Common Name: Broadleaf Bamboo

General Information

Sasa palmata is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 100 - 300cm tall; the erect, woody culms are around 6 - 10mm in diameter with thin-walled internodes 14 - 20cm long[]. The rhizomes are elongated, the plant having a running habit that can produce new canes some distance from the main clump. It quickly forms an open thicket of slender, erect culms topped by a loose canopy of large, spreading leaves[].
The plant is harvested from the wild or local use as a source of materials. It is often grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a hedge.
The plant has a rampant, running rootstock. It has often escaped from cultivation and become naturalized[]. Very difficult to remove once established, the plant can invade woodland and crowd out native species[, ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East (Sakhalin), Japan, Korea

Habitat

Woodlands and damp hollows[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Sasa palmata is native to the temperate zones of Japan and Korea. A very hardy plant[], it can tolerate temperatures down to about -20°c without much damage[].
Prefers a position in partial shade, growing best in a good humus rich loam with ample moisture in the growing season[]. It grows well in thin woodland[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
When grown near water the plant makes a good cover for wild fowl etc[].
New shoots are produced from mid spring[].
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. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world[].
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.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant makes a good hedge or screen, especially when growing in a lightly shaded position[].

Other Uses

The canes can be used as plant supports[].
The canes and foliage are used as a raw material for making hardboard and cardboard[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed is best 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 until large enough to plant out, which could be a few years. Plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available.
Division in late spring as new growth commences. Take large divisions, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main clump 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[]. Divisions of less than 5 - 6 culms rarely succeed[].