38. Phyllostachys aurea Rivière & C.Rivière
Local names
English- Fish Pole Bamboo
General description
This bamboo is fast growing and will quickly spread via underground rhizomes. Perennial rhizomatous bamboo to 10 m tall with stiff erect stems to 6 cm in diameter, green turning yellowish to brown in maturity. Branches form at nodes, which have a swollen band beneath them. Lower stem crowded with nodes while the upper stem with widely spaced nodes up to 20 cm apart. Stems flattened or grooved on one side above each node. Stem leaf sheaths glabrous, deciduous, margins entire, with two tufts of hairs where sheath intersects the blade. This woody, rhizomatous perennial grass rapidly forms a dense monoculture, suffocating other native plants and altering the entire ecosystem. As well as having detrimental effects on the environment this bamboo may also damage property and poses a potential threat to human health as it harbours a fungus responsible for the disease Histoplasmosis. Invasive bamboos are among the fastest growing plants on Earth and one infestation of P. aurea can spread as far as 9.3 miles. The spread is rapid in all directions, increasing each successive year.
Habit and Habitat
Tree form. Grows in sparsely wooded secondary forests and does best in full sun. It crowds out native plants and disrupts natural forest succession
Distribution
P. aurea is a highly invasive running bamboo native to Southeast China that is now widespread globally and especially problematic in Australia and North America.
Uses
Young shoots and Seeds are edible. It is a popular garden ornamental, where it is also used as a hedge. This is a good companion species to grow in a woodland because the plants have shallow root systems that do not compete with deep tree roots. The basal culm parts are used and sold as walking sticks, umbrella and fan handles and as various other souvenirs. The straight upper culm parts make excellent plant supports, and are also used as fishing rods, ski poles, javelins and for furniture and construction.