THAMNOCALAMUS TESSELLATUS

 

8' height, Sun, 0 degrees F Minimum, Clumper.

 

        Forms open clumps with culms up to 1' apart.  Mature culms bear branches confined to upper nodes with stiff foliage which looks like large feathery plumes.  Very rare plant, only Bamboo native to South Africa, where it occurs in mountains from Table Mountain northwards 5-8,000' above sea level.  Used by Zulus to build hide-covered shields, spears & arrows.

        If allowed to get dry may lose all its leaves & many stems, rather like Arundinaria simonii.  Seems most happy in large container kept constantly very wet.  Single cane divisions in spring seem to survive if they include live foliage, but die if they only include roots, rhizomes & buds.

        Gallon pot with 5 3' culms sold at September 91 NWABS sale for $35.