Phyllostachys aureosulcata

Phyllostachys aureosulcata, the yellow groove bamboo, is a species of bamboo native to the Zhejiang Province of China. It is a running bamboo with a distinctive yellow stripe in the culm groove (or sulcus) that is often grown as an ornamental.

Description

A bamboo. It grows 7-9 m tall. The stems are 4 cm across. It is a running plant. The internodes are 40 cm long. There are 2 or 3 leaves on the last branch.

Edible Uses

The young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked and have very little bitterness even when consumed raw. Canes grown in Britain are around 25mm in diameter, though they can reach up to 4cm. Shoots are harvested in spring when about 8cm above ground, cut approximately 5cm below soil level. Young culms are green with yellow grooves.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are cooked as a vegetable.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant. It can tolerate cold temperatures.

Where It Grows

Africa, Asia, Australia, China, Niger, Slovenia, USA, West Africa,

Cultivation

Requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered position. One report says that this is a very hardy plant, withstanding temperatures down to about -20°c, whilst another says that it dislikes prolonged exposure to hard frosts. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. 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. 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. The rootstock is running but only slightly so in the cooler climate of Britain. In warmer climates (e.g. US South West) it can spread indefinitely if not confined with an underground barrier. The bottoms of some culms have large kinks in them, this limits their use for timber etc but makes them more ornamental. Heat zone: 12-3.

Propagation

Surface sow fresh seed in a greenhouse at around 20°C, keeping the compost consistently moist. Germination is usually fairly quick with good-quality seed, though it may take 3–6 months. Grow seedlings in light shade under glass until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Divide clumps in spring as new growth begins — divisions from open ground transplant poorly and should be potted and kept under cover until at least late spring. Carry out division during wet weather; small divisions establish more reliably than large clumps. Alternatively, large divisions can be lifted and moved directly to their permanent positions if misted or drenched frequently until established. Basal cane cuttings can also be taken in spring.

Other Uses

The canes, while not the finest quality, make good plant supports. The plant also works well as a screening plant.

References (9)

• Arora, R. K., 2014, Diversity in Underutilized Plant Species - An Asia-Pacific Perspective. Bioversity International. p 43
• Bernholt, H. et al, 2009, Plant species richness and diversity in urban and peri-urban gardens of Niamey, Niger. Agroforestry Systems 77:159-179
• Crawford, M., 2012, How to grow Perennial Vegetables. Green Books. p 75
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 46
• http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants

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