Phyllostachys nigra

Botanical Description

Phyllostachys nigra is an evergreen bamboo that can grow 4 - 8 metres tall, occasionally to 10 metres; the erect, woody culms can be 50mm or more in diameter with thin-walled internodes 25 - 30cm 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 sometimes also cultivated[ 61 Title A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Publication Author Usher. G. Publisher Constable Year 1974 ISBN 0094579202 Description Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader. ], for use as a food, medicine and as a source of materials. A very ornamental plant, it is widely grown in gardens. This species has been widely planted for ornament in the Mediterranean - it is escaping from cultivation and becoming established there[ 50 Title Flora Europaea Publication Author ? Publisher Cambridge University Press Year 1964 ISBN - Description An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader. ]. In Hawaii it is spreading by rhizomes and forming extensive, dense stands on moist, shaded slopes and stream banks, where it displaces native vegetation - virtually no other plants grow within the black bamboo groves[ 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. ].