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Summary

Form: Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Bambusa multiplex is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. 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) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

B. argentea. B. glaucescens. B. nana. Leleba multiplex.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Stem
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[46, 105]. Bitter tasting, they are rarely eaten[195]. They are less bitter if harvested before they emerge from the soil and then parboiled in water[183].

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 Paper Weaving

Paper is made from the culms[46, 61]. The canes are too arched for good poles and there is too small a volume for significant pulp production, in spite of good fibre dimensions[195]. The culms are up to 4cm in diameter[220]. The canes split easily and are fairly flexible - they are used as a source of weaving material for mats, baskets and other household goods[220, 272]. The plant makes a good screen or hedge[188, 200].

Special Uses

Hedge Hedge

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Screen, Specimen. Prefers an open loam of fair quality, succeeding on peaty soils and in full sun or dappled shade[11, 200]. Requires a position sheltered from cold drying winds[11]. Requires abundant moisture in the growing season and plenty of organic matter in the soil[11]. A fairly hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -8°c[25, 195], but it does not like periods of prolonged cold. 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]. New shoots appear in late spring, the rootstock is caespitose[25]. A polymorphic species, there are many named varieties selected for their ornamental value[25, 195]. Special Features: Not North American native, Invasive, Inconspicuous flowers or blooms.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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. Grow on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences[220]. 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]. Branches often develop into rhizomatous offsets with long roots. These can be removed and potted up in late spring[220].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

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
Bambusa atra	Clumping Bamboo. Long pipe bamboo.	Bamboo	8.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	MWe	2	0	3
Bambusa bambos	Giant Thorny Bamboo	Bamboo	30.0	10-12	F	MH	SN	M	3	3	5
Bambusa blumeana	Spiny Bamboo. Spiny bamboo, Thorny bamboo	Bamboo	20.0	10-12	F	MH	N	M	2	0	3
Bambusa heterostachya	Malay Dwarf Green	Bamboo	8.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Bambusa nutans	Nodding Bamboo, Mai bong	Bamboo	12.0	9-10	F	LMH	SN	M	2	0	4
Bambusa odashimae	Odashimae Bamboo	Bamboo	15.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	M	4	0	0
Bambusa oldhamii	Ryoku-Chiku, Giant Timber Bamboo, Oldham's Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	9-12		LMH	SN	M	2	0	3
Bambusa pervariabilis	Clumping Bamboo	Bamboo	8.0	9-11	F	LMH	SN	M	3	0	4
Bambusa polymorpha	Burmese bamboo, Jama Betua	Bamboo	12.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	M	2	0	4
Bambusa textilis	Clumping Bamboo. Weaver's bamboo	Bamboo	8.0	7-11	F	LMH	SN	M	3	0	4
Bambusa tulda	Bengal Bamboo. Spineless Indian bamboo	Bamboo	15.0	10-12	F	LMH	SN	M	2	0	4
Bambusa vulgaris	Common Bamboo	Bamboo	20.0	9-12	F	LMH	SN	M	3	2	4
Chimonobambusa marmorea	Kan-Chiku	Bamboo	1.5	5-9	F	LMH	SN	M	1	0	3
Chimonobambusa pachystachys	Thorny Bamboo	Bamboo	5.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Chimonobambusa purpurea		Bamboo	5.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis	Square Bamboo	Bamboo	3.0	5-9		LMH	S	M	2	0	3
Chimonobambusa szechuanensis		Bamboo	5.0	-		LMH	FSN	M	1	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.

Bambusa multiplex - (Lour.)Raeusch. ex Schult.&Schult.f.