Practical
Plants

Yushania anceps

Ringal

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Taxonomy and growth

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

Uses

Material uses

Canes are used as plant supports and in basketry, they must be properly ripened[7][4][5]. The plant makes an attractive hedge or screen, eventually becoming very dense[5].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Plant support

Ecology and functions

Hedge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - N.W. Himalayas
Habitat
Found at heights of 3000 metres[7].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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 the seedlings are large enough to plant out, which could take a few years. Seed is rarely available. Division in late spring[7]. Best done as the new shoots first appear above ground[7]. 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[7].

Cultivation

Prefers an open loam of fair quality[6] and a position sheltered from cold drying winds[2]. Succeeds on peaty soils. Requires abundant moisture and plenty of organic matter in the soil[1][2]. Grows well in light woodland[3]. A very ornamental plant[2], it often loses its leaves in winter but is very hardy in Britain[7]. Another report says that it is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain whilst yet another says that it tolerates temperatures down to about -20°c. The rhizome is running and can be invasive[2][7][3]. It is fairly easy to control, however, because the new shoots are brittle and easily broken off of the plant. New shoots are produced from late May[7]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. Plants often flower in Britain, sometimes continuously over a number of years, they are not monocarpic and often produce viable seed[3]. Plants can be badly weakened by flowering but they usually recover, however they are likely to be killed if they are given artificial NPK fertilizers at this time[3].

References

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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

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

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Lawson. Bamboos. Faber 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

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