Common Name:

General Information

Pseudosasa humilis is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 60 - 200cm tall; the erect, woody culms are 4 - 7mm 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 grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it is often used as a ground cover in shady situations, and can also be used for soil stabilization.
The rootstock is running and can be invasive[]. The plant is still widely sold and is said to be easily controlled by mowing.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - central Japan.

Habitat

Not known

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Pseudosasa humilis can tolerate winter temperatures down to at least -10°c.
Succeeds in most soils but prefers a good loamy soil[] in a sheltered position in semi-shade[]. Dislikes drought[]. Requires shelter from cold winds[].
New shoots are produced from late spring[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves.
Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. This pattern can vary - sometimes flowering is sporadic, with plants flowering annually and not dying; at other times it is gregarious with all the plants in a specific species coming into flower at the same time. This species often has sporadic flowering, with some stems flowering and producing fertile seed then dying[], but other stems continuing to grow and new stems being produced[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plants extensive and invasive root system make it a useful ground cover for erosion control[]. However, it should only be used for this purpose within its native range because of its propensity to spread into the surrounding environment and become a weed{[]

Other Uses

None known

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 as the plant comes 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[].