Sasamorpha borealis — Edible Plant

Summary

Sasamorpha borealis is an evergreen bamboo reaching 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and remains in leaf year-round. The species displays hermaphroditic, wind-pollinated flowers. It adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH, tolerates semi-shade in light woodland environments, and prefers moist soil.

Description

Sasamorpha borealis is an evergreen bamboo reaching 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and remains in leaf year-round. The species displays hermaphroditic, wind-pollinated flowers. It adapts to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acidic to basic pH, tolerates semi-shade in light woodland environments, and prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

The seed is cooked and used as a cereal grain. It is only produced at intervals of several years.

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Japan, Korea,

Propagation

Surface sow seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°C, or sow stored seed as soon as it is received. Keep the compost moist. Germination is usually fairly quick in good-quality seed, though it may take 3–6 months. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse until big enough to plant out, which may take several years. Seed is rarely available as plants only flower at intervals of several years. For division, work in late spring as new growth begins. Take divisions with at least three canes, keeping root disturbance to the main plant to a minimum. Grow on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of high-fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until established, then plant out once a good root system has formed, which can take a year or more.