Species Overview

Native to: China

Meyer’s bamboo is fast growing and may be used ornamentally as a screen or noise barrier. It has been documented in the US in the Carolinas and Florida. There is only one known report from 2010 in Florida where a ~5 acre stand was noted to be crowding out all other vegetation on an access road near Micanopy.

In recent years, companies have started promoting various bamboo species as a crop plant however there are concerns with its agricultural use and more information can be found in Considering bamboo? Know the risks before you plant.

Species Characteristics

Family: Poaceae

Habit: evergreen bamboo that can grow 5 - 10metres tall; the erect, woody culms are 30 - 70mm in diameter with thick-walled internodes up to 35cm long.

Distribution in Florida: One site, Alachua County

Impacts

Because it can create a very dense grove and spreads via rhizomes it has the potential to crowd out native plants and disrupt natural forest regimes. The rhizomes are elongated and it has running habit that can produce new canes some distance from the main clump.

Refrain from purchasing, propagating, or planting golden bamboo due to its ability to escape into natural areas.

Replace in the landscape with native plants.

Cutting and mowing can be used on small infestations or where herbicides cannot be used. Cut plants as close to the ground as possible. Repeat several times throughout the growing season as plants resprout. Monitoring and re-treatment will be necessary for several growing seasons until the energy reserves in the rhizomes are exhausted.

None known.

Consult your local UF IFAS Extension for management recommendations.