Bamboo (P. Baiittuaoides), the Fish-Pole Bamboo (P

Home , Arundinaria, Dendrocalamus strictus, List of bamboo species, Sasa (plant), Semiarundinaria fastuosa

CO-OPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK IN / AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXTENSION SERVICE

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE FARM ADVISOR WORK AND AGRICULTURE CLUB WORK

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK CO-OPERATING

Office of the Director College of Agriculture Berkeley 4, California

B/lMBOO gULTDBE IN CALIFOBNIA

H. M. Butterfield*

EISTOBI OF THE BAJ-ffiOO IN CALIFORNIA

Bamhoo culture in California goes "back more than seventy-five years. Stephen Nolan, of Oakland, listed the Metake hambco (Pseudosaaa japonlca) in his 187I cata¬ log. As early as l882, the College of Agriculture of the University of California undertook to send two plants each of the spathe-flowered haiiiboo (Arixndinaria a path- iflora, then known as Thainnocalamua spathiflorua) to residents of the state who requested them. In I889, the College also started to distribute the Metake bamboo. In 1887, E. H. Berger, of San Francisco, who specialized in Japanese plants, offered the giant bamboo of Japan (possibly Semiarundinarla fastuosa) in his catalog. In their 189^ catalog, the California Nui'sery Company, of Niles, listed the Ningala bamboo (Arundlna,rla falcata), Simon's bamboo (Pleioblaatus s^llioni), the golden- haired bamboo (Sasa ^uricoma), the Metake bamboo, and Phyllostachys violescena. About 19QO and later, the Southern California Acclimatizing Association, through the efforts of Dr..Fenzi (Dr. Franceschi) and Peter Reidel, offered the Ningala bamboo, the Hooker bamboo (Arundinaria hookeriana), Simon's bamboo, the common giant or feathery bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris), the giant bamboo (Dendrocalamua lat- Iflorus), also known as the Formosa bamboo or black bamboo, the mle bamboo (S* gtrictus), the golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea), the black-Joint bamboo (p. niger), the giant timber bamboo (P. baiitTuaoides), the fish-pole bamboo (P. Vi'ridi-gla.uce3cens), and the Metake bamboo. These sources probably account for many of the older plantings of bamboo in California, although Charles Abrahams, of San Francisco, supplied the giant timber bamboo for the planting near the northern limits of Napa.

Good examples of the giant timber bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides) are now found at Chico and in a grove near Bakersfield. Other plantings occur near Yountville and on a farm just north of Napa.

BAMBOO SPECIES OF INTEREST IN CALIFORNIA

Bamboos are true grasses, which are characterized by hollow, rarely solid, stems closed at the joints or nodes. The botany of bamboos is still somewhat confused. The following tabulation gives brief descriptions of the species reported in California, together with their ccmon synonyms.

It my be mentioned that Arundo donax, the giant reed or bamboo reed, is often referred to as a "bamboo/' It is also a member of the grass family, but is not a true bamboo, although it does resemble bamboo. It has been grown in California since the early Spanish period and is mentioned because of its horticultural importance. This giant reed is used for thatching roofs, for fences, and more recently for windbreak purposes. A variegated form is available at nurseries.

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Description

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Description

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SOUECSS OF BAMBOO PIAWTS

Nurserymen list only a few kinds of bamTDOos as ornamentals^ since they have found only a limited demand for them. Species which do not creep "badly and do not grow too tall will probably continue to be planted in California gardens, because they are suitable and attractive for use as screens or as specimen plants. Species offered for sale by California nurserymen at the present time include: Bambusa nana, Dendrocalamus latiflorus, Phyllostachya aurea, P. bambusoides, P. nevini, and Semiarundinaria fastuosa.

The Birreau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture, through its Division of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction, sometime ago introduced several species of bamboos, including Phyllostachys flexuosa, P. niger, P. viridi- glaucescens. Pieloblastus pimiilua, Sasa chrysantha, and Semiarundinaria fastuosa. Baijiboo plants are not available from this federal source at present, however.

USDS OF BAMBOO

The primary use of bamboo in California has been for ornamental garden pur¬ poses. No important use has ever materialized for building purposes, although where there has been a local supply of Phyllostachys bambusoides, it has been used for making domestic furniture and outdoor summer houses.

Growers who have giant bamboo may sell some for use in rolling carpets, shades, or screens. It has also been used for fencing purposes. Most of the old plantings remain unharvested, however, since no extensive demand has developed.

Phyllostachys nevini, the stake bamboo, might be grown commercially, since bamboo garden stakes are imported in considerable quantity*

Fish poles made from the more common kinds of bamboo, such as Phyllostachys and viridi-glaucescens Dendrocalamus strictus, which has almost solid culms, are being sold, but are less popular and bring a lower price than imported fish poles made from the Calcutta bamboo (Bambusa tulda). Calcutta bamboo tolerates only a few degrees of frost. It has not been grown in California, and would probably not survive under normal climatic conditions even in the coastal area of southern Cali¬ fornia.

CULTURE OF BAMBOO

Location* All bamboo species subject to frost injury should be located in well-protected situations. Covering the base of the clump in winter may help protect against frost damage. Adequate space must be provided for the growth of the differ¬ ent types of bamboo: large ones need plenty of room, and the small ones need ade¬ quate moisture and sunlight. Some bamboos tolerate short periods of drouth, but they will not thrive without considerable soil moisture most of the time. The running types of bamboo have become a nuisance on peat lands and in some gardens and must be confined if they are not to become pests. Cutting the outer culms away from time to time helps to limit the clumps to the desired space.

Soi^. Bamboos thrive best in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Poor drainage may lead to root rot, which is usually caused by water-mold fungi. On the other hand, plants may be lost the first season from insufficient soil moisture, so careful irri¬ gation until they become established is necessary.

Fertilizers. Where the soil is not naturally fertile, well-rotted manure should be applied. Commercial fertilizers such as cottonseed meal, bone meal, or fish meal may be applied in the spring before new sprouts appear. Ammonium sulfate 7.

applied In light dressings during the growing season helps improve the color of the leaves. Mulches of leaves or bulky manure should help avoid the need for culti¬ vation.

EROPAGATION OF BAMBOO

Propagation of bamboo is usually by means of careful division of the parent plants in the late fall during the dormant period before new shoots start to push out in the spring. Ihe parent clump should be divided so that each piece will be a good rhizome with one or more eyes, a supply of roots, and, where feasible, a sma-11 portion of the culm or stem. With proper care, the divided plants should make a good growth the first year. Where the bamboo mite is troublesome, the rhizomes may be given the hot-water treatment as discussed under the section on pests and diseases.

Bamboo seed may be planted when it is available. Most bamboos are extremely slow in flowering and producing seed, however, and many die after flowering. Some species take from JO to JO years to flower.

There are rigid federal quarantine restrictions against the importation of either bamboo plants or seeds, because bamboos are attacked by certain serious pests and diseases. Special permits to import seed or plants of bamboo are required.

BAMBOO PSSTS AIID DISEASES '

The insects and diseases which may appear on bamboo in California are dis¬ cussed briefly below.

Bamboo mites. The bamboo mite (Stigmaeopsis celarius) has been reported on bamboo in California. It may injure the foliage of certain species. Bamboo mites are difficult to reach with sprays. For perhaps 8 to 10 months of the year, the mites hide beneath the leaf sheathe and do not appear on the stems near the ground or on parts of the plant below the ground. About May or June, the mites migrate to the roots. '

To control this mite, the bamboo clumps should be given a hot water treatment when they are lifted for propagation purposes during the dormant period in the late fall. The clumps should be immersed for 10 minutes in water heated to 122*^ F or for JO minutes in water heated to 110^ F, which may be a safer temperature for tender species of bamboo. The clumps should then be heeled-in in sterilized sand, which has been heated previously to 16?^ F for 60 minutes and then allowed to cool. The climips may then be replanted or may be left in this sand until planting time in the spring. This treatment should kill all overwintering bamboo mites that might other¬ wise be carried over to the new plantings.

