SEMIARUNDINARIA FASTUOSA (Temple Bamboo)

 

                        

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Probable height in Southern California within 3 years = 20'

Probable ultimate height in Southern California = 25'

Height in habitat = 30'

Loses leaves around  -10 to  0 degrees Fahrenheit.

Loses canes around  -20 to  -10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rhizomes die around  -30 to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

If growing in the ground it prefers full sun.

A running bamboo - rhizomes will run sideways and downward in moist earth unless restrained with a root barrier.

Minimum soil depth required for a healthy plant = 12"

 

       Grows  strong, straight, upright, perfectly vertical canes over 20' high in wet locations, 12' if grown dry.  Decorative potted vertical accent or tall linear hedge.  New light green culm sheaths have tiny blue-green leaves at tips in spring.  Young shoots edible & free of bite, but too small to be an important food source. 

         Pillar-like plant with densely packed culms and  hand-like clumps of leaves stepping up the 1 1/2" maximum diameter culms to a plume of leaves at the top.  Stems & leaves are easily trimmed by pulling them downwards by hand without clippers.

       The roots & rhizomes can go down to -20 degrees F. if heavily mulched.  David Andrews reports minor rhizome damage at 0 degrees F.  Does well in Southern Florida. 

        Native to Japan and the Japanese name is Narihira, after a mythical romantic hero of eleventh century.  The name in Japanese has come to mean "stately."