Black Bamboo Trees
From PlantWiki
| Black Bamboo Tree |
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| Species |
| Bambusa |
History
The Black Bamboo Tree is native to much of Asia. Many species of this genus was collected by the great plant hunter, Dr. Philipp von Siebold, 1791-1866, physician of the Dutch East India Company. He worked with Joseph Zuccarini, a botanical professor in Munich to classify the genus of about 80 species. P. nigra was originally classified as Bambusa nigra by English nurseryman Conrad Loddiges, 1732-1826. It was more accurately reclassified by another English horticulturist, William Munro, 1816-1880. The Black Bamboo Tree was introduced into the United States in 1827.
Characteristics
Black bamboo plants have slender hollow grass stems that eventually turn jet black and glossy. Black bamboos are a favorite in contemporary planting and look their best in well-designed containers. Like all bamboos, the black bamboo needs to grow in a moisture-retentive soil that has a balanced content of organic matter and clay. The black bamboo gets its best black color in sandy soil. The best time to plant black bamboo is a little before the growing season starts. It grows fastest during the spring and needs to be amply watered. It also needs water if the leaves start to curl during the summer. Black bamboos are very hardy plants and do just as well in -10 degrees Fahrenheit as they do in the hot climate of the deep south where they can grow up to 45 feet tall. The plant needs a light shade and its leaves can scorch in full direct sunlight. In more temperate climates, it grows to about 10 to 15 feet tall.
Uses
The black canes of this dramatic Bamboo Tree make it incredibly popular as an artistic or architectural landscape plant. Trees in this genus constitute the chief source of paper pulp. The rich ebony color of this plant make it preferred for making flutes and furniture and other handcrafts. Some bamboo shoots are even used in cooking.
Black Bamboo grows well in planters and small in-ground containers. They can work as a focal point in any landscape or they make a great privacy screen for the home owner. Black Bamboo is are fast growing trees.