About Pseudosasa japonica (Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) Makino ex Nakai
This vigorous bamboo, scientifically named Pseudosasa japonica (Siebold & Zucc. ex Steud.) Makino ex Nakai, forms thickets that reach up to 6 m (20 ft) in height. It produces shiny leaves that grow up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long, with an overall palm-like leaf arrangement. Its culms are typically yellow-brown in color. The species gets its common name "arrow bamboo" from the historical use of its hard, stiff canes to make arrows by Japanese samurai. It can grow up to 4 cm (1.6 in) per day. For cultivation, this is a cold hardy bamboo species that tolerates temperatures as low as 0 °F (−17.7 °C). It grows well in both full sun and shade, and it performs very well when grown in containers or in locations with salty ocean air. It is more shade tolerant than most other bamboo species, so gardeners often use it as an understory planting for tree-lined living fences. When cultivated in the United Kingdom, this species has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
