Phyllostachys sulphurea
Phyllostachys sulphurea (Carrière) Rivière & C.Rivière
Synonyms: Phyllostachys sulphurea f. sulphurea, Phyllostachys viridis, Phyllostachys chlorina, Phyllostachys faberi,Phyllostachys mitis, Jin Zhu (Chinese: 金竹 – Gold bamboo)
Native to
North central and Southeast China. Culms used in house construction and as tool handles. Shoots are edible but have some bitterness.
Overview
| Rhizome type | Monopodial Leptomorph Running |
| Soil conditions | All. |
| ,Hardiness | Very hardy, down to -20, but noticeably slower to establish in colder regions. |
| Habit | Upright and architectural, forming an open grove. |
| Maximum Height | 7-15m |
| Maximum Culm Diameter | 4-10cm |
| Maximum Spread | |
| Suitable for | Highly ornamental, especially in warmer conditions and good light. |
| Notes on Flowering |
Species description / How to identify
Commentary
Phyllostachys sulphurea is very ornamental, with bold yellow culms. Best results in terms of colouring and fastest growth are obtained in warmer regions and an open sunny position. It may be prone to blowing over until the rhizomes are established. As with many bamboos, the naming of this species is somewhat confused, with the synonym P. viridis more commonly used in the States.
Other forms
Phyllostachys sulphurea var. viridis
Green culms, slightly larger than the species.
Phyllostachys sulphurea f. houzeauana (syn P. sulphurea ‘Houzeau’)
Green culms with a yellow-green sulcus and sometimes green stripes on the internodes. This occurs in the wild but was named for the Belgian plantsman Jean Houzeau de Lehaie when it arose in cultivation as a sport from a rhizome cutting.
Phyllostachys sulphurea f. robert young
Yellow culms with a green sulcus and/or green stripes on the internodes. Named for the American botanist Dr Robert Young of the USDA.
Phyllostachys sulphurea f. tricolor
Culms yellow with variable green striping, more extensive than on f. robert young, and yellow sulci.
Phyllostachys sulphurea f. viridisulcata
Culms initially grey-green, becoming golden with age, with a green sulcus.