Practical
Plants

Semiarundinaria murielae

Umbrella Bamboo

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Material uses

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

Tolerant of wind, so long as this is not too cold, the plant makes a good dense shelter hedge[4]. It blankets noise very well. It needs to be planted fairly densely because it does not spread very quickly, 60 - 75cm is a good distance. The canes can be used as plant supports[6].

Product or use
Plant support

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Found at altitudes up to 3000 metres in W. Hupeh.
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[5]. 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[5]. Prefers light shade[6]. Dislikes drought[1]. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds. A very cold-hardy bamboo, tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c. According to some authorities this species is no more than a form of Thamnocalamus spathaceus[5]. Most leaves are produced at the tops of the stems[5]. The plant has a running rootstock but does not spread far in the cooler climate of Britain and never becomes invasive. Produces its new shoots from late April[6]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[5]. 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[3].

References

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

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Lawson. Bamboos. Faber 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page