Square Bamboo
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 3 m (9ft 10in). 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). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Forests.

E. Asia - S.E. China, Formosa. Naturalized in south-western England.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Young shoots - cooked. An excellent relish. The canes are up to 20mm in diameter.

Stem: this often intergrades into leaves.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

The canes make good plant supports and are excellent material for handicrafts. Can be grown as a hedge or screen.

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.

Hedge: Hedge

How it is grown

Prefers a good loamy soil. Succeeds in most soils so long as they do not dry out. Dislikes drought. Prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds. Plants are only reliably hardy in the mildest areas of Britain. Another report says that the plants are generally hardy, although severe winters may damage the leaves the plant itself can withstand temperatures down to about -15°c. The square bamboo is cultivated for its edible stems in China and Japan. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. Plants only flower at intervals of many years. When they do come into flower most of the plants energies are directed into producing seed and consequently the plant is severely weakened. They sometimes die after flowering, but if left alone they will usually recover though they will look very poorly for a few years. If fed with artificial NPK fertilizers at this time the plants are more likely to die. The rootstock is running but it does not produce many new shoots and is not overly invasive. The plant is rampant in its native range and other warm temperate areas, but it does not spread much in colder areas such as Britain. The shoots are wide spaced and are produced from late May. Canes can be snapped off the plant. A plant at Trebah gardens in Cornwall had new shoots 3 metres long in mid-April 1995.

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. Take divisions with at least three 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. Rhizome cuttings.

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

Habit: Bamboo

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Arundinaria quadrangularis. Bambusa angulata. B. quadrangularis. Tetragonacalamus quadrangularis.