Phyllostachys bambusoides "Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo" is the most utilized bamboo in Japan where it is valued for its large good quality straight thick-walled culms that are very good for splitting. Prior to extensive flowering in the 1970's it was widely distributed on the East and West Coast. Many groves died and did not recover; those that did have regained their vegetative vigor and have developed mature groves. The shoots have a bitter taste that can be reduced by par-boiling with fresh water 2 or 3 times. First introduced in the U.S. in 1889 with many subsequent introductions. Our grove came from a recovered grove that flowered in the 70's. Most of the divisions from the recovered groves have not attained the rated height and diameter listed. The largest culms I have seen from any recovered grove is 55 feet and 4 in in diameter. Groves from divisions that didn't fower still attain the rated sizes.
Performance Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo (Zone 7) |
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Pronunciation Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo |
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Botanical Latin is essentially a written language ....
How they are pronounced really matters little provided they sound pleasant and are understood by all concerned... |
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Name | Botanical | Alternate | Meaning |
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Phyllostachys | fil-lo-STAK-iss | fy-lo-STAK-iss | Greek for leaf spike |
bambusoides | bam-BOO-soy-deez | Compounded from Bambusa, a name for bamboo that was the result of an erroneous pronunciation of the Indian word Mambu and -odies, which indicates resemblance. |
Uses Phyllostachys bambusoides Giant Japanese Timber Bamboo |
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Edible shoots | Excellent | Hedge | Too tall |
House | Too large | Wood quality | Excellent |
Container | Good | Crafts | Good |
Screen | High branching | Ornamental | Excellent |