152 PHYLLOSTACHYS 



than P. mitis, but that is based on the behaviour of two plants only, and 

 differs from the opinion of it held by others. 



P. NIGRA, Munro. BLACK-STEMMED BAMBOO. 



(Bambusa nigra, Loddiges.') 



Stems varying from 10 to 20 ft. high in different parts of the country, and 

 from J to i ins. in diameter, very hollow ; at first green, they become with 

 age quite black ; the branchlets usually mottled. Leaves in plume-like 

 masses ; usually 2 to 3^ ins. long, J to f in. wide (sometimes larger) ; of 

 thin texture, dark green above, rather 'glaucous beneath, smooth on both 

 surfaces, the margins roughened with minute teeth ; secondary veins three 

 to six each side the midrib. When quite young there is a slight downiness 

 at the base of the midrib beneath. The leaf-sheath is terminated by a few 

 erect bristles. 



Native of China and Japan, and one of the most elegant of bamboos ; very 

 distinct because of its black stems. It is a quite hardy species when once 

 established, although it grows much larger in hotter climates. It is the 

 oldest of Phyllostachys in English gardens and, according to Loudon, was 

 7 ft. high in the Horticultural Society's gardens in 1837. 



Var. PUNCTATA. A more robust form than the type, differing in the stems 

 not becoming wholly black, but mottled. It flowered over Europe between 

 1900 and 1908, and many plants died in consequence. 



P. QUILIOI, Riviere. 



(Bambusa Quilioi, Carriere ; Bambusa Mazeli, Hort. Madake of the Japanese.") 



Stems 10 to 18 ft. high in this country, f to i|- ins. thick at the base, deep 

 green. Branches long ; stem sheaths pinkish when young, conspicuously 

 mottled with deep purple. Leaves among the largest in the hardy Phyllostachys 

 group, varying from 2^ to 6 ins. long, \ to ij ins. wide (occasionally they are 

 even larger) ; bright green above, glaucous beneath ; smooth except for 

 some down at the base of the midrib beneath ; one margin toothed ; secondary 

 veins five to seven each side the midrib ; leaf-sheath with a conspicuous tuft 

 of bristles at the top, j to ^ in. long. 



Native of Japan ; introduced to France by Admiral Du Quilio in 1866. 

 It is one of the finest of hardy bamboos, very hardy and -free-growing. 

 P. viridi-glaucescens is the only species with which, in the adult state, it is 

 likely to bef confused, and from that species it is distinguished by the mottled 

 leaf-sheaths (in P. viridi-glaucescens they are simply striated or .tinged with 

 purple), by the larger leaves and longer branches. 



Var. MARLIACEA (P. Marliacea, Mitford). Marliac's Bamboo. A form 

 of P. Quilioi, distinguished by the curious wrinkling of the stems especially 

 towards the base. It does not appear to be so vigorous as P. Quilioi, and 

 behaves more like P. mitis in regard to hardiness. 



P. RUSCIFOLIA, Nicholson. 



(Bambusa ruscifolia, Siebold ; P. Kumasaca, Munro.') 



Stems erect, but very zigzagged, I to 2 ft. high, very much flattened 

 between the joints, ^ in. diameter, the central hollow only large enough to 

 admit a horse hair ; joints T to 3-5- ins. apart. Branches three or four at each 

 joint, i to 2^ ins. long, bearing one to three leaves. Leaves narrowly ovate. 



