Bamboo is Beautiful
Lewis Bamboo Groves in Alabama
There are many varieties of bamboos. Some are distinctive,
many have similarities and are hard to distinguish.
The growth phase of the culms is the best time for identification.
The young culms have distinctive qualities for positive identification.
Phyllostachys Aurea is easily identifiable
by the compressed nodes on many of the culms.
The sheaths of Phyllostachys Aurea are pinkish brown, the sheath blades are pink
with green. They are delicate and wavy.
The sheaths of Phyllostachys Henon are light brown.
The sheath blades are emerald green.
They have a distinct undulating corkscrew appearance.
Phyllostachys Henon Nigra is a close relative of Henon.
The sheaths and sheath blades similar.
Nigra culms are green at first but turn black from sun.
Phyllostachys Vivax is large timber variety. It can grow to over 70 feet.
The sheaths are tan spotted or molted with brown.
The sheath blades are large and crinkly. They almost look like cooked bacon.
Phyllostachys Viridis is mediun large timber variety. It can grow to up to 45 feet.
Also known as "Pig Skin" because under magnification, the surface is bumpy like a football. If you rub your hand on the mature culms, they feel rough.
The sheaths are striated tan and pink.
The sheath blades are yellow at first, then darken to pink.
Phyllostachys Rubromarginata is has dark green
sheaths with distictive red margins. It is unmistakeable.
Peudosasa Japonica is from Japan and Korea where it is known as arrow bamboo.
It has a much different growth pattern than the timber varieties.
Culms are narrow and the sheath tends to remain on the culm.
The leaves are long and wide. Much bigger than Phyllostachys leaves.
The young culms are light green with wispy green blades.
