A smaller form of the species adapted to growing in wet areas. This is one of the smaller bamboos of the species with culms that turn golden yellow in the sun. Makes a nice garden bamboo. Heigth 25 feet Dia. Sun to Partial Sun Phyllostachys arcana - The culms on this bamboo often turn very dark on the lower portion where they are exposed to sunlight.
Some culms have an ocassional zig-zag.
It is said to tolerate a high water table. It is the bamboo I find most often when I stop to examine a new grove I've discovered. It is easily identified by the irregular, closely spaced, or distorted nodes near the base. It grows quite thick with low branches, making a fine screen. This bamboo is used to make fishing poles.