Phyllostachys bissetii

Botanical Description

Phyllostachys bissetii is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 5 - 6 metres tall; the erect, woody culms are around 20mm in diameter with thin-walled internodes up to 25cm long[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. 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 and also cultivated for use as a source of materials. Phyllostachys bissetii has escaped from cultivation in the Cook Islands and is described there as invasive[ 305 Title Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk Publication Author Website http://www.hear.org/pier/scientificnames/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A very good website detailing weed species that have been introduced into the Pacific Islands. ].