THE HYDROPSY OF " MADAKE " 



(Phyllostachys Bambusoides) 



By SEIICHI KAWAMURA, Botanist of Forest Experiment Station 



" Madake " {Phyllostachys Bambusoides) is a species of bamboo which 

 has been most extensively cultivated from old times. It is widely used 

 in house construction as well as in the industries. 



Kyoto and the surrounding districts being particularly suited in its 

 climate and soil for the growth of this valuable plant are well known for 

 the culture of this species of bamboo. In recent years, " Madake " has been 

 planted extensively in neighboring provinces. Unfortunately, of late hydropsy 

 (Midzugarebyo) has made its appearance and the malady is spreading. 



The malady is characterised by the accumulation of water in the 

 hollow part of the stem which causes the gradual fall of leaves. Though 

 there are many diseases that affect "Madake," none is comparable to 

 hydropsy in the damage done, since the affected stem loses all its tough- 

 ness and is rendered unfit for any use. 



I. Symptoms and Characteristics of the Malady 



No particular symptom of the malady is observable in the early 

 stages of bamboo, e.g. such as at the time of sprouting. It is only in 

 bamboos two or three years old that the stem becomes affected and the 

 terminal leaves began to fall in February or March. The affected bamboos 

 are hardly discernable in the grove, but they are clearly seen when the 

 grove is viewed from a distance. Later, in April and May, the stems so 

 attacked begin to lose their bright fresh colour and the leaves fall. On 

 splitting the affected stem lengthwise, however, one does not yet find any 

 of the liquid peculiar to the malady in the stem. With the progress of 

 the malady, the top of the stem is totally discolored, and the lower part 

 of it also turns to lighter colour being less lustrous than the sound stem. 

 Still later, the upper end of the stem turns to reddish yellow in colour 

 and a clear liquid accumulates in the stem, particularly in May and June. 

 The amount of the liquid varies according to the individual plant, but in 

 general, the one-third of the hollow is filled, although sometimes about 



