Argentinian quila
Chusquea quila
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Chusquea quila is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 5 m (16ft) by 2.5 m (8ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Not known
S. America - Argentina, Chile.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Young shoots - cooked.
Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
The canes are used in making musical instruments, plain furniture and fencing.
Musical: Specific mention of plants used as musical instruments. Does not include the various woods that can be used for making musical instruments.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
How it is grown
Prefers a damp humus rich soil. Prefers an open loam of reasonable quality, doing well on peat. Likes plenty of moisture in the growing season. Established plants are drought tolerant. They require a position sheltered from cold north and east winds. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c. Another report says that the plant is probably only hardy in the milder areas of the country. It succeeds outdoors at Edinburgh Botanical Gardens and is growing well at Kew. This species is found further south in the world than any other species of bamboo, it grows in Chile as far south as latitude 47°south. The rootstock is caespitose, new shoots are produced from late April and can grow 15cm overnight. Plants take 2 - 3 years to settle down after being moved but are then quite fast growing. Another report says that they are slow growing. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants flower and produce seed annually in the wild without dying as a result of the flowering. Plants of the cultivar 'Tenuis' have been observed to be flowering in 1994, this is the first record of this species flowering in the northern hemisphere.
Propagating it: 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 large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences. Very difficult. Take divisions with at least four 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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Bamboo
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist