Common Name:

General Information

Acidosasa notata is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 3 - 6 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are 10 - 20mm in diameter with thick-walled internodes 21 - 25cm long[]. 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 a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southeast China (Fujian, Jiangxi, Zhejiang).

Habitat

Secondary forests in valleys or along river banks, often forming pure stands; at elevations from 400 - 800 metres in Zhejiang[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Acidosasa notata is cultivated in the warm temperate to subtropical zones of southeast China, where it is said to be hardy to at least -7°c.
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 north and east winds[]. Dislikes drought[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots - cooked. A sweet flavour[], 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

The canes are used for making umbrella handles, handicrafts, brush handles, farm scaffolding etc[].

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.