Phyllostachys nigra
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Taxon |
Family |
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Phyllostachys nigra (Lodd.) Munro |
Poaceae |
 |
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| The bamboo in Hawaii Credit: Forest & Kim Starr |
Common names: Black bamboo
Synonyms: Phyllostachys henionis Mitf., Phyllostachys nigra var. henionis (Mitf.) Stapf ex Rendle., Bambusa nigra Lodd. ex Lindl
Life form: Bamboo
Biology/Ecology:
Dispersal: Spreads vegetatively by rhizomes. Introduced by humans for ornamental purposes and spread further via garden rubbish.
Reproduction: Flowers are hermaphrodite and wind-pollinated. Plants flower every few years and are weakened after flowering, sometimes causing death to the plant.
Herbivores: No information available.
Resistant stages: No information available.
Habitat:
Native habitat: No information available.
Habitat occupied in invaded range: Moist slopes, stream banks, waste ground, urban areas.
Habitat requirements:
| Altitude | No information available. |
| Light | No information available. |
| Temperature | Withstands temperatures down to at least -7 degrees Celsius, possibly -18 degrees. |
| Annual rainfall | No information available. |
| Soil | Moist soil. |
Distribution:
Native to China
Introduced range: Invasive in Tanzania, Australia and Hawaii. Introduced in New Zealand, USA and parts of Europe, especially Mediterranean countries and the UK.
Impacts:
Ecosystem: Forms dense and extensive stands, excluding other vegetation.
Health, social and economic: No information available.
Management:
Mechanical: Mechanical clearing such as tractor rotary slashing is effective when used in conjunction with chemical management, as plants regrow. Fire can be effective if safe. Digging trenches around the area of bamboo can reduce its spread.
Chemical: Foliar application is difficult for tall plants. Mechanical clearing is recommended, followed by herbicide treatment of re-sprouts. Basal stem application of imazapyr has been effective, the plant is also sensitive to hexazinone and moderately sensitive to glyphosate. A regional council in New Zealand recommends the following methods:
Biological: No information available.
References:
Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER), 2005. Available from http://www.hear.org/pier/species/phyllostachys_nigra.htm (Accessed September 2006).
Environment Bay of Plenty Regional Council (New Zealand). Available from http://www.ebop.govt.nz/weeds/Weed239.asp (Accessed September 2006).
Plants For A Future, 2004. Phyllostachys nigra. Available from http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Phyllostachys+nigra (Accessed September 2006).
Last updated October 2006
