There is disagreement over the correct name for this species, with some treatments placing it in the genus Arundinaria (as Arundinaria fargesii E.G.Camus)[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Bashania fargesii is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 5 - 8 metres tall, occasionally reaching 13 metres; the basally erect, woody culms are 20 - 65mm in diameter with thick-walled internodes around 4 - 8mm thick and 30 - 75cm 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 source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it is mainly used to provide shelter from the wind. Its wide-spreading root system make it effective in stabilizing the soil.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern central China (Gansu, Hubei, Shaanxi, Sichuan)

Habitat

Mountain forests, pure bamboo forests; at elevations from 1,100 - 2,500 metres, but mainly from 1,700 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Bashania fargesii is a moderately cold-hardy plant, able to tolerate temperatures down to around -25°c when fully dormant. It grows best in moist climates with hot summers.
Bamboos generally grow best in a sunny or moderately sunny position in a well-drained, fertile, open loam of reasonable quality with plenty of moisture in the growing season[]. This species is known to tolerate poor and dry soils, but grows much better in more favourable conditions. Most bamboos generally require a position sheltered from cold or strong winds[], but this species is a very tough plant and can be used in fairly windy sites to provide shelter..
A very vigorous bamboo, spreading widely at the roots to form large, open clumps of stems. It can be invasive in the garden unless controlled.
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[].
Bamboo species are usually notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant has a very vigorous root system, spreading freely to form large colonies. It can be used to stabilize soils on slopes.
The plant is fairly wind tolerant and can be used to provide wind shelter in moderately exposed positions.

Other Uses

The culms are often used for papermaking; also for weaving[].

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. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could be 2 - 3 years. The plants only flower at intervals of many years and so seed is rarely available.
Division as the plants come into growth in spring. 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.
Rhizome cuttings.