竹 resembles two axes (斤) together. . . .but you can tell them apart because bamboo is pronounced ta-KE. And the bamboo kanji is the same as the katakana KE : ヶ. |
たけ |
bamboo
★★★☆☆ |
竹の子 |
bamboo shoot
★☆☆☆☆
a bamboo shoot, also a famous harajuku fashion shop |