The bamboo sheath mite (Tarsonemus bambusarlum) responds to similar control measures.

Bamboo scales, mealybugs, and aphids. Simple control measures should be effective in preventing serious injury from the bamboo scale (Asterolecanium bambusae), the cottony bamboo scale (Antonina crawi), the long-tailed mealybug (Paeudococcus longispinua), bamboo aphids (Hyzocallls arundicolens and M. arundinariae), and similar peats. The refined oil-emulsion sprays, used at the rate of 2-2 ounces of spray material to 1 gallon of water, are usually effective for their control when applied under strong pressure. 8.

Borers* BamBoo poles and stakes are often subject to severe infestation by borers (powder-post beetles)^ unless they are fumigated from time to time. Bamboo is usually fumigated before it is shipped and again upon arrival at its destination. It should not be left in storage for any great length of time without fumigation. Carbon disulfide or DDT preparations may be used as fumigants. It must be remembered that carbon disulfide is very inflammable and must be used with caution.

Bust. Bamboo rust (Puccinia melanocephala) occurs in some parts of the United States, but has not yet been reported in California. Every effort should be made to keep it out of this state. The burning of all bamboo parts above ground in the spring is a precautionary measure.

Supplementary Beferenoes

Fairchlld, D. G. 1903• Japanese bamboos and their introduction into America, pages). United States IX9partment of Agi'iculture, Bureau of Plant Industry Bulletin, BPI United States Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. (Out of Print).

Galloway, B. T. ^925* Bamboos: their culture and uses in the United States, {hk pages). United States Department of Agriculture Department Bulletin, DB I329. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. (Out of Print).

1928. Bamboos and bamboo culture. (8 pages). United States Department of Agriculture Leaflet, L I8. United States Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D. C. (Out of Print). CO-OPERATIVE EXTENSION WORK

AGRICULTURE AND HOME ECONOMICS

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA EXTENSION SERVICE

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE FARM ADVISOR WORK AND AGRICULTURE CLUB WORK

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HOME DEMONSTRATION WORK CO-OPERATING

Office of the Director College of Agriculture Berkeley 4, California

February 19^6

BAMBOO CULTUEE IN CALIFOBNIA

H. M. Butterfield*

History of the Bamboo In California> The culture of bamboo In California goes back many years. Stephen Nolan of Oakland listed Sasa Jappnica (Bambusa .laponlca) In his 1871 catalog. As early as l882 and I883 the College of Agriculture of the University of California undertook to distribute bamboo plants to residents of the state, with two plants In each lot. Thamnocalamus spathlflorus, now known as Arundlnarla spathlflora, was the species listed at that time. In I889 the bamboo then listed as Metake (Sasa .laponlca) was also added for distribution. H. H. Berger of San Francisco, who specialized In Japanese plants, offered the giant bamboo of Japan In his catalog of I887. The California Nursery Company of Nlles In their 189^ catalog listed Arundlnarla falcata, A. Slmonl, Phyllostachys vlolescens, Sasa aurlcoma and Sasa .laponlca (Bambusa Metake). The Southern California Acclimatizing Association about 1900 and later, through the efforts of Dr. Fenzl (Dr. F. Franceshl) and Peter Beldel, offered Arundlnarla falcata (Nlgala bamboo), A. Hookerlana (Hooker bamboo), A. Slmonl (Simon's bamboo), Bambusa vulgaris (feathery bamboo), Dendro- calamus latlflorus (giant bamboo), Dendrocalamus strIctus (male bamboo), Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo), Phyllostachys nigra (black-joint bamboo), Phyllostachys reticulata (P. qulllol), or giant timber bamboo, Phyllostachys vlrldl-glaucescens (fish-pole bamboo), and Sasa japonlca (Arundlnarla japonlca) or Metake bamboo. The above-mentioned sources will likely account for many of the older plantings of bamboo. Charles Abrahams of San Francisco supplied the giant timber bamboo (Phyllostachys reticulata) for the planting near the northern limits of Napa.

