Pseudosasa japonica

Botanical Description

Pseudosasa japonica is an evergreen bamboo that usually grows 1 - 3 metres tall, occasionally to 5 metres; the erect, woody culms are around 15mm 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, especially in warm climates. This tendency to run, however, is somewhat curtailed in cooler climates, where new shoot production can be rather reduced. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown as a hedge or screen in gardens[ 1 Title RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Publication Author F. Chittendon. Publisher Oxford University Press Year 1951 ISBN - Description Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaced in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [ 200 ]). ]. The rootstock is running, capable of spreading 150cm in every direction every year. It can escape from cultivation, when it can become very invasive[ 25 Title Bamboos. Publication Author Lawson. Publisher Faber Year 1968 ISBN - Description Fairly comprehensive, it was once the standard work but is now rather dated. Deals with species hardy in Britain, giving cultivation details and some uses. ]. It is considered an invasive species in several N. American states. It is fairly easy to controli n the garden, however, by mowing around the clump and, if any new shoots that are not wanted are broken off whilst they are still small and brittle. It is important, however, to destroy any unwanted parts of the root that are dug up otherwise they can regrow and form new plants.