Thamnocalamus aristatus
a woody evergreen member of the Thamnocalamus genus in the family Gramineae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Gramineae
- Genus
- Thamnocalamus
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 6 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[5]. The new shoots are about 15mm in diameter[K]. Seed - used as a cereal[5]. The plants only flower and produce seed at intervals of several years.
- Plant part
- Seed
- Plant part
- Stem
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The canes are used for making walking sticks, baskets and pipes[7][9][10][8]. They can also be used as plant supports[4]. Valuable for screen planting in wet areas[6].
- Product or use
- Basketry
- Product or use
- Plant support
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - N.E. Himalayas.
- Habitat
- Damp sites in woodland and high savannah[6]. Open, rocky ground at elevations of 2200 - 3100 metres in Nepal[8].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 6+
- 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. 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[6]. Basal cane cuttings.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in most soils in sun or shade so long as the soil is moist[6]. Prefers a good loamy soil in a semi-shaded position[1][2][7], the leaves curling up when the plant grows in strong sunlight. Dislikes drought[1]. Requires a position sheltered from cold winds[7]. This species is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain. Plants are hardy to about -20°c according to another report. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. 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]. The rootstock is caespitose[7]. Closely related to T. spathiflorus[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
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
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Lawson. Bamboos. Faber 1968-00-00
Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00