Narihira Bamboo Semiarundinaria fastuosa
ABOUT
Semiarundinaria fastuosa, commonly known as Narihira bamboo or medake, is a bamboo species known for its striking appearance. This plant possesses sturdy, upright canes (culms) that are a deep green color, offering a lush and vibrant look to the landscape. The canes often feature a noticeable sheen, lending the bamboo a sophisticated and elegant air. As it matures, the color of the canes can transition to add shades of yellow or a more dulled green, which adds to the plant's visual interest. The Narihira bamboo's leaves are another highlight, being long, narrow, and a rich green color, contributing to the dense and bushy appearance of the bamboo. They dangle gracefully from the branches, creating a soothing, rustling sound when a breeze catches them. This foliage remains on the plant all year round, making it an excellent choice for those seeking consistent greenery. The overall form of Narihira bamboo is one of orderly vertical growth, with the canes arranged closely together, giving it a compact and columnar feel. This characteristic makes it a popular choice for creating natural screens or hedges, as it provides a compact and tidy barrier without spreading too wide. Narihira bamboo shows off its distinctive look in each season, with the ability to provide year-round visual appeal. It is a resilient plant that can withstand a variety of conditions, which further adds to its popularity among gardeners and landscape designers seeking a touch of Asian elegance and reliable growth.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Temple Bamboo, Narihira Bamboo, Medake
Common names
Arundinaria fastuosa, Bambusa fastuosa.
ToxicityTo humans
Narihira bamboo, commonly known as Semiarundinaria fastuosa, is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no commonly reported symptoms of poisoning from ingesting parts of this plant.
To pets
Narihira bamboo is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is not commonly associated with symptoms of poisoning in animals such as cats and dogs upon ingestion of any part of the plant.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Height
20 feet (6 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Plant type
Bamboo
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value - Adds aesthetic appeal to gardens with its upright, elegant canes and lush foliage.
- Privacy Screening - Dense growth habit makes it ideal for creating natural privacy screens or hedges.
- Noise Reduction - Can help dampen street noise when planted in dense rows near homes or along property borders.
- Erosion Control - The root system helps stabilize soil and prevents erosion on slopes or riverbanks.
- Windbreak - Acts as a barrier against strong winds, protecting soil and other plants.
- Habitat for Wildlife - Provides shelter and food for birds and small animals.
- Adaptability - Tolerates a range of soil types and environmental conditions once established.
- Low Maintenance - Requires minimal upkeep when compared to other garden plants.
- Year-Round Interest - Retains its foliage throughout the seasons, offering greenery even in winter.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Crafting musical instruments: The canes of Semiarundinaria fastuosa, also known as Temple Bamboo, can be used to make wind instruments such as flutes, due to their hollow structure and strength.
- Furniture making: The strong, flexible canes are sometimes employed in the creation of lightweight and durable bamboo furniture.
- Garden barriers: The dense growth habit of Temple Bamboo makes it an effective living barrier or privacy screen in gardens.
- Noise reduction: Planting Temple Bamboo in groups can help reduce noise pollution, as the dense canes and foliage absorb sound.
- Erosion control: The robust root system of Temple Bamboo helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and banks.
- Art material: The bamboo canes are used by artists for crafting frames, or as a canvas when split and flattened out for paintings or calligraphy.
- Decorative crafts: Small crafts such as lanterns, baskets, and decorative fans can be made from the bamboo's versatile canes and leaves.
- Culinary uses: Young shoots of Temple Bamboo, though not commonly eaten, can be harvested and prepared as a vegetable in some Asian cuisines.
- Support stakes: In agriculture and gardening, the sturdy canes can serve as support stakes for supporting climbing plants or young trees.
- Aquarium decor: Pieces of bamboo from Semiarundinaria fastuosa can be used to create natural-looking habitats and hiding spots in aquariums, after proper treatment to make them safe for aquatic life.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Semiarundinaria fastuosa, commonly known as Narihira bamboo, can be used in Feng Shui to attract positive chi and create a sense of upward growth and movement, symbolizing advancement and prosperity. It can be placed in the wealth corner of a home or office to foster abundance or be used as a natural barrier to correct the flow of energy if needed. Its tall and straight stature is considered to embody wood element characteristics, promoting vitality and growth.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Narihira bamboo is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Elegance: Semiarundinaria fastuosa, commonly known as Temple Bamboo, often symbolizes elegance due to its tall, upright, and graceful form.
