Common Name:

General Information

Yushania emeryi is a clump-forming, evergreen bamboo that can possibly grow up to 10 metres tall with erect, woody culms up to 45mm in diamete[]. The plant spreads slowly by means of short rhizomes, eventually forming quite a large, dense clump.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas in Eastern Nepal

Habitat

Wetter temperate mixed coniferous and rhododendron forests; at elevations from 2,600 - 3,200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	5.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Yushania emeryi is found at elevations up to 3,200 metres in the Himalayas of Nepal, where it experiences frost and snow.
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[].
The plant forms a moderately tight clump in the wild and thus does not hinder the regeneration of forests in its native range since the tree seedlings are able to germinate and re-produce in the gaps between the clumps[].
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[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The canes have level nodes, thin walls and long internodes. They split easily and are suitable for weaving into 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. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. 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[].