Bambusa multiplex (Lour.) Raeusch. ex J.A. & J.H.Schult., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Evaluate; score: 5 (Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment for Bambusa multiplex)

Other Latin names:  Arundo multiplex Lour.; Bambos nana var. alphonso-karri (Mitford) Makina; Bambusa alphonse-karrii Mitford ex Satow; Bambusa argentea Nehrl.; Bambusa glaucescens (Willd.) Siebold ex Holttum; Bambusa glaucescens var. riviereorum Bambusa glaucescens var. riviereorum; Bambusa nana Roxb.; Bambusa nana var. alphonso-karri Lat.-Marl. ex E G. Camus; Ludolfia glaucescens Willd.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: Chinese dwarf bamboo, Chinese-goddess bamboo, Oriental hedge bamboo, golden goddess bamboo, hedge bamboo

Habit:  shrub-like grass

Description:  "Shrubby bamboo 1-15' tall; stems usu arching over, 0.12-1.75" ⌀, hollow (solid in cultivars), yellow when mature, with white waxy bloom below joints, bran several per joint. Lfsheaths smooth, without lobes, persistent; blades usu 10-12 per twig, lanceolate, 1.75-4.25" x 0.12-0.25", underside with whitish bloom. Infl rare (if produced, usu deformed). . . .B. multiplex is a dwarf bamboo distincive for its small leaves with glaucous, whitish undersides. This species, considered the most common hedge bamboo grown in Southeast Asia. . . . . . .flowers infrequently, and when it does the flowers are peculiarly deformed, with carpel-like structures in place of stamens. . . An enormously variable species. . . ." (A Tropical Garden Flora, p. 743)

See also GrassBase.

Habitat/ecology:  (no habitat/ecology info known by PIER)

Propagation:  in cultivation: "Propagation is by division of rhizomes from mature clumps or by stem cuttings." (A Tropical Garden Flora, p. 743)

Native range:  "Native to a small area in southern China" (A Tropical Garden Flora, p. 743)

"probable origin s.e. Asia" (GRIN)

"Indigenous to South China." (Sykes, 1970, p. 234)

Impacts and invaded habitats:  (no invaded habitats or impacts known by PIER; please let us know if you know of such information we should add here)

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced cultivated	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (pp. 233-234) "Young plants of this species were on trial and were growing vigorously, but their ultimate height is uncertain. Bambusa multiplex and B. malingensis were among a collection of bamboos distributed from Fiji by the South Pacific Commission, the stock having been sent from Puerto Rico by the United States Department of Agriculture." (p. 234)
Niue Niue	Niue Island		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
New Zealand New Zealand	North Island (NZ)		Consortium of Pacific Herbaria (2018)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Comments:  Used as a windbreak on Pacific islands (Agroforestry Guides for Pacific Islands, p. 218)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Bambusa multiplex, please let us know.