Phyllostachys rubromarginata

Phyllostachys rubromarginata, the reddish bamboo or red margin bamboo, is a species of Phyllostachys bamboo, native to Central China, specifically Guangxi and Guizhou.

Description

A bamboo. It grows 14 m tall. The culms are slender with long internodes. They are green but turn yellow. They are 2.5 cm long and the internodes 22-31 cm long. There are 2-3 leaves on the last branch.

Edible Uses

The young shoots have a slight acridity when raw, which is eliminated by boiling; once cooked, they can be used in salads and similar dishes. Shoots measure about 35mm in diameter and are harvested in spring when they stand about 8cm above the ground, cut roughly 5cm below soil level.

Traditional Uses

The young shoots are cooked with a changing of the cooking water then eaten in salads and stir fried dishes.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a subtropical plant. It can tolerate temperatures to -21°C.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, China*,

Cultivation

Requires a rich damp soil in a sheltered position and plenty of moisture in the growing season. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. 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. Cultivated for its edible shoots in China. Plants show a remarkably high survival rate when planted out. Commercial plantings in America averaged around 86% success rate. (This probably refers to divisions) In tests in Alabama, USA, this species was considerably more productive than any other member of this genus in producing canes as measured by number and by weight of the wood. 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.

Propagation

Surface sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at around 20°C, keeping the compost consistently moist. Germination usually occurs fairly quickly with good-quality seed, though it can take 3–6 months. Grow seedlings on in a lightly shaded greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Seed is rarely available. Divide in spring as new growth begins; divisions from open ground transplant poorly and will need careful treatment under cover in pots until at least late spring. Divide during wet weather, as small divisions establish better than large clumps. Alternatively, large divisions can be taken from established clumps and moved directly to their permanent positions, provided they are misted or drenched frequently until established. Basal cane cuttings can also be taken in spring.

Other Uses

The canes are used as plant supports, for making musical pipes, and for weaving baskets.

Other Information

It is cultivated for its shoots.

Also Known As

Koon yam chuk

References (7)

• 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 47
• http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/sorting/Bamboos_Edible.html
• Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 648
• Lingnan Univ. Sci. Bull. 9:44. 1940

More from Poaceae

🌱

Panicum chamaeraphoides

Panicum coloratum

Klein grass, Coloured guinea grass

Panicum curviflorum

Panicum cymbiforme

Panicum decompositum

Australian millet, Native millet, Umbrella grass, Papa Grass

Panicum deustum