bamboo species ID? - New Zealand

[frank perry]

I am a newcomer to this forum,I have just moved into a new home in Whangaparaoa in the northern part of the north island of New Zealand, the climate is sub tropical, I have several small groves of bamboo, each appears to be of a different species.
I am most interested in identifying the exact species
that i have. if i were to post photos of these could someone help in the identification?
The largest species has a diameter of about 5 inches and a length of about 30 feet.
What parts of the plant would I need to photograph
to make identification easier?
I look forward to your comments.
Frank.

[Mark Meckes]

Hello Frank, and welcome!
Upload your pictures and we'll see if we can help identify your bamboo.
Send in distant as well as close-up shots of any differences you observe.
Close-ups of new shoots and their culm sheaths (outer wrappings that usually fall off after the shoots rise), are very helpful ID indicators, though I'm not sure of what time of the year this would take place at your location. Different bamboos have different shooting periods.
Send in your pics.
We would love to see pics of bamboo growing in the New Zealand landscape!

Mark Meckes

[frank perry]

Thank you Mark, I will take photos at the first opportunity and post them (as soon as I have figured out how to do that! )
Frank.

[frank perry]

I have posted photos of three clumps of bamboo on my property and a closeup of each, I have photographed a six inch square white card in each photo to give an idea of scale, Thank you for offering to identify the species of each for me, if I can take more detailed photos to help, let me know.
I am looking forward to harvesting some and working with it. I think I have a lot to learn.
Thanks again, Frank

Photos:
NZ Bamboo 02
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/114comp.bamboo02e.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=130) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/11402closeup.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=131)

NZ Bamboo 03
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/114comp.bamboo03e.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=132) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/11403closeup.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=133)

NZ Bamboo 04
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/114comp.bamboo04e.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=134) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/534/thumbs/114comp.bamboo04e.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=135)

[Mark Meckes]

Very impressive!
I have very fond memories of living (briefly) in NZ 30 years ago...South Island... Incredibly beautiful place, New Zealand

Mark

[Mark Mortimer]

Hey Frank,
i've only just signed on again after a long pause.
I"m in Auckland. Glad to see a Kiwi on the forum!
In NZ there are certain species which are quite common,(no natives, all introduced) these are:
Phyllostachys aurea
Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis
Bambusa oldhami
Bambusa latifloris
None of your photos are giveaways, because it's just hard to see. But the first two of your species could be either the latifloris or the oldhami. You see oldhami a lot in Northland used as windbreaks around the fields. The clump shape is quite characteristic, with a very erect habit. i'd say the first is Oldhami and the second latifloris.
With your last species are there grooves in the culms, just above where the branch comes out of the culm? if so it's a Phyllostachys genera, but it's hard to say more than that.
Want to join the NZ bamboo society?
We are having a big weekend meeting in April. Why don't you come down?
meanwhile, have a look at my website. just click on my profile.
Cheers, Mark

[frank perry]

Thank you both for replying,I will be taking more photos in the near future but am very busy with the builders working on the place at the moment.
I have spent some time clearing up around the clumps and have discovered many new shoots, I will photograph these soon. I have many questions about harvesting and storage but will do some thorough searching before I ask.
Thanks again for your replies. Frank