Golden BambooGolden BambooPhyllostachys aurea Phyllostachys aurea

(Carr)(Carr) PoaceaePoaceae

Biology Biology • Native to southeast ChinaNative to southeast China

• Introduced for the landscapeIntroduced for the landscape– Visual and noise barriersVisual and noise barriers

• One of the most common One of the most common bamboos in U.S.bamboos in U.S.

• Category II invasive by FLEPPCCategory II invasive by FLEPPC

Distribution & ImpactsDistribution & Impacts

• Commonly found from Maryland to Commonly found from Maryland to Florida, far west as ArkansasFlorida, far west as Arkansas

• Isolated infestations in OregonIsolated infestations in Oregon

• Fast growth and spread, mainly through Fast growth and spread, mainly through rhizomes, quickly displaces native rhizomes, quickly displaces native vegetationvegetation

• Best in full sun but also in open forestsBest in full sun but also in open forests

Golden Bamboo Distribution in Golden Bamboo Distribution in FloridaFlorida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant• Can grow up to Can grow up to

30 feet in height30 feet in height• Green to yellow Green to yellow

stems, swollen stems, swollen internodes at internodes at basebase

• Rhizomes arise Rhizomes arise from side shootsfrom side shoots

LeavesLeaves• Leaves are lanceolateLeaves are lanceolate

–Roughly 15 cm longRoughly 15 cm long

–1 to 2 cm wide1 to 2 cm wide

• Flowers infrequently, Flowers infrequently, may be several may be several decades before decades before flowering occursflowering occurs

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCultural

MechanicalMechanical

BiologicalBiological

ChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental

2.2. Remove existing plants, including Remove existing plants, including resprouts and before seeds are resprouts and before seeds are producedproduced

3.3. Avoid mechanical disturbance in Avoid mechanical disturbance in forested areas – logging, rouging, etc. forested areas – logging, rouging, etc. where golden bamboo fern is presentwhere golden bamboo fern is present

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace golden bambooreplace golden bamboo

2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationthis plant and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are no known biological control There are no known biological control

agents available for golden bamboo agents available for golden bamboo management in Florida or the management in Florida or the southeastern U.S.southeastern U.S.

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull young plants, including all Hand pull young plants, including all

rhizomes, repeated pulling for rhizomes, repeated pulling for resproutsresprouts

2.2. Mowing or cutting is effective, but must Mowing or cutting is effective, but must be repeated to control resproutsbe repeated to control resprouts

3.3. Tillage, although likely impractical, will Tillage, although likely impractical, will be very effectivebe very effective

Chemical - FoliarChemical - Foliar1.1. Over-the-top applications of Over-the-top applications of

glyphosate at 2 to 3% solution plus glyphosate at 2 to 3% solution plus 0.5% surfactant 0.5% surfactant

2.2. Thoroughly wet leaves and stems Thoroughly wet leaves and stems with herbicidewith herbicide

3.3. Retreatment will be necessary for Retreatment will be necessary for complete eradicationcomplete eradication

Chemical - WipeChemical - Wipe1.1. Cut stems and allow for 2 to 4 feet of Cut stems and allow for 2 to 4 feet of

regrowth regrowth

2.2. Apply (wipe) 100% glyphosate along Apply (wipe) 100% glyphosate along the entire stem – use heavy cloth and the entire stem – use heavy cloth and rubber glovesrubber gloves

3.3. Will likely require retreatmentWill likely require retreatment

Chemical – Cut StumpChemical – Cut Stump

1.1. Individual trees, near desirable speciesIndividual trees, near desirable species

2.2. Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near Cut trunks/stems horizonally at or near ground levelground level

3.3. Apply 25% solution of glyphosate Apply 25% solution of glyphosate

4.4. Cover the outer 20% of the stumpCover the outer 20% of the stump

5.5. Marker (blue) dye is helpful Marker (blue) dye is helpful

Useful LinksUseful Links• Floridata Homepage:

http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm

• University of Florida Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants: http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html

• University of Florida’s Cooperative Extension Electronic Data Information Source: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/index.html

Useful LinksUseful Links• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien

Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm

• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER). Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems: http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm

• Invasive Plants of the Eastern United States: http://www.invasive.org

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp