Culm surface textures of Phyllostachys species

[Mark Meckes]

Different bamboo species, even within the same genus can have differing culm surface textures or have a superfluous coating on the surface of new culms which may wear off as the culm ages.

Of the genus Phyllostachys, following are some visible traits:

Grooves, vertical indentations on the culm internode (apart from the sulcus)
Though most bamboos will show some surface undulations as a result of "clustering of fibrous bundles beneath the surface", some species have more pronounced surface indentations than others.

Irregular indentations,pitting or dimpling of the culm surface
Often referred to as "similar to pigskin leather", this may be felt by lightly rubbing the fingers on the culm surface.

Sheen of culm surface
This is in particular reference to the outer "skin" on new culm surfaces, and the sheen underlying any powdery coating on the surface.
Some species have a notably glossy surface, others are satin - to semi glossy, while others have a matte finish.
This surface finish will change as the culm ages, for example a new glossy culm may dull with age, or the surface sheen may vary according to the amount of sun exposure the culm surface receives.

Hairs, fuzz or other formations on new culm surfaces
These may be fine or loosely scattered, soon detaching, or thickly coated or more persistent.

Powdery coating on the culm surface
Different species exhibit varying amounts of powder on the culm surface, either in the form of a loose glaucous powder on new shoots at sheath fall or as the culm ages over several years. Some species culms are particularly noted for the ghost white appearance of their aging culms while most species develop a white translucent coating with age to some degree.

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Grooves, vertical indentations on the culm internode

P. aureosulcata 'Harbin' - P. bambusoides 'Marliac'
--- http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/601/thumbs/PaHarbinD2BGA050216-719.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=1579) ------------ http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/796/thumbs/PbMarlJBNTX070604-8540.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4864)

Phy. elegans --- Phy. nuda
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/545/thumbs/PelegAuTX050816-024.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2221) http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/511/thumbs/PnudaJBNTX070604-9079.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4760)

Phyllostachys vivax - P. v. 'Aureocaulis'
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/539/thumbs/1PvivaxM8-MGA050227-778.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=958) ----- http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/661/thumbs/PvAur7-2SGA050221-333.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=2466)

Irregular indentations, pitting or dimpling of the culm surface

P. viridis 'Robert Young'
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/551/thumbs/PvRY030615-783.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3226)

Phyllostachys makinoi
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/620/thumbs/PmakJBNTX070604-8762.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4684)

Sheen of culm surface
.. to be added

Hairs, fuzz or other formations on new culm surfaces

Phy. aureosulcata -- Phy. a. 'Spectabilis'
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/520/thumbs/PasulcJBNTX070604-9093.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4752) ...... http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/573/thumbs/PaSpectAuTX060409-614.JPG (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3460)

Phyllostachys edulis
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/528/thumbs/PeduAuTX070725-9811.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4445)

Phyllostachys mannii 'Decora'
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/590/thumbs/PmDecora3hspdr.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4389)

Phyllostachys nigra and species have a very fine velvety feel on a new culm surface, which soon wears off.

Phyllostachys rubromarginata
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/512/thumbs/PrubroAuTX060517-3014.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=3427)

Powdery coating on the culm surface
.. to be added

This post is an ongoing work in progress.
The gallery at Bamboo Flora for the genus Phyllostachys (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=502) has a number of photos highlighting the culm surface textures of various species.
It is difficult getting good photos that clearly illustrate the different culm surface textures.

I will soon edit > add image links to this post with examples as they become available ...

Mark
(The following 2 posts which initiated discussion of this topic have been moved here to this thread)

[ghmerrill]

Just wondering.... are the P. aureosulcata and cultivars the only ones that have that rough texture to the culm, or are there others?

Gene

[sasa fool]

Phy. viridis & Phy. makinoi are rough in a different way to my touch. They are rough in a dimpled way on the 'upscrape' whereas the Phy. aureosulcata forms to me are rougher, more sand paper like, not so much dimpled.