Common Name:

General Information

Pleioblastus maculatus is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 3 - 8 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are 15 - 40mm in diameter with thin-walled internodes[]. The rhizomes are elongated, the plant having a running habit that can produce new canes some distance from the main clump, especially in warm climates.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central and southern China.

Habitat

Often found growing in dense forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Pleioblastus maculatus grows in the warm temperate to subtropical climate of southeast China, where it is reported to be hardy to at least -15°c, at least for short periods.
Succeeds in most soils[] but prefers a good loamy soil in a sheltered position in semi-shade[]. Requires deep shade[] and a position sheltered from cold northerly and easterly winds[]. Dislikes drought[].
The rootstock is running.
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually -usually in the spring and early summer, and these stems grow to their maximum height in their first two to three months. Any subsequent growth in the stem is limited to the production of new side branches and leaves.
Temperate bamboo species usually grow for many years without flowering. When they do finally flower it is not unusual for all the plants of that species in the region to also flower. They do so profusely over a period of 1 - 3 years and will often then die, probably from exhaustion. Some species, if given plenty of organic matter at this time will gradually recover, although they will look rather poorly for a year or three. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked[]. A very bitter flavour, they need to be processed by cooking in at least one change of water before they can be eaten[, ]. The shoots, which are 10 - 20mm in diameter[], are harvested when about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Canes are used for scaffolding in China. The culms can be used for fencing, canopy, awning, shed or sack in the countryside[].
The stems are split and often used for weaving[]. The stems are fragile and, when split, are not so good for weaving[]. It would appear the stems of this plant are of variable quality for weaving - the first of these two reports was for Pleioblastus oleosus, which is now considered to be a synonym of Pleioblastus maculatus, whilst the second report was for Pleioblastus maculatus[].

Propagation

Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed should be sown as soon as it is received. 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 when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse or cold frame until they are large enough to plant out, which could be a number of years. The plants only flower at intervals of several years and so 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[].
Basal cane cuttings.