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Woody > Phyllostachys > Phyllostachys nigra > Phyllostachys nigra

Phyllostachys nigra


Black Bamboo, Whangee cane, Kuro-chiku




Origin:  Eastern and Central China.
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Phyllostachys
Species
nigra
Category
Woody
USDA Hardiness Zone
7
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6b - 7a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 - H5
Temperature (°C)
-15 - (-9)
Temperature (°F)
0 - 10
Height
2.5 - 4 m
Spread
1.5 - 2.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
General Description
Tall, clump-forming evergreen bamboo with thin, arching canes.
Cultivation
Plant in rich, damp soil in an area that is sheltered from harsh winds and prolonged exposure to frost. Best in full sun or partial shade, and requires heavy feeding when active.
Shape
Clumps of long, thin culms.
Growth
Fast
Pests
Generally pest and disease free.
Bark/Stem Description
Culms are green at first, typically turning shining black in the second or third year, and have a white waxy powder below the nodes.
Leaf Description
Leaves are 4-13 x 0.8-1.8 cm, thin and glabrous with small, downy ligules.
Propagation
Propagate through large divisions in spring, transferring directly to the new site and misting or drenching often until fully established.
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer)
A translucent white substance taken from the nodal joints of some species of bamboo, called tabasheer or bamboo silica, is used in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. It also plays a role in traditional Chinese medicine. It is composed of silica and water with traces of lime and potash.
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