First Record of Seedling-Originated Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (Poaceae) Stand in Japan

Abstract

Phyllostachys nigra var. henonis (Poaceae) is a useful bamboo as foods and daily living materials, and has been planted across Japan. Its flowering cycle is believed to be 120 years, and flowering events have shown extremely low seed set rates, with no clear records of seedling regeneration under natural conditions. However, it is considered possible to cultivate seedlings if seeds can be secured. This paper reports the first record of a seedling- originated P. nigra var. henonis bamboo stand in a farm at Tochigi Prefecture, along with its current status.