This species is treated as Brachystachyum densiflorum (Rendle) Keng in the Illustrated Flora of Bambusoideae in China (see https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-8580-2_14-1)[]

Common Name:

General Information

Semiarundinaria densiflora is an evergreen bamboo that can grow around 2.5 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are up to 10mm in diameter with thick-walled internodes 7 - 15cm 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 for weaving baskets etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - southeast China (Anhui, Guangdong, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Zhejiang)

Habitat

Sunny slopes and plateaux[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Semiarundinaria densiflora is a somewhat hardy bamboo[], tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c[, ]
Prefers a damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade[]. Dislikes drought[]. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold winds[] but is fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[].
Succeeds in full sun and in partial shade. Species in this genus generally tolerate a wide range of soils and sites, though they prefer a damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ]. They grow best in a position sheltered from cold winds[]. Plants are generally not very tolerant of dry conditions[].
Temperate 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 in future years 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

Other Uses

The stems are split and used for weaving mats, baskets etc[].

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.