Uses of Bamboo. The primary use of bamboo In California has been for ornamental purposes. Any Important use for building purposes has never materialized. Growers who have surplus giant bamboo may sell some for use In rolling carpets and some bamboo has been used In making fences but no extensive demand has been reported. Most of the giant bamboo grown In old plantings remains unharvested.

Good examples of the Phyllostachys reticulata (_P. bambusoldes). are to be found at Chlco and In the grove formerly owned by S. Tevls near Bakersfleld and now owned by the Stockdale Country Club. Other plantings occur at the Game Farm near Yountville and at the home of Mrs. Bertha Beard Just north of Pueblo Avenue on Yajome Street above Napa.

Niirserymen have found only a limited demand for bamboos as ornamentals. This accounts for the fact that only a few kinds are listed at the present time. Those species which do not creep badly and do not grow too tall, such as Bambusa nana,

* Specialist In Agricultural Extension - 2 - will likely continue to "be planted in California gardens. They are suitable for screens or for specimen pD.ants. Perhaps Phyllostachys Nevinii might "be grown in gardens for garden stakes, since hamhoo stakes are imported in considerable quantity from Japan and retail for 1.^ to 20 cents per dozen for the 5-ft. length (stained or unstained) and on up to about $3'50 per hundred for the unstained 8 ft. canes. Wholesale prices would, of course, be much lower and competition with the Japanese product might be unprofitable.

Fishing poles normally retail for 25 cents and up for the more common kinds of bamboo, such as Phyllostachys viridi-glauc esc ens. Poles of Calcutta bamboo (Bambusa Tulda) imported into this country bring a higher price. Dendrocalamus Strictus has almost solid culms so might serve well for fishing poles, although less desirable than Bambusa Tulda for this purpose.

Culture. Bamboos thrive best in rich, moist, well-drained soil. Some will tolerate short periods of drouth but will not thrive without considerable soil mois¬ ture. Where the soil is not naturally fertile, well-rotted manure should be applied. Commercial fertilizers such as cottonseed meal, bone meal or fish meal may be applied in the spring before sprouts appear. Ammonium sulfate in light applications during the growing season helps improve the color of the leaves. Mulches of leaves or bulky manure may be applied and should help avoid the need for cultivation.

Species and varieties with running rootstocks must be confined if they are not to become pests. In peat lands and in some gardens these running types have become a nuisance. Cutting the outer culms from time to time will help limit the clump to the desired space but this involves much work.

All bamboo species subject to frost injury should be located in a well-protected part of the garden or farm. Covering the base of the clump in winter may help protect against frost damage.

Propagation is usually by means of careful division of the rhizomes before new shoots start in the spring. Seed can be used when available and may be the only practicable way to start some species not yet introduced into California. The general introduction of both living bamboos and bamboo seeds from foreign countries is banned by federal quarantine regulations; special permits for seed importation would be re¬ quired.

Pests and Diseases. Bamboos are attacked by certain serious pests and diseases and this accounts for the rigid quarantine against the importation of either bamboo plants or seeds. The insects and diseases which may appear in California are briefly discussed below.

The bamboo mite (Stigmaecpsis celarius) has been reported on bamboos in California and ma^'^ injure the foliage of certain species. If this pest should appear in numbers sufficient to Justify control measures then the hot-water treatment is suggested. The mites are hard to reach with sprays because they hide beneath the leaf sheaths for per¬ haps 8 to 10 months of the year and during that time are not found on the stems near the ground or on parts of the plant below ground. Later they migrate to the roots. When lifting rhizomes in the late fall for propagation, at which time the plants are dormant, it is recommended that the clumps be immersed for 10 minutes in water raised to 122^ F. After this treatment heel-in the clumps in cool sand which has been pre¬ viously heated to 167° F for an hour. TJie clumps miay be left in this sterilized sand until planting time in the spring. Such treatment should be effective in killing all overwintering mites that might be carried over to the new planting. The bamboo sheath mite (Thrsonemus bambusarium) also responds to similar control measures. - 3 -

Other pests of the hamhoo include the "bamboo scale (Asterolecanlum bambusae), the cottony bamboo scale (Antonina crawl), the long-tailed mealybug (Pseudococcus longispinus) and the bamboo aphis (Myzocallis arundicolens and ^ arimdinariae). Perhaps still other insect pests may appear in some localities but simple control measures will likely be effective in preventing serious injury* Aside from bamboo mites^ refined oil emulsion sprays will usually prove reasonably effective for con¬ trol if applied under strong pressure.

