Common Name: Kuma-Zasa

General Information

Sasa veitchii is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 50 - 120cm tall; the erect, woody culms are around 10mm 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. It quickly forms an open thicket of slender, erect culms topped by a loose canopy of large, spreading leaves[]
The plant is grown as an ornamental, where it can be used as a ground cover and a hedge.
The plant has a running rootstock, it can be very invasive but is fairly easy to control by means such as mowing.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, Japan.

Habitat

Woodlands and damp hollows[, ].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Sasa veitchii grows in the cool temperate zone of northern Japan and is very cold hardy - it can tolerate temperatures down to about -22°c.
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[].
The leaf margins are damaged by even light frosts, this gives a distinctive white margin to the leaves but does not otherwise damage the plant[].
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. 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:

A good medium high ground cover plant[], it is a very good weed suppresser.
Plants can be used as a low loose hedge[].

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 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[].