Phyllostachys is a genus of Asian bamboo in the grass family. Many of the species are found in central and southern China, with a few species in northern Indochina and in the Himalayas. Some of the species have become naturalized in parts of Asia, South America, Australia, and southern Europe. The stem or culm has a prominent groove, called a sulcus, that runs along the length of each segment (or internode). Because of this, it is one of the most easily identifiable genera of bamboo. Most of the species spread aggressively by underground rhizomes. Being pioneer plants, phyllostachys species will not spread quickly or achieve mature height without access to direct sunlight throughout most of the day. Some species of Phyllostachys grow to 100 ft (30 m) tall in optimum conditions. Some of the larger species, sometimes known as "timber bamboo", are used as construction timber and for making furniture. Several species are cultivated as ornamental plants, though they can become invasive and troublesome in gardens, unless artificially restricted or grown in containers. The name Phyllostachys means "leaf spike" and refers to the inflorescences.

Taxonomy

• # Phyllostachys acuta • # Phyllostachys angusta • # Phyllostachys arcana • # Phyllostachys atrovaginata • # Phyllostachys aurea • # Phyllostachys aureosulcata • # Phyllostachys bambusoides • # Phyllostachys bissetii • # Phyllostachys carnea • # Phyllostachys circumpilis • # Phyllostachys dulcis • # Phyllostachys edulis • # Phyllostachys elegans • # Phyllostachys fimbriligula • # Phyllostachys flexuosa • # Phyllostachys glabrata • # Phyllostachys glauca • # Phyllostachys guizhouensis • # Phyllostachys heteroclada • # Phyllostachys incarnata • # Phyllostachys iridescens • # Phyllostachys kwangsiensis • # Phyllostachys lofushanensis • # Phyllostachys mannii • # Phyllostachys meyeri • # Phyllostachys nidularia • # Phyllostachys nigella • # Phyllostachys nigra • # Phyllostachys nuda • # Phyllostachys parvifolia • # Phyllostachys platyglossa • # Phyllostachys prominens • # Phyllostachys propinqua • # Phyllostachys rivalis • # Phyllostachys robustiramea • # Phyllostachys rubicunda • # Phyllostachys rubromarginata • # Phyllostachys rutila • # Phyllostachys shuchengensis • # Phyllostachys stimulosa • # Phyllostachys sulphurea • # Phyllostachys tianmuensis • # Phyllostachys varioauriculata • # Phyllostachys veitchiana • # Phyllostachys verrucosa • # Phyllostachys violascens • # Phyllostachys virella • # Phyllostachys viridiglaucescens • # Phyllostachys vivax species now considered better suited to other genera: Bambusa Chimonobambusa Pseudosasa Semiarundinaria Shibataea • Phyllostachys fastuosa – Semiarundinaria fastuosa • Phyllostachys kumasasa – Shibataea kumasasa • Phyllostachys marmorea – Chimonobambusa marmorea • Phyllostachys maudiae – Pseudosasa hindsii • Phyllostachys mitis – Bambusa vulgaris • Phyllostachys quadrangularis – Chimonobambusa quadrangularis • Phyllostachys ruscifolia – Shibataea kumasasa

Ecology

Fungi and pathogens growing specifically on Phyllostachys have phyllostachydis or phyllostachydicola species epithets.

Regulations

Connecticut property owners are liable for the cost of removing Phyllostachys bamboo that grows onto neighboring property, any resulting damages, and fines of $100 per day for growing this bamboo within 40 ft of any adjoining property or public way. New York has regulations listing P. aurea and P. aureosulcata as prohibited invasive species.