Most bamboo poles and stakes are subject to severe infestation with borers (powder post beetle) unless fumigated from time to time. Usually bamboo is fumigated before being imported and again after it arrives. Bamboo left any great length of time in storage without fumigation may become infested. Carbon disulfide or other fumigant can be used for the purpose. Caution should be exercised since carbon di¬ sulfide is very inflammable.

Bamboo rust (Puccinia melanocephala) is known to occur in the United States but is probably not present in California. The burning of all parts above ground in the spring may help hold the rust in check. Efforts should be made to keep the rust out of California.

Poor drainage may lead to root rot, which is usually caused by a group of fungi known as water molds. If bamboos are planted in loose, well-drained soil such molds should never cause serious loss. On the other hand plants may be lost the first sea¬ son from insufficient soil moisture so careful irrigation until the plants become es¬ tablished will be desirable.

Sources of Bamboo Plants. Only a few species of bamboo are offered for sale by California nurserymen at the present time. These include: Arundinaria fastuosa (Bambusa fastuosa); Bambusa nana: Dendrocalamus latiflorus; Phyllostachys aurea (golden bamboo); Phyllostachys reticulata (P. bambusoides, P. quilioi): P. reticulata var. marliacea (P. marliacea) and P. Nevinii.

The Bureau of Plant Industry through the Division of Foreign Seed and Plant In¬ troduction has supplied cooperatora with several species of bamboos, among which they list Arimdinaria fastuosa (as Semlarundinaria fastuosa), Phyllostachys flexuosa, £• var. henonis, P. virdi-glaucescens, Sasa auricoma, Sasa chrysantha, Sasa pumila (PleioblastuB pumilus), and Sasa Pygmaea.

Descriptive List of Bamboo Species Planted in California

The botany of bamboos is still somewhat confused. Following is a brief descrip¬ tion of the species reported in California, with their common synonyms.

Arundinaria falcata (Bambusa falcata): Ningala bamboo. Has been grown in California in past years. Grows to 20 feet; stems yellow-green; leaves to 6 inches • and 1/2 inch wide. A climip bamboo that might be expected to do well. Sheds leaves in winter but needs a mild climate. From the Himalayas.

Arundinaria fastuosa (Bambusa fastuosa, Semiarundinaria fastuosa): Naihira bamboo. A large bamboo to ^0 feet; stems hollow, marked with purplish brown. Leaves to 7 inches long and 1 inch wide. Handsome. Hardy. Punning habit. Needs 12 to 15 feet space and frequent watering entire first season. From Japan. k.

Arimdlnarla Hookerlana; Hooker "bamboo. Grows to 30 feet. Loaves 6 inches long and 3/k inch wide. Has been listed at Santa Barbara and may "be found in old gardens there. From the Himalayas.

Arundinaria spathiflorai Spathe-flowered hamhoo. Height 10 to 20 feet. Stems yellowish or nearly "brown, slender, much branched; sheds leaves in winter. Leaves 2 to 3 inchos long and l/k inch wide. Hardy. From Himalayas.

Arundinaria Simoni (Eambusa Simoni); Simon's bam"boo. Grows to 23 feet. Leaves to 1 foot long and 1 inch wide, often striped with white. From China and Japan. The variety striata has leaves striped white. This species has been grown and sold at Santa Barbara in past years.

Arundinaria Simoni var. Chino; Short, 2^ to 3 feet, used some as ground cover. Not very hardy. This plant, listed as Pleiobastus Chino, is being distribut¬ ed to cooperators by the Bureau of Plant Industry. It is of questionable value in California. From Japan.

