Color code:  |
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| Genus species |
Common Name |
Max Ht
Ft |
Max Dia
In |
Min Temp
F |
Sun
5=full
sun |
Description |
Synonym |
Sources |
More
Info |
|---|
| Clumper/Runner |
| Arundinaria | Genus of small to medium size hardy running bamboos, with numerous branches at each node and persistent culm sheaths. New shoots in spring. Native to the US only. All other species should be moved to different genera. |
Arundinaria
gigantea |
RIVER CANE |
20.00 |
1.00 |
-10 |
5 |
Native to the U.S. Once grew from Georgia and Texas to Maryland and Ohio. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Arundinaria
tecta |
SWITCH CANE |
6.00 |
0.50 |
-10 |
5 |
Similar to A. gigantea but generally smaller. It differs in persistent culm sheaths, air channels in its rhizomes, and can grow in wet ground. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Bashania | Genus of medium size Chinese running bamboos. |
Bashania
fargesii |
|
20.00 |
2.00 |
5 |
4 |
Native to the mountains of China. Leaves up to a foot long. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Chimonobambusa | Medium size running bamboos, often with raised, sometimes thorny nodes, or quadrangular culms, initiating new shoots in the fall or winter, or early spring hence "Winter bamboos". |
Chimonobambusa
tumidissinoda |
Walking stick |
20.00 |
1.30 |
10 |
4 |
A rare Chinese bamboo noted for its inflated culm nodes. Used for walking sticks in Sichuan, and highly prized for dried shoots. |
Qiongzhuea tumidissinoda |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Hibanobambusa | A running genus from Japan once thought to be a natural bigeneric hybrid between Sasa veitchii and Phyllostachys nigra 'Henon', but with little evidence to support that idea. |
Hibanobambusa
tranquillans |
|
16.00 |
1.30 |
3 |
4 |
The single species of the genus has the 2 branches per node of a Phyllostachys and the large leaves of a Sasa, up to 10 inches long by 1 1/4 inches wide. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Hibanobambusa
tranquillans 'Shiroshima' |
|
16.00 |
1.30 |
3 |
4 |
This form has strikingly attractive leaves variegated in cream and green. The colors persist throughout the year. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Indocalamus | Small, running bamboos from China with large, broad leaves; similar to Sasa but with non-prominent culm nodes. |
Indocalamus
latifolius |
|
10.00 |
0.50 |
0 |
3 |
Similar to I. tessellatus, leaves about a foot long. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Indocalamus
tessellatus |
Big Leaf |
7.00 |
0.50 |
-10 |
4 |
Usually less than 4 feet tall, it can reach 10ft and has the largest leaves of any bamboo in cultivation, up to 26 inches by 5 inches. Adapts easily to growing in pots. Does well in shade or sun. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Phyllostachys | Medium to giant runners which have a distinct groove above pairs of unequal branches at mid-culm nodes. They shoot in spring. |
Phyllostachys
angusta |
STONE BAMBOO |
22.00 |
1.30 |
-2 |
5 |
Called Stone Bamboo because of the hard texture of its culms which in China are used to make fine bamboo furniture. |
|
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
arcana |
|
27.00 |
1.30 |
0 |
5 |
Named after its “hidden” characters of distinctive recognition. In China it is used for shoots and split culms are woven into mats. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
atrovaginata |
INCENSE BAMBOO |
35.00 |
2.80 |
-5 |
5 |
The shoots are among those having the least bite when raw. These plants were formerly listed as P. congesta. |
Phyllostachys congesta |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aurea |
GOLDEN, FISHPOLE BAMBOO |
27.00 |
1.80 |
5 |
5 |
The most commonly cultivated bamboo in the U.S., easily identified by one to several short internodes at the base of some of its culms. It is most invasive in areas with warm summers. Culm may grow to 3 inches diameter in favorable conditions. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aurea 'Flavescens-inversa' |
|
27.00 |
1.80 |
5 |
5 |
The green culms have a pale yellow groove. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aurea 'Holochrysa' |
GOLDEN GOLDEN |
27.00 |
1.80 |
5 |
5 |
Unlike the typical form whose culms stay green until old, these culms soon turn yellow, then golden orange. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aurea 'Koi' |
|
27.00 |
1.80 |
5 |
5 |
The culms turn from green to yellow after the first 6 months, but the culm grooves remain green. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aureosulcata |
Yellow Groove |
45.00 |
2.20 |
-5 |
5 |
The culms are more slender and delicate than golden bamboo; young culms are green with a yellow groove. Culm internodes distinctly rough to the touch when young, and an occasional culm has a zigzag kink. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aureosulcata 'Harbin' |
