/ 



28 JAPANESE BAMBOOS. 



The culms rise straight from the rhizome, and the branches are pro- 

 portionately long-, compared with the height of the stem. 



Its sheaths are marked with purple or reddish blotches, which are 

 much more pronounced in character than those of the preceding species, 

 and the pseudophyll has a wavy outline. The branch buds have green 

 bases, and only the tips are brown. The new shoots appear above 

 ground in Japan a month later than those of the following species 

 (P. henonis), that is, in June. The internodes are proportionately 

 longer than those of P. mitis, but the leaf sheaths are fringed with long 

 hairs, as the} T are in that species. The leaves vary in length from 2 

 to 8 inches, but are proportionately broader, according to Mitford. 

 This species is hardy in England and has a more vigorously spreading 

 rhizome than that of P. mitis or P. aurea. 



Phyllostachys Henonis, Mitford. 



(Japanese name: "Hacluku.") 



A somewhat smaller kind of bamboo than the preceding two species. 

 Considered by Mitford the prettiest one cultivated in England. Height 

 in Japan from 20 to 30 feet, with a maximum diameter of a trifle over 3 

 inches. In England specimens 14 feet high and one-half inch in diameter 

 occur. After P. mitis and P. quilioi the commonest timber form in 

 Japan. Culms rise straight from the base. Sfyaths are a stra \w color, 

 ivithfew or no sp>ots of any kind and with a distinctly wavy pseudo- 

 phyll like the blade of a Malay hris. New shoots appear before those 

 of P. quilioi — that is, in April and May. The leaf sheaths are fringed 

 (at least on j T oung plants) with delicate hairs, which are neither so long 

 nor bristlelike as those in P. mitis and P. quilioi . Branch buds 

 are a pale yellowish-green. The pipe is thinner walled than that of 

 P. quilioi, and its use in the arts is restricted because of the inferior 

 quality of the wood. The rootstock is said to run freely in England, 

 where it has proved hardy. 



"Madaradake v or ^Ummon-chiktt." 



A form closely related to P. henonis, which is distinguished by hav- 

 ing dark blotches on its culms that are presumably caused by some as 

 yet undetermined species of fungus. These spots are regularly pres- 

 ent on almost all internodes and give to the stems a very decorative 

 appearance, making them much sought after for fancy furniture. The 

 extent and beauty of these blotches vary with the amount of shade 

 which the plants are given and the kind of soil upon which the} T are 

 grown. The best location is said to be a moist river bottom, and the 

 less direct sunlight that is permitted to strike the young shoots when 

 in growth the better. A rare sort, except in certain localities in Japan. 

 Some of the best groves the writer has seen are in Hikone, in the 

 province of Mino, on Lake Biwa. 



