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BACKGROUND The present study combines morphological and anatomical studies, cell wall chemical composition analysis, as well as assessment of the nutritional value of Guadua chacoensis foliage leaves. RESULTS Foliage leaves of G. chacoensis are a promising source of forage because: (a) as a native woody bamboo, it is adapted to and helps maintain environmental conditions in America; (b) leaf anatomical studies exhibit discontinuous sclerenchyma, scarcely developed, while pilose indumentum, silica cells, prickles and hooks are also scarce; (c) it has a high protein content, similar to that of Medicago sativa, while other nutritional parameters are similar to those of common forages; and (d) glucuronoarabinoxylan, the major extracted polysaccharide, has one-third of the 4-linked β- d-xylopyranosyl units of the backbone substituted mainly with α- l-arabinofuranose as single stubs or non-reducing end of short chains, but also 5-linked α- l-arabinofuranose units, terminal β- d-xylopyranose and d-galactopyranose units, as well as α- d-glucuronic acid residues and small amounts of its 4- O-methylated derivative. CONCLUSION These results constitute the first report on this species, and as culms are utilized in constructions and crafts, the remaining leaves, when used as forage, constitute a byproduct that allows an additional income opportunity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]