Sasa palmata Broadleaf Bamboo, Bamboo PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Sasa palmata is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Arundinaria palmata. Bambusa metallica. B. palmata.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Hedge Plant support Wood Hedge

Makes a good hedge or screen, especially when growing in a lightly shaded position[25]. The canes can be used as plant supports[25]. The canes and foliage are used to make hardboard and cardboard[25, 61, 195].

Special Uses

Hedge Attracts Wildlife Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Ground cover. Requires a good humus rich loam with ample moisture in the growing season[200]. Prefers partial shade[200], growing well in thin woodland[11]. A very hardy plant[25], tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c without much damage[195]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. 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[122]. When grown near water it makes a good cover for wild fowl etc[25]. The rootstock is very rampant and difficult to remove once established[11, 25]. New shoots are produced from April[25]. Special Features: Invasive, Naturalizing, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°c. Stored seed is best 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 until large enough to plant out, which could be a few years. Plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division in late spring as new growth commences. Take large divisions, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main clump 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[200]. Divisions of less than 5 - 6 culms rarely succeed[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Kurile Islands, Sakhalin (south)), Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Camellia sasanqua	Camellia, Sasanqua camellia	Shrub	3.0	7-9	S	LM	SN	M	3	1	4
Pseudosasa amabilis	Tonkin Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	5-9		LMH	FSN	M	0	0	1
Pseudosasa japonica	Metake - Bamboo	Bamboo	4.5	5-9		LMH	FSN	MWe	2	1	3
Sasa cernua		Bamboo	1.8	-		LMH	S	M	1	0
Sasa chimakisasa		Bamboo	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	1	0
Sasa kurilensis	Chishima Zasa	Bamboo	2.5	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	1	3
Sasa nipponica	Miyako-Zasa	Bamboo	0.8	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	0
Sasa senanensis		Bamboo	1.8	-		LMH	S	M	2	0
Sasa veitchii	Kuma-Zasa, Kuma bamboo grass	Bamboo	1.5	7-10		LMH	S	M	1	0	3
Sasaella ramosa	Azuma-Zasa	Bamboo	1.0	6-9	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Sasamorpha borealis		Bamboo	3.0	6-9		LMH	S	M	1	0
Shibataea kumasasa	Bamboo, Okame Zasa	Bamboo	0.8	6-9	S	LMH	S	M	0	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(Burb.)E.G.Camus.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Patrick Roper	Thu Apr 9 2009

Leaves from this bamboo are used for wrapping the rice dumplings called 'chimaki' in Japan, hence the Japanese name for the plant - 'chimaki zasa'. There are lots of references on the Internet.

Sasa palmata - (Burb.)E.G.Camus.