- Flexibility: Like many bamboo species, Temple Bamboo represents flexibility as it bends with the wind but doesn't break easily.
- Strength: It's also a symbol of strength and endurance; this bamboo can survive in a variety of climates and conditions.
- Growth: Bamboo is a rapid grower, making Temple Bamboo represent swift growth and advancement.
- Good Fortune: In Asian cultures especially, bamboo is considered to bring good luck; thus, Temple Bamboo can signify good fortune.
- Peace and Tranquility: Due to its association with temples and serene gardens, Temple Bamboo is often seen as a symbol of peace and tranquility.
- Privacy: As it can be used to create natural barriers, Temple Bamboo symbolizes the desire for privacy and seclusion.
WaterThe Narihira bamboo, commonly known as Semiarundinaria fastuosa, prefers consistent moisture but does not like to be waterlogged. Water the plant deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water for each mature clump, to ensure the soil stays moist but not soggy. During hot, dry periods, it may be necessary to water twice a week. Young plants or newly planted specimens will need more frequent watering until established, typically around 2 to 3 times per week. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering.
LightFor Narihira bamboo, full sun to partial shade is optimal. It thrives in a location where it can receive at least four hours of direct sunlight a day but can also benefit from some afternoon shade in hotter climates. This plant is not suited for deep shade as it may become leggy and lose vigor.
TemperatureNarihira bamboo grows best in temperatures ranging from 20 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but it can tolerate temperatures down to around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing conditions are areas where the average temperature is between 30 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant is quite cold-hardy and can withstand intermittent cold snaps.
PruningPruning Narihira bamboo is important for maintaining its shape and encouraging healthy growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before new shoots appear by removing dead or weak canes at ground level to stimulate new cane growth and thin out the clump for airflow. Thin out the foliage as needed to shape the plant and allow light to penetrate to the lower branches. Pruning can be done annually or every other year, depending on the plant's appearance and size.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Narihira bamboo prefers a well-draining soil mix, with a good balance of loam, sand, and organic matter. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from around 5.5 to 7.5. Amend garden soil with compost and sand if planting outdoors to ensure proper drainage.
RepottingNarihira bamboo should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to prevent it from becoming root-bound. Larger specimens can be repotted less frequently, provided they are not showing signs of distress due to constrained root space.
Humidity & MistingNarihira bamboo thrives in moderate to high humidity levels, but it is adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of humidity conditions as long as it's not extremely dry. Aim for a humidity level around 40-50% for optimal growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure bright light, high humidity, and regular watering for Narihira bamboo.
Outdoor
Plant Narihira bamboo in partial shade and protect from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleSemiarundinaria fastuosa, commonly known as Narihira bamboo, begins its life cycle as a seed, germinating to produce a small seedling, which is a rare event as this species often propagates vegetatively. The seedling grows into a young plant with delicate shoots that emerge from the underground rhizomes. As it matures, the bamboo develops a series of culms, or stems, which harden and grow taller over several years, displaying its characteristic upright, dense clumping growth habit. It reaches the reproductive stage when the culms produce branching and foliage, eventually leading to the production of flowers and seeds, although flowering is infrequent and can occur in cycles of many years. After flowering, which is often followed by the death of the flowering culms, the plant may either produce new seedlings or more commonly continue its growth through new shoots from the rhizomes. Throughout its life, Narihira bamboo undergoes continuous renewal with old culms dying off and being replaced by new growth from the rhizome network.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Semiarundinaria fastuosa, commonly referred to as Narihira bamboo, is often propagated via division, which is a popular and effective method for this species. The best time for division is during the early spring before new growth begins. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump of Narihira bamboo, making sure to include a section of the rhizome with at least one culm (stem) attached. Separate a section of the rhizome from the main plant using a sharp, sterilized cutting tool. Each division should have a minimum of two to three healthy shoots or culms. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing originally in well-drained soil, and water thoroughly to help establish the new plants. Providing ample water during the first growing season is essential to ensure the successful establishment of the newly propagated plants.
