BackgroundCalmodulin-binding transcription factor (CAMTA) is a major transcription factor regulated by calmodulin (CaM) that plays an essential role in plant growth, development and response to biotic and abiotic stresses. TheCAMTAgene family has been identified inArabidopsis thaliana, rice (Oryza sativa) and other model plants, and its gene function in moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) has not been identified.ResultsIn this study, a total of 11CAMTAgenes were identified inP. edulisgenome. Conserved domain and multiplex sequence alignment analysis showed that the structure between these genes was highly similar, with all members having CG-1 domains and some members having TIG and IQ domains. Phylogenetic relationship analysis showed that theCAMTAgenes were divided into five subfamilies, and gene fragment replication promoted the evolution of this gene family. Promoter analysis revealed a large number of drought stress-related cis-acting elements inPeCAMTAs, and similarly high expression of theCAMTAgene family was found in drought stress response experiments, indicating the involvement of this gene family in drought stress. Gene expression pattern according to transcriptome data revealed participation of thePeCAMTAgenes in tissue development.ConclusionsOur results present new findings for theP. edulis CAMTAgene family and provide partial experimental evidence for further validation of the function ofPeCAMTAs.