Common Name:

General Information

Yushania maling is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 3 - 9metres tall; the erect, woody culms are 20 - 30mm in diameter with thin-walled internodes 30 - 40cm 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. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Himalayas - Nepal to Assam.

Habitat

Temperate forests and open grazing areas; at elevations from 1,600 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Bamboo
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Yushania maling is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and is probably best grown under protection[]. A plant is growing well at Trebah gardens in Cornwall, England where it was 5 metres tall with new canes 30mm in diameter in 1995[].
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 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.
New shoots are produced from late spring.
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 are used to in house construction and for matting. When growing vigorously, the canes can be used for weaving baskets or making fencing, more usually though the growth is smaller and is used for making brushes and straws[].

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[].