Thursday, January 21, 2010

Bamboos in Sydney

For all you bamboo aficionados, here’s an expanded page with photos of the bamboo varieties I saw in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Sydney. The descriptions below are from the American Bamboo Society’s Species Source List.

BAMBUSA MULTIPLEX
(Hedge bamboo)
Height: 25 ft
Culm diameter: 1.5”
“Each node bears a large number of branches down to the culm base, making a dense hedge. Hardiest of the Bambusa, grown down to 12F by some in otherwise very favourable sites.”
Bambusa multiplex with bamboo fence

BAMBUSA MEMBRANACEA
Height: 70 ft
Culm diameter: 4”
“A strong growing bamboo with very straight culms forming loose clumps. Also known as Dendrocalamus membranaceus.”
Bambusa membranacea Bambusa membranacea Bambusa membranacea 

BAMBUSA OLDHAMII
(Giant timber bamboo)
Height: 55 ft
Culm diameter: 4”
“The most common giant tropical bamboo grown in the U.S. Culms straight and erect with relatively short branches. Leaves are rather wide.”
Bambusa oldhamiiBambusa oldhamii Bambusa oldhamii Bambusa oldhamii 

BAMBUS TEXTILIS ‘GRACILIS’
(Weaver’s bamboo)
Height: 30 ft
Culm diameter: 1.3”
“Tight clumps. An extremely handsome plant that arches gracefully. The thin-walled culms are used for weaving. Culm more slender than the typical B. textilis, nodding top, graceful foliage.”
Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis'
Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis'Bambusa textilis 'Gracilis' 

BAMBUSA VENTRICOSA
(Buddha’s belly bamboo)
Height: 55 ft
Culm diameter: 2.3”
“It becomes a dwarf with swollen internodes when grown in pots under dry conditions. In the ground it reverts to a giant with zigzag culms and branches.” (NOTE: The specimen below showed no dwarfism whatsoever!)
Bambusa ventricosa

BAMBUSA VULGARIS ‘VITTATA’
(Painted bamboo)
Height: 50 ft
Culm diameter: 4”
“Common throughout the tropical world. Open clump, culms spaced a foot or two apart. Culm cuttings root very easily. Used for banana props. Similar to the species, golden yellow culms with green vertical stripes that look like drip marks. A very popular ornamental. Potted culm cuttings do not always survive.”
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'
Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata'Bambusa vulgaris 'Vittata' 

DENDROCALAMUS LATIFLORUS ‘MEI-NUNG’
Height: 65 ft
Culm diameter: 8”
“From southern China. The large, dark green leaves are 10 to 16 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. Light green culms striped with dark green.”
Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung'
Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung' Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung' Dendrocalamus latiflorus 'Mei-nung'

GIGANTOCHLOA ALBOCILIATA
Height: 30 ft
Culm diameter: 2”
“Tight clump. It has long (up to an inch) culm leaf ligules, narrow leaves. Light gray-green culms, white stripes.”
Gigantochloa albociliata

GIGANTOCHLOA ATROVIOLACEA
(Tropical black bamboo)
Height: 50 ft
Culm diameter: 3.5”
“From Java and Sumatra. Brown to black culms striped faint green. Dark green leaves. Sheath blades reflexed.”
Gigantochloa atroviolacea
Gigantochloa atroviolacea Gigantochloa atroviolacea Gigantochloa atroviolacea

PHYLLOSTACHYS NIGRA
(Black bamboo)
Height: 30 ft
Culm diameter: 2”
“Culms turn jet black after the first 6 months to one year. Popular because of its graceful habit and the sharp accent of its culm color. Said to grow larger in northern climates.”
Phyllostachys nigra

PLEIOBLASTUS VARIEGATUS
Labeled as such. Not clear which pleioblastus species it actually is. Any guesses?
UPDATE: Brad Salmon of Needmore Bamboo Co. told me that this variety is now called Pleioblastus fortunei. Thank you, Brad!
Pleioblastus-variegata-at-Royal-Botanic-Gardens-Syndey-091227_sm

THYRSOSTACHYS SIAMENSIS
(Monastery bamboo)
Height: 40 ft
Culm diameter: 3”
“One of the most graceful bamboos known. Culm walls very thick, almost solid. Sheath persistent. In monasteries in Thailand.”
 Thyrsostachys siamensisThyrsostachys siamensis  Thyrsostachys siamensis

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