Pleioblastus intermedius

S. Y. Chen

Hua si zhu

Poaceae Edible: Shoots

No photos yet for Pleioblastus intermedius

Summary

An evergreen bamboo reaching 3 m tall with year-round foliage and hermaphrodite, wind-pollinated flowers. Adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH. Tolerates semi-shade and prefers moist soil.

Description

A bamboo. It grows 3-4 m high. The culms are 1-2 cm across. The internodes are 21-22 cm long. There are 3 to 4 leaves on the last branch. The leaf blade is 10-23 cm long by 3 cm wide.

Edible Uses

The young shoots are cooked and make a good addition to culinary dishes.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. It grows near streams between 400-800 m altitude in Zhejiang province in China.

Where It Grows

Asia, China*,

Cultivation

We have little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, but it is hardy to at least -7°c in China and so is worth trying outdoors in this country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a good loamy soil in a sheltered position in semi-shade. Requires deep shade and a position sheltered from N. and E. winds. Dislikes drought. The rootstock is running. 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.

Propagation

Surface sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at around 20°C; stored seed should be sown immediately upon receipt. Keep the compost consistently moist. Germination is usually fairly quick given good seed quality, though it may take 3–6 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in light shade in a greenhouse or cold frame until ready to plant out, which may take several years. Seed is rarely available as the plants flower only at intervals of many years. Division in spring as new growth begins is more reliable — take divisions with at least three canes, disturbing the main plant's roots as little as possible. Grow divisions in light shade in a greenhouse in a high-fertility sandy medium, misting foliage regularly until established. Plant out once a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more. Basal cane cuttings can also be used.