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Exotic Bamboo
Phyllostachys
aurea
and other spp.
Identification
Members of the grass family (monocots), these species all resemble
native river cane (Arundinaria
gigantea),
but in most cases are much larger and faster growing. Some species
can grow over thirty feet tall! The canes are also much weaker than
rivercane, and the roots are poorly formed.
Origin
China and Japan
Habitat
Prefers full sun in most climates, but can grow in partial shade. It
needs a large amount of water to support its fast growth rate; this
keeps it near streams or rivers in most cases. Will grow and spread
incredibly fast in moist, deep loamy soil, but will spread at a
slower rate in less favorable conditions.
Ecological Threat
Exotic Bamboo is a threat to rare riparian habitats. It forms
impenetrable thickets where it infests, and crowds out all native
plant life. It spreads laterally via rhizomes, and has been known to
spread at an alarming rate in moist areas. Bamboo also causes
streambank erosion. It crowds out native plant species and trees in
riparian areas, and the bank erodes rapidly beneath the shallow,
weak roots of the bamboo.
[For a local example, visit the
Greasy Creek restoration project
“Additional Pictures” page.]
Recommended Native Alternatives
These pages are designed to give the
layperson a general overview of non-native invasive plants commonly
found in the upper Hiwassee River watershed. For more comprehensive
and technical information about a particular species, visit one of
the web sites from our
Links
page. |