Bambusa nana; Hedge bamboo. Occasionally listed by California nurserymen. Grows to a height of 10 feet; leaves about 3 inches long. Not very hardy. From India.

Bambusa Tulda: Calcutta fish-rod bamboo. Calcutta bamboo poles are imported into California in considerable numbers but there is little evidence to show that this species will grow well in this state. In Florida the plant has been killed to the ground in cold winters. Trials of the Calcutta bamboo should be limited to coastal areas with a long growing season and without killing frosts in winter. The stems sometimes reach a height of 70 feet in India where it is cultivated. Since neither seeds nor are available in plants California, so far as known, growers wish¬ ing to experiment would probably have to import seeds from India under special per¬ mit and might expect some delay while the seeds were in quarantine. Possibly plants could be found in Florida where this species has been tested in a limited way. Some of the larger nurseries in California would be in the best position to secure plants for sale within the state. As an ornamental, this species is reported to be highly desirable. From India.

Bambusa vulgaris (Bambusa Thouarsii): Common giant bamboo. Grows to 50 feet with yellow, longitudinally-banded stems, at first naked except for striking sheaths; culms 2 to 4 inches in diameter; often zigzag or bent near the ground. Leaves 6 to 8 inches long, 3/4 to 4 inches wide. Phizomes not running. Species not very hardy against cold. Has been listed at Santa Barbara in past years and will probably be found in the older gardens of that area. From Java.

Dendrocalamus latiflorus: Giant bamboo, Formosa bamboo, black bamboo. Tall, up to 60 feet. Leaves 10 inches long and 2 inches wide, dark in color. Stands con¬ siderable frost. Grows in clumps. Eequires little room. Outer slender stems hide base of larger culms. From India and Cochin China,

Dendrocalamus strictus: Male bamboo. Grows to a height of 20 to 50 feet. Stems gradually become yellowish, almost solid, 1 to 3 inches in diameter. Leaves to 1 foot long and 1^ inches wide. Nodes are swollen. Internodes 10 to Branches 15 inches. long and slender. Has been grown at Santa Barbara. used Probably one of those occasionally for fish poles. From India. 5.

Phyllostachys aui^ea (Bambuaa aurea); Golden "bamboo. To stems 15 feet in height, yellow, leaves to 5 inches long and 5/^ inch wide. near Close-jointed, especially base, and slender• Often used as a quick-growing screen. Eunning type. From China and Japan.

Phyllostachys pubescens (P. edulis); Hairy sheath edible to bamboo. Stems 50 feet. Hard to establish but once established increases rapidly. Hardy against ordinary frosts. Stems reach a diameter of ^ to 6 inches. edible Mostly prized for the young shoots. Has been sold in California in past years as a potted plant, but no commercial source known to exist. Possibly available in Florida. China. Hative to

Phyllostachys flexuosa (Eambusa flexuosa): Bending bamboo. Grows to I8 feet, stems becoming nearly black. Leaves to k inches long and l/2 inch wide. Plants should bo set about 6 to 8 feet apart. Being distributed from the Plant Gardens at Introduction Chico. Comes originally from China.

Phyllostachys Nevinii; Stake and forage-crop bamboo. This species is free from the bamboo mite and" is fairly apparently able to resist rust whereas reticulata is Phyllostachys susceptible to both troubles. As grown in this country the plants reach a height of 8 to 15 feet, stems straight, tough, hard and golden-brown flexible, of a color, markedly flattened between the inches nodes, internodes about 6 to 10 long, nodes or Joints prominent. The plants are vigorous growers and do well in a variety of soils. Has running habit. Hardy. Promising for stakes. From China. producing garden

Phyllostachys nigra (P. puberula var. nigra, Bjambusa bamboo. nigra): Black-joint This species grows to 25 feet, stems becoming black, nodes with lower white. Leaves to ^ inches edge long and 1/2 inch wide. Plant has 'Has been running rootstocks. grown at Santa Barbara in past years. P. nigra var. henonis has been by the Bureau of grown Plant Industry and distributed to cooperators in recent years. This variety grows to 50 feet and the canes are about inches in diameter. from Japan. 3i Imported

