Humilis has an upright habit, graceful proportions and seems to be relatively tolerant of lean growing conditions. This timber bamboo from Taiwan dosen't look ready to grow as large in Oregon as these numbers indicate, but it is hardy here, and the strength of the culm wood in impressive. Ueda found that makinoi had the best fiber length of any hardy bamboo tested. Makinoi may need a hot microclimate and irrigation to do its best in my area, but its hardiness is at least equal to P. bambusoides. The canes strong and fine quality, and while growing, turn from green to a tawny gold as translucent as any bamboo that grows here.
New culms are green, and darken over the next year or two to chocolate brown or ebony black.
Thin walled but strong, the culms have many uses. The only undesirable characteristic is a tendency to lean out from the grove, especially with rain or snow. Not pure black, the culms develop spots or patches of the dark color. In Japan, this bamboo is used for tea house rafters and special utensils. All of the P. nigra group seem to appreciate heavy clay soils.