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Chimonobambusa quadrangularis (Square Bamboo) - A medium-sized running bamboo from China that grows erect to 15 to 20 feet tall with 1 to 1 1/2 inch wide dark green to gray-green rough-textured culms. The attractive large mid-green leaves (darkest in the shade) appear in the second year of growth and drape gracefully downward in an umbrella shape from several levels of branches near the top of the culm. The thick-walled culms are unique in that they are flattened on opposite sides to form a rounded corner yet square shape overall when transected, giving this plant the common name Square Bamboo. Another interesting feature is the large culm joint nodes which are rough to the touch with thorn-like nubs that become spine-like areal roots near the culm base.
Plant in full coastal sun to light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Plants in hotter climates, or if not regularly watered, will drop leaves – in our cooler coastal garden we water it once a month or less later spring through fall. The American Bamboo Society states that this plant is hardy to 15° F, but others say to 10° F. It reportedly tolerates sea breezes with some protection.
Chimonobambusa quadrangularis comes from China Southeast, Taiwan and Vietnam. It was first introduced into cultivation in 1920 for the bamboo collection at Cibodas Botanic Garden (CGB), The name for the genus comes from the Greek word 'cheimonas' meaning "winter" (the same root word as for the Japanese word "kimono") combined with 'bambusa' from the Dutch word 'bamboes' or 'bamboo' that was a modification of Malay word 'bambu' in reference to the winter emerging new culms and the specific epithet the Latin term for "having four angles" or "quadrangular" in reference to the square culms.
We purchased a plant at a American Bamboo Society sale and planted it in our nursery garden in the mid 1980's – We now have a large stand that we have partially contained to an area 40 feet long by 15 feet wide with culms emerging annually 20 feet off to any side which are cut to the ground. It is a beautiful bamboo, but it should be contained by a full depth root barrier or by selective irrigation that surrounds the desired area of the planting with a wide unirrigated section. The stout culms can be used for many purposes and the new shoots are edible. We long have had this plant in the garden and sold it in the nursery from 2009 until 2018.
Information displayed on this page about Chimonobambusa quadrangularis is based on our research conducted about this plant in our nursery library as well as from information provided by reliable online resources. We also include our own observations made about it as it has grown in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers in our nursery field. We will also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.
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