows as a dense, climbing or decumbent shrub.

Chusquea quila may form pure stands called quilantales occupying all the understory of a forest.

[1] The seeding that follow the flowering has been associated to mice vermin.

[2] Chusquea quila species have been historically harvested for seed by indigenous peoples.

[1] Mapuche and Pehuenche people are reported to have made flour of the seeds.