Phyllostachys reticulata (P. bambusoides, P. quilioi); Giant to timber bamboo. Perhaps 20 40 feet in California but known to reach a height of 70 feet in the Orient. Stems bright green, stem sheath mottled purple. Leaves to and 1 inch 6 inches long wide; finally change to yellow when mature. under Pootstocks spread rapidly favorable soil and climatic conditions. Perhaps the most common of the bamboos growing in California and large available at nurseries. From China. The Marliaceae. or variety v/rinkled bamboo, differs from the stems and typical species by having wrinkled dark-green stem sheaths. Listed by California nurserymen. Phyllostachys viridi-glaucescens; Fish-pole bamboo. Has grown in California and occasionally been is also grown the United and by States Bureau of Plant included in their list for Industry cooperators. The canes feet and are grow to a height of about 25 yellowish green. Pootstocks have a No species could be running habit. doubt this grown for fishing poles where China. climatic conditions are mild. From

Sasa auricoma (Arundinaria variegata var. viridi striata, Bambusa aurea): - Fortunei Golden-haired bamboo. Used as a ground cover. Fairly striped green and yellow. hardy. Leaves Being distributed by the Bureau of operators. Plant Industry to co- Might become a weed post because of running rootstocks. From Japan. SQ'QQ' chrysantha (Arundinaria chrysantha, Bambusa bamboo. Grows to 6 Chrysantha); Golden-flowered feet. Leaves to 5 inches ed with yellow. long and 5/^ inch wide, often Hardy, and variegat¬ running habit by some considered a little ornamental value. good ground cover. Of Grown at Chico Plant Introduction Gardens. From Japan. Sasa distlcha; Two-ranked iDamboo, Sometimes confused with Bamhusa nana hut is not so tall, growing to only about 2-| feet and the leaves are 2^ inches long. Several other dwarf bamboos of garden merit may appear in collections but are not commonly listed by leading California nurserymen. From Japan.

Sasa Japonica (Arundinaria Metake, A, .^aponica, Bambusa Me take, Pseudosasa Japonica); Metake bamboo. This species has been grown many times in California during past years, although it is not being listed by most nurserymen at the present time. Grows to a height of 15 feet. Leaves to 10 inches long and 1-|- inches wide. Hardy and handsome. Suitable for city gardens. Has running rootstocks. Being grown at the Plant Introduction Gardens at Chico and available for distribution from that source to cooperators accepted by the Bureau of Plant Industry. From Japan.

Sasa pumila (Pleioblastus pumilus): Dwarf bamboo. A grasslike bamboo which becomes very unruly and a bad weed in some gardens. Gardeners should investigate carefully before planting any of the creeping grasslike species. At best they are not very ornamental. From Japan.

Sasa pygmae; Carpet bamboo. Hardy running type to 2 feet. Leaves to 5 inches long. Might become a weed pest. Being distributed to cooperators by Bureau of Plant Industry. Forms a dense carpet. From Japan.

