golden bamboo
(Phyllostachys aurea)
This species is Introduced in the United States
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.
Citations
Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Northeast and Northcentral United States. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-04. Retrieved from https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-04_New%20Invaders_NE.pdf
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
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group
- Delaware Invasive Species Council
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 2
- Invasive Plant Species of West Virginia
- 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
- Non-Native Invasive Plants of the City of Alexandria, 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 Invasive Pest Council
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Subfamily: Bambusoideae |
| Tribe: Arundinarieae |
| Genus: Phyllostachys |
| Phyllostachys aurea |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.