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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Phyllostachys flexuosa is an evergreen Bamboo growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. 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). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Bambusa flexuosa.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Shoots Stem
Edible Uses:

Young shoots - cooked[25, 61, 105, 177]. A delicious flavour[266]. Slightly acrid raw, they are usually boiled in at least one change of water and added to salads etc[183]. The canes are about 10mm in diameter[K]. The shoots, which are generally 2- 4cm in diameter, though occasionally up to 7cm[266], are harvested in the spring when they are about 8cm above the ground, cutting them about 5cm below soil level.

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

Basketry Wood

The canes are not of the highest quality but can be used for plant supports etc. The medium quality wood is good for all standard bamboo uses for canes of this size[195]. The culms are used as handles of tools[266]. The splints made from the stems are used for weaving articles[266].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered position[200] and plenty of moisture in the growing season[1]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -17°c. According to another report the plant only suffers minor leaf damage at -22°c[195]. The plants dislike prolonged exposure to hard frosts[200]. 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]. A plant at Trebah gardens in Cornwall was flowering heavily in May 1995[K]. This is a good companion species to grow in a woodland because the plants are shallow rooted and do not compete with deep rooted trees[195]. The rootstock is running[25] but not aggressively so, especially in the cooler climate of Britain[200]. New growth appears from late March[25]. This species is closely related to P. angusta[266]. Plants need quite a lot of space because the outer culms spread out sideways and arch over[162].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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. 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. Divisions from the open ground do not transplant well, so will need careful treatment and nurturing under cover in pots until at least late spring[238]. Division is best carried out in wet weather and small divisions will establish better than large clumps[238]. Another report says that you can take large divisions from established clumps and transfer them straight to their permanent positions, misting or drenching them frequently until they are established[200]. Basal cane cuttings in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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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
Phyllostachys angusta	Stone Bamboo	Bamboo	5.0	7-10	M	LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys arcana	Half-Black Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys aurea	Golden Bamboo, Fishpole Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	6-11	F	LMH	S	M	5	0	3
Phyllostachys aureosulcata	Yellow-Groove Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	5-11		LMH	SN	M	4	0	2
Phyllostachys bambusoides	Madake, Japanese timber bamboo	Bamboo	8.0	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	1	3
Phyllostachys bissetii		Bamboo	5.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	0	0	2
Phyllostachys dulcis	Sweetshoot Bamboo	Bamboo	7.0	7-10	F	LMH	SN	M	4	0	2
Phyllostachys edulis	Moso-Chiku, Tortoise shell bamboo	Bamboo	8.0	6-10		LMH	S	M	4	1	4
Phyllostachys glauca		Bamboo	5.0	0-0		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	3
Phyllostachys iridescens		Bamboo	5.0	-		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys makinoi	Kei-Chiku, Makino bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	3	0	3
Phyllostachys meyeri	Meyer Bamboo	Bamboo	5.0	7-10	F	LMH	SN	M	0	0	3
Phyllostachys nidularia	Big-Node Bamboo, Broom bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	6-9		LMH	SN	M	5	0	4
Phyllostachys nigra	Black Bamboo, Kuro-Chiku	Bamboo	7.5	7-10	F	LMH	S	M	4	3	2
Phyllostachys nigra henonis	Ha-Chiku	Bamboo	6.0	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	3	2
Phyllostachys nigra punctata	Kurodake	Bamboo	6.0	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	3	2
Phyllostachys nuda	Nude Sheath Bamboo	Bamboo	5.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	4	0	2
Phyllostachys parvifolia		Bamboo	6.0	-		LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys praecox	Violet Bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	6-10		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	3
Phyllostachys propinqua		Bamboo	6.0	7-10		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys purpurata		Bamboo	0.0	-		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys rubromarginata	Reddish bamboo	Bamboo	8.0	7-10	F	LMH	SN	M	3	0	2
Phyllostachys sulphurea	Ougon-Kouchiku, Sulphur bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	6-9		LMH	SN	DM	0	0	1
Phyllostachys sulphurea viridis	Kou-Chiku	Bamboo	4.0	6-9		LMH	SN	DM	4	0	3
Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens	Greenwax golden bamboo	Bamboo	6.0	6-9		LMH	S	M	4	0	1
Phyllostachys vivax	Giant Timber Bamboo, Running giant bamboo	Bamboo	10.0	7-10	F	LMH	S	M	3	0	2

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.

Phyllostachys flexuosa - (Carrière.)Rivière.&C.Rivière.