Schizostachyum jaculans

Cultivation Details

Bamboos have an interesting method of growth. Each plant produces a number of new stems annually - these stems grow to their maximum height in their first year of growth, subsequent growth in the stem being limited to the production of new side branches and leaves. In the case of some mature tropical species the new stem could be as much as 30 metres tall, with daily increases in height of 30cm or more during their peak growth time. This makes them some of the fastest-growing species in the world^[PFAF]. The young shoots of this species are produced almost all the year round^[1]. Bamboos in general are usually monocarpic, living for many years before flowering, then flowering and seeding profusely for a period of 1 - 3 years before usually dying. Contrary to most other species in the genus Schizostachyum, this species very seldom flowers. In most members of the genus the inflorescences terminate leafy branches and are present in almost all culms of a clump. In this species, however, inflorescences are usually found on almost leafless branches on only some of the culms in a clump^[1].