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Pleioblastus variegatus - (Siebold. ex Miq.)Makino.

Common Name Dwarf White-Striped Bamboo, Chigo Zasa, Dwarf White Stripe Bamboo
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in the wild[200].
Range E. Asia - Japan.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Pleioblastus variegatus Dwarf White-Striped Bamboo, Chigo Zasa, Dwarf White Stripe Bamboo


Pleioblastus variegatus Dwarf White-Striped Bamboo, Chigo Zasa, Dwarf White Stripe Bamboo

 

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Summary

Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Pleioblastus variegatus is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 2 m (6ft) 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.
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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Arundinaria variegata. Sasa pygmaea.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Ground Cover;

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

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Other Uses

A useful ground cover plant in the right situation[195]

Special Uses

Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Ground cover, Specimen. Succeeds in most soils[25] but prefers a good loamy soil in a sheltered position in semi-shade[1]. Requires deep shade[25] and a position sheltered from cold northerly and easterly winds[11]. Dislikes drought[1]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c. The leaf margins wither in winter to give a variegated effect. An aggressive spreading plant and very difficult to eradicate[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]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, Naturalizing.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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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 should be 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 or cold frame until they are large enough to plant out, which could be a number of years. The plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division in spring as new growth commences. 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].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Japan (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 :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Pleioblastus gramineus Bamboo3.0 6-9  LMHSM201
Pleioblastus hindsiiHinds' cane-bambooBamboo3.5 6-9 MLMHFSM303
Pleioblastus humilis Bamboo2.0 6-9  LMHSM003
Pleioblastus humilis pumilus Bamboo1.0 6-9  LMHSM003
Pleioblastus intermedius Bamboo3.0 -  LMHSM002
Pleioblastus juxianensis Bamboo2.0 -  LMHSM002
Pleioblastus maculatus Bamboo4.0 6-9  LMHSM003
Pleioblastus pygmaeusDwarf Fern-Leaf Bamboo, Pigmy BambooBamboo0.3 7-10 FLMHSNM003
Pleioblastus pygmaeus distichusPigmy Bamboo, Dwarf Fern Leaf BambooBamboo0.8 7-10 FLMHSNM003
Pleioblastus simoniiMedake, Simon bambooBamboo4.5 5-9 FLMHSNM304

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

(Siebold. ex Miq.)Makino.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

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

Readers comment

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Subject : Pleioblastus variegatus  
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