Pleioblastus variegatus
Credits
Article from Bean's Trees and Shrubs Hardy in the British Isles
Recommended citation
'Pleioblastus variegatus' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.
Synonyms
- Bambusa variegata J.Dix
- Arundinaria fortunei Rivière
- Sasa variegata (J.Dix) E.G.Camus
- Bambusa fortunei Van Houtte
Editorial Note
Bean treated this species under the synonym Arundinaria variegata. On the changes to taxonomy, and for a general discussion of hardy bamboos and their cultivation, see the genus entry for Arundinaria.
Taxonomic note Bean gave the author of the basionym Bambusa variegata as Miq.
Stems up to 31⁄2 ft high, very slender, the strongest only 1⁄8 in. diameter, the pipe up the centre very small; joints 1 to 6 in. apart; stem-sheaths persistent, hairy at the base. Leaves 2 to 71⁄2 in. long, 1⁄4 to 1 in. wide, rounded at the base, dark green copiously striped lengthwise with creamy white – sometimes it would be more correct to say ‘white striped with green’; hairy on both surfaces, especially beneath; both margins toothed; leaf-sheaths hairy when young; secondary nerves three to five both sides the midrib.
Native of Japan; cultivated by Van Houtte of Ghent before 1863. This is the prettiest white variegated hardy bamboo we have, giving a very bright effect from late summer up to Christmas. It is of tufted habit, but spreads rapidly, and is easily increased by division. It has not yet flowered in cultivation.