Medake, Simon bamboo
Pleioblastus simonii

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Pleioblastus simonii is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4.5 m (14ft 9in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. 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) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 4.5

Where it is found

Not known

E. Asia - China, Japan. Locally naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Young shoots - cooked. They have a very bitter flavour, this bitterness is considerably reduced by changing the water at least once during the cooking process - though this will also remove quite a few of the nutrients. The new shoots are about 20mm in diameter. Seed cooked. As a grass seed the paper husk must be removed before eating.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Canes are thin walled but extremely strong, they can be used as plant supports, also for fencing etc. Often used in China for making fan handles, poles and in various handicrafts. Tolerant of maritime exposure and very hardy and vigorous, this plant makes a good screen or hedge.

Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.

Plant support: Usually bamboos, used as canes in the garden for holding up plants.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

A very easily grown bamboo, it succeeds in most soils but prefers a good loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Dislikes drought. Tolerates maritime exposure. A very hardy plant, it can tolerate temperatures down to between -20 and -25°c. The rootstock is running and very invasive. Another report says that it is a vigorous grower but not invasive. New shoots are produced from May. The canes are harvested commercially for their many uses in Japan. It is the third most commonly cultivated species in Japan. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Unlike many bamboos, this plant quite often flowers and sets viable seed, the plants do not usually die as a result of this. However, if they are fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time they are far less likely to survive.

Propagating it: Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed should be sown as soon as it is received. 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. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse or cold frame until they are large enough to plant out, which could be a number of years. The plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences. Very easy, single canes can be used. Pot them up in light shade in a greenhouse. Make sure the foliage is not allowed to dry out - misting 2 - 3 times a day for the first couple of weeks following divsion can be very helpful. Plant out in the summer once they are growing away strongly.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;

Habit: Bamboo

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arundinaria simonii. Bambusa simonii. B. viridistriata. Nipponocalamus simonii.