Practical
Plants

Phyllostachys arcana

Half-Black Bamboo

a woody evergreen member of the Phyllostachys genus in the family Gramineae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young shoots - cooked[3]. The shoots are harvested in the spring when about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level. They are said to be of good quality[2].

Plant part
Stem

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The canes are used as handles of farm appliances or as pillars of bamboo appliances. Also used for matting and making lanterns[3].

Product or use
Wood

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Not known
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light 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. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences. Divisions from the open ground do not transplant well, so will need careful treatment and nurturing under cover in pots until at least late spring[5]. Division is best carried out in wet weather and small divisions will establish better than large clumps[5]. Another report says that you can take large divisions from established clumps and transfer them straight to their permanent positions, misting or drenching them frequently until they are established[4]. Basal cane cuttings in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich damp soil with shelter from cold harsh winds and prolonged frosts. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4]. This is a good companion species to grow in a woodland because the plants are shallow rooted and do not compete with deep rooted trees[3]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[4]. 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[1].

References

  1. ? The Plantsman. Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society 1979-00-00

    ↩

  2. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  3. Farrelly. D. The Book of Bamboo Sierra Club. 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-87156-825-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2

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