golden bamboo
(Phyllostachys aurea Carr. ex A.& C. Rivière)

Overview

Appearance

Phyllostachys aurea is a perennial, reed-like plant that can reach heights of 16-40 ft. (5-12 m). The canes (stems) are hollow with solid joints and can be 1-6 in. (2.5-15.2 cm) in diameter.

Foliage

Leaves are alternate, 3-10 in. (7.6-25.4 cm) long and 0.25-0.75 in. (0.6-1.9 cm) wide.

Flowers

Flowering is very rare (maybe once every 7 to 12 years).

Fruit

Plants spread by rhizomes.

Ecological Threat

Infestations are commonly found around old homesites and can rapidly expand in size. Phyllostachys aurea can form dense, monocultural thickets that displace native species. Once this plant is established, it is difficult to remove. It is native to China and was first introduced into the United States in 1882 for ornamental purposes.

Resources

• A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
• Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
• Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council
• Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
• Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 2
• Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
• Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
• Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Moderate Threat
• Maine Invasive Plants
• Maryland Code and Regulations of Invasive Plants
• Maryland Cooperative Extension Service.  2003. Invasive Plant Control in Maryland. Home and Garden Information Center, Home and Garden Mimeo HG88. 4 pp.
• Maryland Invasive Species Council - Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland
• National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
• New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral
• New York Regulated and Prohibited Invasive Species - Prohibited
• Non-Native Invasive Plants of Arlington County, Virginia
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Invasive Plants
• Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas
• South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
• Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References