|
26.00 |
1.50 |
-5 |
5 |
The culms are yellow with multiple green grooves running the length of each internode; rare. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
aureosulcata 'Spectabilis' |
Green groove |
26.00 |
1.50 |
-5 |
5 |
The culms are yellow with a green groove, just opposite of the typical form. Smaller in hottest areas. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bambusoides |
GIANT JAPANESE TIMBER, MADAKE |
72.00 |
6.00 |
5 |
5 |
The most utilized bamboo in Japan where it is valued for its large straight thick-walled culms. Flowered extensively in the 1970’s and many plants died. Most plants have regained their vegetative vigor. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bambusoides 'Allgold' |
|
35.00 |
2.00 |
5 |
5 |
The culms are entirely golden yellow except for an occasional thin green stripe. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bambusoides 'Castillon' |
|
35.00 |
2.00 |
5 |
5 |
Golden yellow culms with green grooves and stripes. An occasional leaf is striped in cream. It died due to flowering, and a new clone with less leaf variegation, sometimes called 'McClure's Castillon', has been introduced. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bambusoides 'Slender Crookstem' |
|
48.00 |
3.00 |
0 |
5 |
Smaller than regular P. bambusoides with culms that often show a marked zigzag of lower internodes. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bissetii |
|
40.00 |
2.00 |
-10 |
5 |
A vigorously growing species whose culms are somewhat darker green than 'golden bamboo'. It is one of the first species of the genus to shoot in the spring. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
bissetii 'Dwarf' |
|
18.00 |
1.00 |
-10 |
5 |
Differs by being smaller, and having whitish patches on the culms; hardier, perhaps. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
dulcis |
Sweetshoot bamboo |
40.00 |
3.20 |
0 |
5 |
Arching culms. Named because its shoots are particularly free of any acrid taste. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
edulis |
MOSO |
75.00 |
7.00 |
5 |
5 |
Largest of the hardy bamboos. Young culms are covered with a velvety coat of soft hairs. The most used bamboo in China, used for food , timber, paper, plywood, and flooring. |
Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
edulis 'Anderson' |
|
75.00 |
7.00 |
-6 |
5 |
From the grove at Anderson, SC. Hardy to -6 F. |
Phyllostachys heterocycla pubescens 'Anderson |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
edulis 'Goldstripe' |
|
75.00 |
7.00 |
5 |
5 |
A Moso seedling that shows gold striation. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
flexuosa |
|
31.00 |
2.80 |
0 |
5 |
Named because some of the culms show a distinct zigzag pattern. One form is hardy to -8 ? F. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
glauca |
|
34.00 |
2.00 |
0 |
5 |
Named for blue-white powder that completely covers young culms. In China, grows as large as P. bambusoides. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
heteroclada |
WATER BAMBOO |
33.00 |
1.50 |
-11 |
5 |
Larger, more erect, and less zigzag than P. h. 'Purpurata'. |
Phyllostachys purpurata 'Straightstem' |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
heteroclada 'Purpurata' |
|
18.00 |
0.80 |
5 |
5 |
The slender, zigzag culms often bend to the ground under the weight of rain or in a strong wind. Air channels in rhizomes permit growth in wet locations. |
Phyllostachys purpurata |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
heteroclada 'Solidstem' |
|
24.00 |
1.30 |
-5 |
5 |
Similar to the species except that culms are solid below. |
Phyllostachys purpurata 'Solidstem' |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
makinoi |
|
60.00 |
3.00 |
0 |
5 |
Whitish green culms are covered with a bluish powder. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
mannii 'Decora' |
|
30.00 |
1.80 |
-5 |
5 |
From the Yangtze valley and adjacent areas of China. In China, it is called the Beautiful Bamboo. One of the best performers under stress of desert heat, cold, and drought in Nevada. Now considered to be conspecific with P. mannii 'mannii'. |
Phyllostachys decora |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
meyeri |
|
33.00 |
2.00 |
0 |
5 |
Similar in appearance to P. aurea but without the short internodes. |
|
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nidularia |
|
33.00 |
1.50 |
5 |
5 |
Distinctive, very prominent culm nodes. The shoots are exceptionally free of acrid taste. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra |
Black bamboo |
30.00 |
2.00 |
5 |
5 |
Culms turn jet black after the first 6 months to one year. Popular because of its graceful habit and the sharp accent of its culm color. Said to grow larger in northern climates. It is not clear whether there is significant difference between some of the cultivars |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra 'Bory' |
