Giant timber bamboo, Japanese timber bamboo
Phyllostachys bambusoides

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A bamboo. It grows up to 30 m tall. The culms can be 20 cm across. They are glossy dark green. The leaves are 9-20 cm long by 2-4.5 cm wide. The shoots are 45-48 cm long and 2-3 cm wide.

It is an important timber species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate to subtropical plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-11. It can tolerate temperatures down to -15°C.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Caribbean, China (country/location of origin), India, Indochina, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Northeastern India, SE Asia, USA, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. They need to be cooked in several changes of water to remove bitterness. They are also used for pickles.

It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Plants are grown by division.

The plant grows for over 120 years before flowering.

Its other names

Local names

Castillon bamboo, Hardy timber bamboo, Madake, Osmanthus bamboo, Wah mi, Wangdae

Synonyms

Phyllostachys reticulata Koch;