BAMBUSA MULTIPLEX

 

Probable height in Southern California within 3 years = 15'

Probable ultimate height in Southern California = 20'

Height in habitat = 35'

Loses leaves around  20 to  25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Loses canes around  15 to  20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rhizomes die around  10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

If growing in the ground it prefers half sun, half shade.

A clumping bamboo - rhizomes will not run sideways.

Minimum soil depth required for a healthy plant = 1'

Unrestrained rhizome depth in moist soil = 18"

 

    Bambusa glaucescens, Hedge Bamboo, Bambusa argenta, Bambusa nana argenta, Leleba multiples, Horai chiku, Ho chiku fuiri beni.

        Originally from China.

        Makes an excellent hedge, whether pruned or left natural. The green culms become yellow as they mature, especially if grown in full sun.  A very vigorous & fast-growing plant which has extremely strong fibrous roots used to hold back Chinese & Japanese rivers.  If you want a 15' high hedge in a hurry - this or Alphonse Karr is your baby.  

        Paul But in "Hong Kong Bamboos" says in China the culms are used to make umbrellas, mats & handicrafts.  In Malaysia tea made from a handful of multiplex shoots pounded with 100 white peppercorns & drank on 3 successive mornings causes miscarriage.  Or a very upset stomach.  A bunch of nervous teenagers pounding 100 peppercorns before breakfast would make anybody

sick, with or without bamboo.  In 1970 this plant was commonly called B. multiplex in the U.S.  In 1982 we changed to B. glaucescens because the American Bamboo Society used that terminology.  In 1987 we changed back to B. multiplex because American Bamboo Guru Doctor Tom Soderstrom said we should.

        Specimens were said to survive the severe winter of 1984-85 in Europe with no damage. (7 degrees F.)  Will Roberds in Decatur, Ga had a plant that died back to the ground at 6 degrees F. in 1989 & recovered.