Indocalamus latifolius
a woody evergreen member of the Indocalamus genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gramineae
- Genus
- Indocalamus
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1 m
- Fertility
- Wind
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Wind
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The canes are used for making Chinese brushes, chopsticks etc. The large leaves are used for mantles. (does this mean some sort of headwear?)
- Product or use
- Weaving
- Product or use
- Wood
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - E. China.
- Habitat
- Elevations below 1000 metres.
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out (which could be a few years). Seed of this species is rarely available. Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more[3].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a good humus rich loam with ample moisture in the growing season[3]. Prefers partial shade[3], growing well in thin woodland[1]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. The rootstock is running and plants can be invasive[3]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[3]. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die[2].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
? The Plantsman. Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society 1979-00-00
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5