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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Semiarundinaria fastuosa is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 7.5 m (24ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow 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.
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) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Arundinaria fastuosa. A. narihira. Bambusa fastuosa. Sasa fastuosa.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Stem
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[25, 61, 177]. The shoots are almost free of any acridity[183]. Although small, they are of good quality when cooked[183]. A plant at Trebah gardens in Cornwall was producing a good amount of new shoots about 35mm in diameter in early April 1995[K]. They are best harvested as they come through the soil in spring[183]. Do not take too many from any plant since this will weaken the clump.

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

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Other Uses

Hedge Hedge Plant support

The plant is fairly resistant to maritime exposure and makes a good shelter hedge[K]. A hedge seen in 1987 in an exposed position at Rosewarne in N. Cornwall was looking good even after the severe winter of that year[K]. It needs to be planted fairly closely if a thick hedge is wanted quickly since it is a slow spreader. 60 - 75cm is a good distance. The canes can be used as plant supports[25].

Special Uses

Food Forest Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a damp humus-rich soil in sun or semi-shade[200]. Dislikes drought[1]. A slow growing plant, it prefers a position sheltered from cold north and east winds[25] but is fairly tolerant of maritime exposure[K]. A very ornamental and hardy bamboo[195], tolerating temperatures down to about -22°c[25, 200]. Most leaves are produced at the tops of the stems[200]. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. The plant has a running rootstock but is slow moving and generally well behaved in the British climate. New shoots are produced from late April[25]. 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]. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 6. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

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. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could be 2 - 3 years. The plants only flower at intervals of many years and so seed is rarely available. Division as the plants come into growth in spring. 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[200]. Basal cane cuttings. Rhizome cuttings.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Temple Bamboo

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Semiarundinaria murielae	Umbrella Bamboo	Bamboo	4.0	6-9	S	LMH	SN	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.

Expert comment

Author

(Lat.-Marl. ex Mitf.)Makino. ex Nakai.

Botanical References

1158200

Links / References

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

Readers comment


Helen Gazeley	Mon Mar 23 2009

There's nothing "sexist" about the title "Dictionary of Plants used by Man". Surely we've got past that sort of blinkered feminism by now. The meaning of "man" has always included man and woman, from the Old English "man" onwards, which meant humans. That meaning has never disappeared, except in the paranoid world of 70s feminism.

Semiarundinaria fastuosa - (Lat.-Marl. ex Mitf.)Makino. ex Nakai.