Phyllostachys bambusoides (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: N/A
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 16m
Eventual Spread: 5m
Hardiness: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
Family: Poaceae
Phyllostachys bambusoides is a running, upright evergreen bamboo. Its dark green glossy leaves are linear with entire margins up t0 15cm long and 25mm broad and appear in clumps of up to 6. Its green canes may achieve a diameter of up to 15cm. The plant flowers approximately only every 130 years. This plant spreads by underground rhizomes and may be invasive.
Phyllostachys bambusoides Leaf (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)
Phyllostachys bambusoides, commonly known as Madake, Giant Timber Bamboo or Japanese Timber Bamboo, is native to China and possible Japan. It is the most commonly grown timber bamboo in Japan.
The etymological root of the binomial name Phyllostachys is derived from the Greek phyllon meaning ‘leaf’ and stachys meaning ‘spike’. Bambusoides is derived from the Latin meaning ‘resembling Bambusa’. Bambusa was a name for bamboo that was the result of an erroneous pronunciation of the Indian word Mambu.
The landscape architect may find Phyllostachys bambusoides useful as a large architectural bamboo with thick green stems. In spring its shoot may grow up to 1m per day.
Ecologically, Phyllostachys bambusoides is of little wildlife value in the UK.
Phyllostachys bambusoides Stem (04/04/2015, Kyoto Botanic Gardens, Kyoto, Japan)
Phyllostachys bambusoides prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Phyllostachys bambusoides requires root barrier installed at the time of planting if the unrestricted spread of this plant is not desired. Spent stems may be removed to keep a tidy apearance.