Phyllostachys atrovaginata
Phyllostachys atrovaginata C.S.Chao & H.Y.Chou
Synonyms: Phyllostachys congesta (misapplied), Incense Bamboo, Phyllostachys atrovaginata ‘Green Perfume’, Wu Ya Zhu (Chinese: 乌芽竹 – Black Bud bamboo)
Native to
Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Cultivated for edible shoots.
Overview
| Rhizome type | Monopodial Leptomorph Running |
| Soil conditions | All. P. atrovaginata is particularly suitable for wet soils, with specialised air channels in the rhizomes. |
| ,Hardiness | Very hardy, down to -20. |
| Habit | Upright. |
| Maximum Height | 7-8m |
| Maximum Culm Diameter | 3-5cm |
| Maximum Spread | |
| Suitable for | Primarily of interest to the collector, particularly as the scent for which it is named is not always detectable. P. atrovaginata has particularly thick culm walls for a Phyllostachys, making potentially of interest for construction. |
| Notes on Flowering |
Species description / How to identify
Commentary
Phyllostachys atrovaginata is an attractive species, quick to establish in the ground and producing comparatively thick culms for its height. The culm walls are relatively thick for a Phyllostachys. The branches are held at an upright angle, giving the plant a somewhat columnar look. The culms emerge a fresh green, ageing to a greyish-green, and are reputed to give off an incense-like scent when rubbed, though if so it is not strong.
There is some confusion regarding the naming of this species. In the U.S. it has long been confused in cultivation with Phyllostachys congesta, and many American websites now list this a synonym for P. atrovaginata. However, the correct name for P. congesta, according to Plants of the World Online, is Phyllostachys heterocycla, a different bamboo.
Cultivation and propagation
Often recommended for boggy ground.