Snakeskin |
50.00 |
3.00 |
0 |
5 |
Differs from P. nigra by growing larger. Culms blotched with black, never completely black. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra 'Daikokuchiku' |
|
57.00 |
3.30 |
5 |
5 |
A clone from California, claimed to be larger than the species, with culms supposedly turning black more rapidly than other clones. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra 'Hale' |
|
20.00 |
1.50 |
0 |
4 |
Similar to the type, but smaller and hardier. Culms turn black almost immediately. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra 'Henon' |
|
65.00 |
3.50 |
0 |
5 |
Culms totally green, usually much larger than Black bamboo.Distinctive culms are rough to the touch and whitish green. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nigra 'Megurochiku' |
|
54.00 |
3.50 |
3 |
5 |
Green, similar to 'Henon' but the culm grooves are brown or purplish-black. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
nuda |
|
34.00 |
1.80 |
-10 |
5 |
Reputed to be the hardiest species of the genus. New culms are dark green and powdery. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
rubromarginata |
|
60.00 |
3.00 |
-5 |
5 |
Noted for its good quality wood and edible shoots,it tolerates cold, dry winds. Tests in Alabama showed it to be superior in culm production and cold tolerance. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
violascens |
|
20.00 |
2.00 |
0 |
5 |
Culms blackish-violet at first, sometimes striped with violet. Sheaths deep purple. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
viridiglaucescens |
|
35.00 |
2.00 |
-5 |
5 |
The culms grow very straight and the wood is of excellent quality. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
viridis |
|
47.00 |
3.30 |
0 |
5 |
A large species, high quality wood, excellent shoots. Culms feel somewhat rough due to tiny indentations. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
viridis 'Houzeau' |
|
45.00 |
3.00 |
0 |
5 |
Differs by having culms that are green with a yellow groove. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
viridis 'Robert Young' |
|
40.00 |
3.00 |
5 |
5 |
The culms and branches soon turn from sulfur green to old gold. Longitudinal green stripes of variable width mark many internodes. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
vivax |
Vivax |
70.00 |
5.00 |
5 |
5 |
Resembles P. bambusoides except that the culms have thinner walls and a white powdery band beneath each node at sheath-fall. Gray-green when mature. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Phyllostachys
vivax 'Aureocaulis' |
|
70.00 |
5.00 |
5 |
5 |
The culms turn yellow with a few narrow green stripes. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Pleioblastus | Genus of small and medium size running bamboos with persistent culm leaves. Most are native to Japan, were formerly classified in Arundinaria. |
Pleioblastus
argenteostriatus |
|
3.00 |
0.30 |
10 |
2 |
The green leaves, which are more or less striped with white or yellow, are hairless on both surfaces. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
chino 'Vaginatus Variegatus' |
|
6.00 |
0.50 |
10 |
3 |
Differs from the type by its smaller, narrower, white striped leaves, which are hairless on both surfaces. The rhizomes run deep in the ground. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
distichus |
DWARF FERN LEAF |
2.00 |
0.20 |
0 |
3 |
Branchlets bear tiny, two ranked leaves which are often only 1 inch long by 1/4 inch wide. A good ground cover or container plant. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
distichus 'Mini' |
|
1.00 |
0.20 |
0 |
3 |
Like the species, but only 8-12” high. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
fortunei |
Dwarf Whitestripe |
4.00 |
0.20 |
10 |
3 |
Dwarf variegated bamboo. Leaves keep their white stripes through the year, softly hairy on the lower surface. Aka P. variegatus. |
Pleioblastus variegatus |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
gramineus |
|
12.00 |
0.50 |
5 |
4 |
The long rather narrow leaves are grass-like in appearance. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
humilis |
|
7.00 |
0.30 |
0 |
3 |
An attractive dwarf with dark green leaves. An aggressive runner good for erosion control. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
kongosanensis |
|
6.00 |
0.40 |
5 |
4 |
Dark green leaves. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
linearis |
|
14.00 |
1.00 |
10 |
5 |
A native of Taiwan, a vigorous runner with long, narrow, grass-like leaves. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
pygmaeus |
|
2.00 |
0.10 |
0 |
3 |
Similar to Pl. distichus except that the leaves are hairy below. Other small bamboos are often sold under this name. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
shibuyanus 'Tsuboi' |
UEDA-ZASA |
9.00 |
0.30 |
-5 |
3 |
