ghmerrill
24th September 2007, 12:38 AM
I know many of the Semiarundianaria have a slight coloring to the inside of the culm sheath, can change culm color in sun exposure, and have a multiple branching habit, but am not sure of the differences between the two genus. I have NO experience with the Arundinaria species at all, so was wondering if any of you out there with specimens from both genus could give me an idea of some differences, judging by the genus name, they are closely related, but there have to be some general charactersitics that are different. Any thoughts out there???
Thanks!
Gene
Mark Meckes
27th September 2007, 04:36 AM
Hi Gene,
The main noticeable difference is that Arundinaria sheaths are persistant, staying attached to the culm and the sheaths of Semiarundinaria species are deciduous and will progressively detach after a new culm has branched.
(They are not as quick to detach as Phyllostachys species.
Though there are apparently large stands of Semiarundinaria in China, it is thought that this genus is native to Japan.
I have read that Arundinaria species will have from 3 to 7 branches growing from the internodes and Semiarundinaria species will have from 3 to 8, so this isn't much help to determine genus differences.
Also the inflorescence of each genus has 3 stamens and 3 stigmas.
In the past there were many species listed in the genus Arundinaria and the majority have been moved to other genera.
A few, including our US native Arundinaria gigantea (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=543) have not changed.
Mark