BAMBOOS THE NATIVE HOME OF 
WHICH IS UNCERTAIN 
ARUNDINARIA NOBILIS 
Tu1s Bamboo, of uncertain origin, has been grown in various 
places under the names of ARUNDINARIA FALCATA, THAMNO- 
CALAMUS FALCONERI, and ARUNDINARIA KHASIANA, indiffer- 
ently. That it differs from each and all of these is perfectly 
manifest. Moreover, as it is impossible to identify it with 
any of the hitherto described Indian Arundinarias, I am 
inclined to the belief that it has been imported, in circum- 
stances now long since forgotten, from China. In this theory 
I am supported by a letter from Mr. Rashleigh of Menabilly 
in Cornwall, in whose garden the plant has been cultivated 
for more than half a century, which I have his permission to 
quote, and in which he says :— 
Your suggestion that my Bamboo may have come from North- 
Western China has revived my recollection, that about 1836-38 my 
father’s friend, Mr. Henry Alexander, an East-Indian director, procured 
for him from China a large parcel of seeds, which came in charming 
little china pots or vases ; and it was about this time that much atten- 
tion was drawn to the parent of the present race of these plants of Bam- 
boos which, during about thirty years or more, grew on (a fine plant 
unchecked by winters) in that part of the garden here which is still 
called the Chinese garden. I feel sure, however, that this Bamboo 
came here through the East India Company’s directory. 