A vigorous growing dwarf with rather small, white striped leaves. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
simonii |
MEDAKE |
20.00 |
1.50 |
5 |
4 |
A medium size hardy bamboo that produces straight culms which are useful for many purposes. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
simonii 'Variegatus' |
|
20.00 |
1.50 |
5 |
4 |
Has some leaves variegated. Leaves on a culm may be different types— broad, narrow, green, or white striped. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
viridistriatus |
Dwarf Green Stripe |
3.00 |
0.30 |
0 |
2 |
The new leaves in spring are golden-yellow with green stripes, about 7 by 1.5 inch, densely hairy on the lower surface. Old culms should be mowed in winter making way for brilliant new growth in spring. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pleioblastus
viridistriatus 'Chrysophyllus' |
|
3.00 |
0.30 |
0 |
2 |
Same as Pl. viridistriatus, except that the leaves are yellow with only very faint green stripes. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Pseudosasa | Small to medium size running bamboos which usually have only one branch at a node. |
Pseudosasa
amabilis |
TONKIN CANE, TEA STICK |
50.00 |
2.50 |
15 |
5 |
The culms are straight, thick walled, non-prominent nodes, valued for its wood. Used for split bamboo fishing poles, decorative wood trim. Native to a very small area of China. |
Arundinaria amabilis |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pseudosasa
japonica |
Arrow Bamboo |
18.00 |
0.80 |
5 |
3 |
Erect culms with large broad leaves, up to a foot long by 1.5 inches wide. Less invasive than most other runners. It does well in tubs and pots. The culms were used in ancient japan to make arrows. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Pseudosasa
japonica 'Tsutsumiana' |
Green Onion |
18.00 |
0.80 |
5 |
3 |
Similar to the species except that the culm internodes tend to be swollen in shape somewhat like that of a green onion. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Sasa | Running species, dwarf or up to 6 feet tall, with at most one branch per node. The leaves are usually large. |
Sasa
kurilensis 'Shimofuri' |
|
6.00 |
0.50 |
0 |
2 |
Same as species, except that the leaves are variegated with many fine white stripes. A very attractive ornamental. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Sasa
palmata |
|
7.00 |
0.50 |
5 |
2 |
The thick, leathery leaves are up to 15 inches long by 21/2 inches wide. It does well in pots, looks best when grown in the shade. Grows taller in cool climates. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Sasa
veitchii |
KUMA-ZASA |
5.00 |
0.30 |
5 |
2 |
In Winter dark green leaves have very broad white margins. This, along with large leaves on short plants gives a unique, striking appearance. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Sasaella | Similar to Sasa except that culms are more erect, leaves are smaller and the oral setae have bristles only near the base. |
Sasaella
masamuneana 'Albostriata' |
FUIRI-SHIIYAZASA |
6.00 |
0.30 |
5 |
3 |
An attractive variegated bamboo with thick leaves striped in white or cream. |
Sasaella glabra 'Albostriata' |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Semiarundinaria | Medium size running bamboos with nearly cylindrical culms and culm leaves that hang for some time attached at the middle of their base. |
Semiarundinaria
fastuosa |
NARIHIRA BAMBOO |
30.00 |
1.50 |
0 |
5 |
Stately cultivar with very erect, straight culms and very short branches Culms eventually turn mottled purplish brown. Internodes narrowly grooved above the branches. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Semiarundinaria
okuboi |
BIRODONA |
25.00 |
1.50 |
5 |
5 |
The leaves are distinctive in being wider for their length than leaves of other bamboos. |
Semiarundinaria villosa |
Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Shibataea | A genus with very dense, short, zig-zagged angular culms with 3-5 branches per node, often clipped into balls. |
Shibataea
chinensis |
|
2.00 |
0.10 |
-5 |
3 |
Similar but smaller than S. kumasaca, it may also be hardier. Shows less leaf burn under alkaline conditions. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
Shibataea
kumasaca |
|
7.00 |
0.30 |
-5 |
3 |
Short, broad leaves on slender, nearly solid culms with prominent nodes and short slightly zigzag internodes. Prefers acid soil, shows extensive leaf burn if in alkaline environment. |
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Sources |
MORE |
| Runner |
| Yushania | A large group of spreading thornless frost-hardy bamboos from Taiwan, the Himalayas and Africa. Rhizomes pachymorph, often with long rootless necks, but also tillering, so forming spreading thickets. |
Yushania
anceps |
|
12.00 |
0.50 |
10 |
3 |
One of the beautiful mountain bamboos from the Himalayas of India. |
Arundinaria anceps |
Sources |
MORE |
| Open Clumper |