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Rhizomatous Bamboo
Botanical name: Phyllostachys spp.
Noxious Weed Category: Class 4
Rhizomatous Management Plan
Description
Originating from Asia, there are two common forms of Bamboo: running and clumping . Both are known as Bambusa.
Clumping bamboos (Arundinaria spp) spread slowly from the centre, but running bamboos (Phyllostachys spp.) are invasive and spread rapidly, and they have been declared noxious in Sydney North.
Running Bamboos are woody plants to 6m high with underground runners (rhizomes). Cultivated as ornamentals, they may become weeds in gardens, bushland and wasteland. Two common forms of running bamboos are Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) and Black Bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra).
Bamboos have rounded woody stems. Golden Bamboo stems are up to 5m high, they are yellowish, slightly flattened and grooved. Black Bamboo stems are up to 8m, and become shiny black with age. Leaves are long, yellow to green and strap-like with parallel veins, but there are also variegated and dwarf forms Flowers rarely appear (at intervals of over 100 years). It steadily increases in size by vegetative growth from the root mass.
Dispersal
Produces erect shoots from rhizomes forming loosely clumped shoots over large areas. Often dumped.
Impact on bushland
This weed is extremely invasive and poses a substantial threat to the environment. It creates an impenetrable network of roots, heavy leaf litter and dense shade. Due to this plant's invasive nature and the problems that it poses to neighbouring properties, treatment to contain this weed must start immediately. This weed is invading our bushland areas through escaping from properties or being dumped. Bamboo infestations can lead to restriction of access to fence lines for maintenance and can present a fire risk.
Control
Manual:
- Carefully dig the base of the plant, rhizome (underground stem) and roots out of the ground and dispose of at the tip.
- Fill the hole and mulch the area to discourage any regrowth from any remaining stem fragments.
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Containment: Council will only issue weed control notices for the removal of Bamboo if the plant is growing within 10 metres of bushland. Council will not participate in negotiations or disputes between neighbouring property owners. See the Bamboo Management Plan for more details.
Similar species
Golden and Black Bamboo may be safely replaced by clumping bamboo species, which are decorative and easy to control. Bush friendly natives such as Banksias, Hakeas and Grevilleas also provide good screening and windbreaks, and good habitat.
References
Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland, Blue Mountains City Council and NPWS Blue Mountains
Making Your Garden Bush Friendly, Lynne McLoughlin and Judith Rawling