Common Name: Ringal

General Information

Yushania anceps is an evergreen bamboo that can grow around 4.5 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are around 12mm in diameter with thin-walled internodes around 10 - 28cm 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. Very ornamental, it can be grown as a hedge or screen in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - western Himalayas

Habitat

Broadleaved and coniferous woodland at elevations from 1,800 - 3,300 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	4.50 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Yushania anceps is found at elevations up to 3,000 metres in the Himalayas, where it experiences frost and snow. Reports on hardiness vary, some saying it cannot tolerate much frost, others that it can tolerate occasional short-lived temperatures falling as low as -20°c. It often loses its leaves in severe winters in southern Britain, though usually recovers[]. It is unlikely to withstand prolonged periods of cold weather.
Prefers an open loam of fair quality[] and a position sheltered from cold drying winds[]. Succeeds on peaty soils. Requires abundant moisture and plenty of organic matter in the soil[, ]. Grows well in light woodland[].
New shoots are produced from late spring[].
The rhizome is running and can be invasive[, , ]. It is fairly easy to control, however, because the new shoots are brittle and easily broken off of the plant.
In a well-managed stand of the plant, yields of around 14 tonnes per hectare per year of canes can be obtained[].
This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[].
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 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[].
This species often flowers in Britain, sometimes continuously over a number of years. Although individual stems may die, the plant is not monocarpic and often produces viable seed[]. Plants can be badly weakened by flowering but they usually recover, however they are likely to be killed if they are given artificial NPK fertilizers at this time[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant makes an attractive hedge or screen, eventually becoming very dense[].

Other Uses

When split, the canes are used for weaving mats.baskets etc[, ]. The canes are also used as plant supports, though they must be properly ripened[, , ].

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. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until the seedlings are large enough to plant out, which could take a few years. Seed is rarely available.
Division in late spring[]. Best done as the new shoots first appear above ground[]. 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[].