Practical
Plants

Semiarundinaria fastuosa

Narihiradake

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
slow
Height
7.5 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

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

Young shoots - cooked[8][9][4]. The shoots are almost free of any acridity[5]. Although small, they are of good quality when cooked[5]. A plant at Trebah gardens in Cornwall was producing a good amount of new shoots about 35mm in diameter in early April 1995[K]. They are best harvested as they come through the soil in spring[5]. Do not take too many from any plant since this will weaken the clump.

Plant part
Stem

Material uses

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

The plant is fairly resistant to maritime exposure and makes a good shelter hedge[K]. A hedge seen in 1987 in an exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall was looking good even after the severe winter of that year[K]. It needs to be planted fairly closely if a thick hedge is wanted quickly since it is a slow spreader. 60 - 75cm is a good distance. The canes can be used as plant supports[8].

Product or use
Plant support

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S. Japan. Locally naturalized in Britain and Ireland.
Habitat
Light woodlands and moist places[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
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 as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could be 2 - 3 years. The plants only flower at intervals of many years and so seed is rarely available. Division as the plants come into growth in spring. 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[7]. Basal cane cuttings. Rhizome cuttings.

Cultivation

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

Prefers a damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade[7]. Dislikes drought[1]. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds[8] but is fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[K]. A very ornamental and hardy bamboo[6], tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c[8][7]. Most leaves are produced at the tops of the stems[7]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[7]. The plant has a running rootstock but is slow moving and generally well behaved in the British climate. New shoots are produced from late April[8]. 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

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

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

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  3. Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9

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  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  8. Lawson. Bamboos. Faber 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  9. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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