Phyllostachys nigra f. boryana

(Mitford) Makino

Unmon-chiku, Bory bamboo, Snake-skin bamboo

Poaceae Edible: Shoots 1,672 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

iNaturalist· cc-by

Summary

Phyllostachys nigra, commonly known as black bamboo or purple bamboo (Chinese: 紫竹), is a species of bamboo, native to Hunan Province of China, and is widely cultivated elsewhere. Growing up to 35 feet tall by 2 inches wide, it forms clumps of slender arching canes which turn black after two or three seasons. The abundant lance-shaped leaves are 4–13 cm (2–5 in) long. Numerous forms and cultivars are available for garden use. The species and the form P. nigra f. henonis have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The form henonis is also known as Henon bamboo and as cultivar 'Henon'.

Description

A bamboo. The stems (culms) are mottled with green and black. It grows 15 m tall.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

It is used for lumber (timber), food, and musical instruments, among other things, in areas of China where it is native and also worldwide.

Medicinal Uses

A 2008 study from Zhejiang University, in China, isolated several flavone C-glycosides on black bamboo leaves, including orientin, homoorientin, vitexin and isovitexin.

Distribution

It can tolerate cold to -18°C.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China, Japan,

Synonyms

Phyllostachys nigra Munro var. henonis Stapf. f. boryana (Mitf.) Makino ex NakaiPhyllostachys nigra Munro var. boryana (Mitf.) NicholsonPhyllostachys boryana MitfordBambusa boryana hort. ex Bean

Also Known As

Tanba hanchiku

References (6)

Bot. Mag. (Tokyo) 28:26. 1912
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 47
http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/sorting/Bamboos_Edible.html
Ryan, S., 2008, Dicksonia. Rare Plants Manual. Hyland House. p 85
Tanaka,

Show all 6 references