Scientific Name:
Phyllostachys nigra
Pronunciation:
fill-oh-STAY-kus NYE-gruh
Common Name:
blackstem bamboo
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Bamboo, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Initially lump forming but then spreading after a few years; stems green/turn black/purple, round with flat groove on one side, nodes 2-ridged; leaves upright, most <8cm long x 1.2cm wide, lance-shaped, dark green, feathery.
Habit:
Arching, Dense, Spreading, Stiffly upright, Twiggy
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
7 - 10m
Mature Spread:
5 - 7m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
S.E. Asia / Japan / China (China)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade, Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Container planting, Cut flower or foliage, Filler, Group or mass planting, Hedge row, Mixed shrub border, Screening, Specimen plant, Summer interest, Tall background, Woodland margin
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green-yellow
Colour in Fall:
Green-yellow
Shapes:
Lanceolate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Cuneate, Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Panicle-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, Brown
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
May
Additional Info:
Usually only flowers if about to die.
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jul, Aug
Additional Info:
Not showy,
Bark Morphology:
Showy, Smooth, Multi-stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Black
Additional Info:
The dark colour may not develop if young plants or if it's too shady and will vary with cultlivar.
Organ Modifications:
Fleshy monocot roots, Rhizomes
Propagation:
Division - below ground parts
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Rust, Slugs or snails (Deer resistant)
