Detailed information sheet

Botanical name : Pseudosasa japonica Family : Poaceae (grass) family Common name : Arrow bamboo Also known as : Bamboo Where is it originally from? : Japan, South Korea What does it look like? : Medium-sized, clump-forming perennial bamboo to 5 m tall with round, dark green stems with a white band just below each ring (node) where branches attach to stem and extensive underground root systems. Each branch has 1-7 leaves (35-40 mm wide x 250-300 mm long) and leaf sheaths are hairless, often purplish above, and are longer than the distance between nodes. Flowering can be continuous for several years, flattened grass-like flower spikes (4-9 cm long) are purplish on the exposed side. Are there any similar species? : There are several other bamboo species in New Zealand. Why is it weedy? : Forms very dense stands that exclude all other plants and that spread outwards by rapid growth of the thick rhizomes. How does it spread? : Spread is vegetative by growth of rhizome, viable seed is uncommon. What damage does it do? : Rapidly crowds out other plants as it forms dense stands. Which habitats is it likely to invade? : Scrub, forest margins, riverbanks, roadsides, in or around plantations, urban areas, waste places. What can I do to get rid of it? : 1. Cut down near the ground: Mulch leaves and stems, dig out rhizomes and root mass and dispose of them at a refuse transfer station. 2. Cut down near the ground: Mulch stems and leaves. Allow to resprout, and spray the new growth with Amitrole (333ml/L) or Gallant (150ml/10L) plus penetrant before the regrowth reaches 60 cm tall. Again, allow to resprout and spray the regowth. Usually 4-5 applications are required before it stops resprouting. What can I do to stop it coming back? : Monitor the site for regrowth from roots and rhizomes. Repeat treatments will usually be required. Plant the site with local, native plants to produce shade, but wait 6 months from last herbicide application.

For more detailed botanical descriptions of weed species, check out the Plant Conservation Network's website at http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/exotic_plant_life_and_weeds/index.asp

Click here for Herbicides and Trade names

*The chemical control methods in this manual were devised by Department of Conservation staff for Department of Conservation operations and should not be used as a substitute for the pesticide manufacturer's label instructions. The Department of Conservation takes no responsibility for any liability or damage to any person, property or thing which may occur as a result of the use of any pesticide in accordance with the chemical control methods contained on this website.

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