Phyllostachys parvifolia

Phyllostachys parvifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Phyllostachys
Species: P. parvifolia
Binomial name
Phyllostachys parvifolia
Phyllostachys parvifolia
Traditional Chinese 安吉金竹
Simplified Chinese 安吉金竹

Phyllostachys parvifolia is a running bamboo with thick culms that grow tall for a bamboo that endures cold weather. [1]

Description

A potential giant even in cooler areas, this bamboo grows with an average height of 7 meters (23 feet) reaching up to 12 meters (39 feet) or more with a maximum culm diameter of 10 cm (3.9 in). [1] [2] New culms are dark green, paling with age, [1] with a white ring appearing under each node. [2] Branches are short and leaves are small for a bamboo of the genus Phyllostachys. [1] Culm sheath colors of purple-red or brown fade or stripe into light colors of tan or yellow-white further up. [3] Like water bamboo, the rhizomes and roots of this species have air canals as an adaptation for living in wet soil. [2]

Distribution

This bamboo grows in areas ranging from subtropical to temperate and tolerates winter temperatures down to −21 or −26 °C (−6 or −15 °F) [2] being a more cold hardy bamboo. [4] Its natural distribution in Asia is limited primarily to Zhejiang Province [1] of China where it is cultivated. [3] Due to difficulties in propagation, availability in cultivation is limited. [1]

Name

Its common name "Anji golden bamboo" [5] derives from the Chinese, Anji being a county in Zhejiang Province. The botanical Latin "parvifolia" means "small-leaved".

Usage

This species is grown mainly for edible shoots, while the culms have general purpose uses. [3] Harvested moderately early, the shoots are of excellent flavor. [2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Paul Whittaker (2005). Hardy Bamboos: Taming the Dragon. Timber Press, Inc. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-88192-685-9.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Phyllostachys parvifolia". Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  3. 1 2 3 "Phyllostachys parvifolia in Flora of China". Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  4. "hardiness ratings". Retrieved 2009-07-02.
  5. Umberto Quattrocchi (2006). CRC World Dictionary of Grasses. CRC. p. 1716. ISBN 978-0-8493-1303-5.
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