Arundo Donax: Giant reed, bamboo reed. A member of the grass family and often referred to locally as a bamboo. It has been grown in California since the early Spanish period, being used for thatching roofs and for fences. In recent years it has been planted extensively as a windbreak to hold blow sand in check. While not a bamboo, it does resemble a bamboo and is mentioned here because of its horticultural importance. A variegated form is also available at nurseries. Table 1 summarizes the important characteristics of the bamboos described above. B * 1 Phy] Sasa Sasa Sasa Sasa Sasa Sasa Ply/l 1 or ambus Hardy s Phyl1o Bambusa a Bambusa 2 lost - pygmae pimila nana Arundinaria Scientific s.chy Arundinaria Arundinaria Arundinaria Arundinaria Arundinaria f - - iaponica disticha auriccma tachys s ostachys Tulda Phyllostachys Phyllostachys Ply/llostachys Phyllostachys Phyllosta-chys Ph^^llostachys Bendrocalamus Bendrocalamus - — nein© chrrsantha ale degrees -- -- Marl vulgaris- Simoni at Simoni - a of i nigra nigra aurea - tolerates ------viridi- ace henonis - Iêvinii - fastnosa - - - - var. - - ae var. flexuosa- pubescens strictus— - - - - Hcokerlana- - - - spathiflora frost -- -- - reticulata reticulata ------latiflorus------g'laucescens ------var. - - ~ - - - - - Oh:'no ------S ------Fe Sp Go im temperature 1 Gol at d Male Bwarf en Giant StaJoe Fairy Giant he Hedge onJ down Golden s Hooker CcBTimon Carpet Metake - B1ack-j Bending ry Bingala fl. den-h Calcutta b Ilarihira to Yvrinlrled athe-f1 Two-rariked a.i Fish-pole oint bamboo name 15 ewe re bamboo barub bamboo amb owe timber b bamboo bamboo d bamboo bamboo re sheath; bamboo oo oo re bamboo ^bamboo d ■ bamboo d b bamboo F; bsm.bco amb bamboo Baraboo bamboo b bamboo b amb bamboo oo ar-ibo oo edible Fairly o amboo Species bamboo of hardy TABLE - Interest 1 H Net Not Hot Not Hot Hot Not Not in tolerates ardy Hardy Hardy Hardy Hardy Fairl^r Fairly Hardy Hardy Fairly Fairly Karcy Fairly Fairly Fairly Hard^/ Hardy Hardy very veiyr very hardy êry very men/ Hardiness* temperature harrH- hardy hardy hardy harch/ hardy hardy hardy hardy hardy lârdy hardy hardy- hardy California 40 20 2i 10 dor/n 25 70 50 25 IB - 15 - 60 50 70 10 - 25 - 50 40 "~20 2 12 15 About 5 height, to 3-6 20 MaximiTm 2-|- 2-3 8-15 50" 50 ft

0 25^F; 0 .Fish Timb Fish Fish irs«> Not e Timbe Ground Ground Groimd Ground r; ; Stakes Edible r; Timber; hardy Ornamental poles; rnamental o Ornamental Ornamenta.1 o Ornamental Ornam.ental poles; o poles; Ornamental Ornamental Ornamental Omainental mamental; Ornamental - cover cover Ornamental; cover cover; mam rnam t e mame sprouts Questionable nt imbe ground al ntal ontal ornamental valu4> r tolerates covor ornamental ornamental ornamental ornamental only Heferenoes

Brown, W, lU and A. Fletv^hei rhilippino Tpginboos. 1918. 22 p. P. T. Dept. A?;r. ?lat. Resources, Bur. Forastry Bui. 15.

DairehieId, David 0.

Japaneset oariiboos an/*^ iheir Int^rodrction inio -^iTioricr. 1113. oo .n. 1^. S. Deph. Plant industry Bui. 40.

Galloway, B. T. Bamboos: tlieir culture and uses in the United States. 192 5. 44 o. and bibliog-

^ ^ ^ , 0.A., Dept. 3u1. 1329.

Bamboos and bamboo ciil'buro. IT.3.D..A.. Leaflet IB L. Bp. 5/^.

Gamblo, J. S. The Immbaseae of British India 1S9C. vVol. 7, 144 p. Ann. Royal Bot. Garden, Calciibta,.

he bring, Henry . .''he plant world of- }.• lorida.. 1933. (See pagOvS 237 to 252). The Macviillan Co., Franc i s c o.

Satow, 11. "M. The cultivation of bamboos in Japa.n. 1896. Vol. 27, I't, 3, 127 p. Trans. ' As"iatic Soo. Japaai.

Also see general roi-erencas ?n ?iorticu]ture suet as "Hortus" by L. Ii, Boiley and Ethel Zoe Bailey, and "Ranual of Cultivated Trees and Shruos," by Alfred Rehder. Both are published by the Maomillon Company, San Francisco.