Golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea, Bull. Soc. Acclim. France, sér. 3, 5: 716 (1878))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (André) Rivière & C.Rivière

Bibliography: Bull. Soc. Acclim. France, sér. 3, 5: 716 (1878)

Year: 1878

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phyllostachys

Vegetable: False

Observations: China (Fujian, Zhejiang) to Vietnam

Description

Golden bamboo, known scientifically as Phyllostachys aurea, is a species of bamboo that belongs to the Poaceae family. This robust and versatile plant is notable for its striking golden-yellow stems, which add a vibrant touch to any garden or landscape.

Originating from regions spanning China, particularly Fujian and Zhejiang, to Vietnam, golden bamboo thrives in a variety of climates and conditions. Its adaptability has made it a popular choice for creating privacy screens and windbreaks, owing to its dense growth and rapid propagation.

The first documentation of Phyllostachys aurea was presented in the Bulletin of the Société d’Acclimatation de France in 1878 by botanists André and C. Rivière. Their comprehensive observation highlighted the plant’s unique characteristics and its potential for acclimatization outside its native habitat.

Golden bamboo is cherished not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its resilience and ease of cultivation. It is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal care once established. This makes it an excellent option for both novice and experienced gardeners looking to enhance their outdoor spaces with a touch of exotic elegance.

Common Names

Ita: bambù
Eng: golden bamboo, fish-pole bamboo
Por: bambu-de-jardim, bambu-de-vara-de-pesca, bambu-japonês, bambuzinho-amarelo, bambuí
Spa: bambú amarillo
Nob: gullbambus
Nno: gullbambus
En: Golden bamboo, Fish-pole bamboo
It: Bambù
Nb: Gullbambus
Nn: Gullbambus
Pt: Bambu-de-jardim, Bambu-de-vara-de-pesca, Bambu-japonês, Bambuzinho-amarelo, Bambuí
Es: Bambú amarillo

Synonyms

• Bambusa aurea (André)
• Phyllostachys breviligula (W.T.Lin & Z.M.Wu)
• Bambos hoteitsiku (Siebold)
• Sinarundinaria reticulata var. aurea ((André) Ohwi)
• Phyllostachys reticulata f. alternatolutescens ((I.Tsuboi) Makino & Nemoto)
• Phyllostachys reticulata f. albovariegata ((Makino) Makino & Nemoto)
• Bambusa koteisik (Zoll.)
• Phyllostachys bambusoides var. aurea ((André) Makino)
• Phyllostachys bambusoides f. alternatolutescens (I.Tsuboi)
• Phyllostachys meyeri var. aurea ((André) Pilip.)
• Phyllostachys aurea f. flavescensinversa ((J.Houz.) Muroi)
• Phyllostachys aurea f. albovariegata ((Makino) Nakai)
• Phyllostachys aurea var. flavescensinversa ((J.Houz.) Nakai)
• Phyllostachys takemurae (Muroi)
• Phyllostachys reticulata var. aurea ((André) Makino)
• Phyllostachys formosana (Hayata)
• Phyllostachys puberula var. flavescensinversa (J.Houz.)
• Phyllostachys aurea f. alternatolutescens ((I.Tsuboi) K.Ueda)
• Phyllostachys bambusoides f. albovariegata (Makino)

Distribution

• China Southeast (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Sicilia (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Sulawesi (introduced)
• Sumatera (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Nov 24, 2019 by Anton Corsair (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2022 by Titouan Meunier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2021 by Ferreira Paulo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2021 by Santiago Bernhardt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2022 by Helder Gondim (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 3, 2020 by Jorba Basave Santiago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 12, 2021 by Mannoja Giancarlo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2020 by Rios Brayan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Simone Giordano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2020 by Cadme Fernanda (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 13, 2019 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 28, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2022 by Merlin Roux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by Simone Giordano (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 25, 2022 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 3, 2019 by Godoy Kaylene (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290167)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415983-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phyllostachys aurea Rivière & C.Rivière)

Specifications

Growth form>: Rhizomatous

Growth habit>: Graminoid, Shrub, Vine

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.0