Pseudosasa humilis
(Mitford) T.Q.Nguyen
Poaceae
Arundinaria fortunei viridis Mitford
Arundinaria gauntlettii A.H.Lawson
Arundinaria humilis Mitford
Arundinaria variegata major Makino ex I.Tsuboi
Arundinaria virens (Makino) Ohwi
Bambusa gracilis Bean
Nipponocalamus asanoi (Nakai) Nakai
Nipponocalamus humilis (Mitford) Nakai
Nipponocalamus koshisimonii (Koidz.) Nakai
Nipponocalamus lasiochlamys (Nakai) Nakai
Nipponocalamus longifolius (Nakai) Nakai
Nipponocalamus ohmiensis (Koidz.) Nakai
Nipponocalamus ryokeanus (Koidz.) Nakai
Nipponocalamus usuiensis (Nakai) Nakai
Nipponocalamus virens (Makino) Nakai
Pleioblastus asanoi Nakai
Pleioblastus fortunei viridis Muroi & H.Okamura
Pleioblastus humilis (Mitford) Nakai
Pleioblastus koshisimonii Koidz.
Pleioblastus lasiochlamys Nakai
Pleioblastus longifolius Nakai
Pleioblastus ohmiensis Koidz.
Pleioblastus ryokeanus Koidz.
Pleioblastus toyokensis Nakai
Pleioblastus usuiensis Nakai
Pleioblastus variegatus major (Makino ex I.Tsuboi) Makino & Nemoto
Pleioblastus virens Makino
Sasa gauntlettii A.H.Lawson
Sasa humilis (Mitford) E.G.Camus
Yushania humilis (Mitford) W.C.Lin
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[
25- Title
- Bamboos.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lawson.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Fairly comprehensive, it was once the standard work but is now rather dated. Deals with species hardy in Britain, giving cultivation details and some uses.
]. The plant is still widely sold and is said to be easily controlled by mowing.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
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[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
] in a sheltered position in semi-shade[
25- Title
- Bamboos.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lawson.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Fairly comprehensive, it was once the standard work but is now rather dated. Deals with species hardy in Britain, giving cultivation details and some uses.
]. Dislikes drought[
1- Title
- RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956
- Publication
-
- Author
- F. Chittendon.
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Year
- 1951
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
]. Requires shelter from cold winds[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
New shoots are produced from late spring[
25- Title
- Bamboos.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lawson.
- Publisher
- Faber
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Fairly comprehensive, it was once the standard work but is now rather dated. Deals with species hardy in Britain, giving cultivation details and some uses.
].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
122- Title
- The Plantsman. Vol. 1. 1979 - 1980.
- Publication
-
- Author
- ?
- Publisher
- Royal Horticultural Society
- Year
- 1979
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- Excerpts from the periodical giving cultivation details and other notes on some of the useful plants. A good article on the flowering of bamboos.
], but other stems continuing to grow and new stems being produced[
11- Title
- Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Bean. W.
- Publisher
- Murray
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
].
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[
195- Title
- The Book of Bamboo
- Publication
-
- Author
- Farrelly. D.
- Publisher
- Thames & Hudson; London
- Year
- 1996
- ISBN
- 0-500-27911-X
- Description
- Very readable, giving lots of information on the uses of bamboos, both temperate and tropical.
]. 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{[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]
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[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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