Bambusa dolichomerithalla 'Silverstripe'?

[MRichard]

We are trying to identify some very large clumps of Bambusa's planted in the 1930's and were previously thought to be a multiplex type. The clumps are 15-20' across and the canes reach about 35' in height. When we saw the culm sheaths we no longer think it is a multiplex, but possibly Bambusa dolichomerithalla 'Silverstripe'. If it is this then the introduction date needs to be pushed back around 50 years!

Thanks,
Mike Richard
Live Oak Gardens, Ltd.

[Mark Meckes]

Hi Mike,
For reference, here's info from the ABS 2007 source list:

Bambusa dolichomerithalla 'Silverstripe' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=682) (link to photos at Bamboo Flora)
Maximum Height: 35ft (11M)
Maximum Diameter: 2in. (5.1cm)
Minimum Temperature: 25 F (-4 C)
Sun/Shade: 5 (Full sun = 5)

Bambusa multiplex 'Silverstripe' (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=585) (link to photos at Bamboo Flora)
Maximum Height: 25ft (8M)
Maximum Diameter: 1.5in. (3.8cm)
Minimum Temperature: 18 F (-8 C)
Sun/Shade: 5 (Full sun = 5)

The height of your plant at 35ft this is more in line with B. dolichomerithalla 'Silverstripe'.
However often the max. height listed is averaged, and under certain conditions can be exceeded.

What is the largest diameter of culms?

Your culm sheaths have the appearance typical of B. multiplex species, in which the lower sheath portion is generally free of hairs and the upper sheath blade often has hairs ...
... as shown in this example.

Bambusa multiplex - hairs on sheath blade portion
http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/data/584/thumbs/BmultAuTX070803-8399.jpg (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showphoto.php?photo=4476)

Bambusa dolichomerithalla species have dark hairs on portions of the sheath proper.

Bambusa dolichomerithalla is also known as "Blowpipe Bamboo", due to it's long internodes, (purportedly in reference to cooking/keeping the embers hot).
I don't know what the maximum internode length is.

I just measured a long internode length on our B. m. 'Alphonse Karr' of around 23in. (68cm), so I'm presuming B. doli can get longer. (?)

Mark

[MRichard]

Thanks Mark,
The setae on the culm sheath looks like more like the multiplex. The max diameter on the canes also fits around 1.5", but there are no variegated leaves like multiplex 'Silverstripe'. Also the canes lose their variegation quickly from the ground going up.