This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Phyllostachys nigra
  • Black Bamboo

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

Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • partial shade
    Partial shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Phyllostachys nigra has 0 edible uses listed
Phyllostachys nigra has 0 material uses listed
Phyllostachys nigra has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Young shoots - cooked[1][2][3][4]. Somewhat acrid when raw[5], they are prepared for eating by boiling in one change of water, the water being changed after 8 - 10 minutes[6]. A distinctive taste and aroma[6]. The shoots are harvested in the spring when they are about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level.

Stem

Unknown use

Material uses

The canes make good plant supports. Thin walled but durable, the canes are also used for cabinet work and for decorative panels and inlays[7]. The rhizome is used in making umbrella handles, wickerwork, canes, musical instruments and various kinds of handicrafts[1][8].

Unknown part

Basketry
Plant support
Wood

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves are antipyretic and diuretic[9]. They are used internally in the treatment of fevers (especially infantile convulsions), vomiting and nosebleeds[10]. The leave are harvested during the growing season and dried for later use[10].

The juice of the stems is antipyretic, antitussive, expectorant and sedative[11][12][9]. It is taken internally in the treatment of lung infections with cough and phlegm[10]. The sap is pressed from young stems in the summer and then dried for later use[10]. The epidermis of the stem bark is antiemetic, depurative and sedative[11][12][9]. It is used internally in the treatment of vomiting, nosebleeds, coughs etc[10]. The epidermis is collected from young stems in the summer and is dried for later use[10].

The root is astringent, antipyretic, diuretic and styptic[11][12][9]. It has been used in the treatment of rabies[10]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[10].

Unknown part

Antiemetic
Antitussive
Astringent
Depurative
Diuretic
Expectorant
Febrifuge
Sedative
Styptic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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 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[10]. Division is best carried out in wet weather and small divisions will establish better than large clumps[10]. 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[13].

Basal cane cuttings in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Phyllostachys nigra. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered sunny position[13][10] and plenty of moisture in the growing season[14].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -7°c, but it dislikes prolonged exposure to hard frosts[13]. Another report says that it is hardy to about -18°c[7]. A very ornamental plant[14]. There are many named forms of this species, some of them are given specific status by some botanists[15][13]. These forms include 'Boryana', 'Fulva', 'Henonis' and 'Punctata'. It is the form 'Henonis' that is normally used medicinally in China[12]. 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[16]. 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[7]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[13]. The plant has a running rootstock, though not aggressively so in the cooler climate of Britain[13]. and it produces new shoots from May[1]. Cultivated for its edible young shoots in China[5]. This species has been widely planted for ornament in the Mediterranean and is becoming established[17]. The ssp. P. nigra boryana and P. nigra henonis are also mentioned for their edible young shoots, they are both cultivated for their edible shoots which are similar in all respects to P. nigra.

Dead stems can be removed at any time of the year[10]. It is also possible to thin the clumps in spring, leaving only the strongest stems and thus creating an open grove-like effect[10].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Phyllostachys nigra. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Phyllostachys nigra.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Phyllostachys nigra
Genus
Phyllostachys
Family
Gramineae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[9][10][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
[7][1][8]
Botanic
[15][13]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
Shade
partial shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    7.5 x 6 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Wind
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite











    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Lawson. Bamboos. Faber (1968-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Farrelly. D. The Book of Bamboo Sierra Club. ISBN 0-87156-825-X (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (1968-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.4 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    10. ? 10.0010.0110.0210.0310.0410.0510.0610.0710.0810.0910.1010.1110.1210.13 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.513.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? 14.014.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
    16. ? ? The Plantsman. Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980. Royal Horticultural Society (1979-00-00)
    17. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)


    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Phyllostachys_nigra&oldid=79287"
    Facts about "Phyllostachys nigra"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyGramineae +
    Belongs to genusPhyllostachys +
    Has binomial namePhyllostachys nigra +
    Has common nameBlack Bamboo +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partStem +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeWind +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useBasketry +, Plant support + and Wood +
    Has mature height7.5 +
    Has mature width6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAntiemetic +, Antitussive +, Astringent +, Depurative +, Diuretic +, Expectorant +, Febrifuge +, Sedative + and Styptic +
    Has search namephyllostachys nigra + and black bamboo +
    Has shade tolerancePartial shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy namePhyllostachys nigra +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra +, Phyllostachys nigra + and Phyllostachys nigra +