Rhizomatous bamboo (Phyllostachys species)
Also known as:
running bamboo
Rhizomatous bamboo is a hardy plant. It forms an impenetrable network of roots and heavy leaf litter.
Profile
How does this weed affect you?
Rhizomatous bamboo is extremely invasive in a range of climates. It has been used as an ornamental plant in Australia, but easily escapes cultivation and spreads to form an impenetrable network of roots and heavy leaf litter. There are around 30 species of Phyllostachys, all of Asian origin.
What does it look like?
Rhizomatous bamboo is a member of the grass family. Its stems are flattened and grooved in cross section, and its leaves have a network pattern of veins (unlike Bambusa species, which have a round, grooveless stem cross-section, and parallel veins on their leaf blades).
How does it spread?
Rhizomatous bamboo spreads rapidly. It can produce erect shoots from the entire length of its rhizomes (underground stems), resulting in many loosely clumped shoots over large areas. It can be spread through rhizome fragments in dumped garden waste.
References
Auld, B. and Medd, R. (1987), Weeds: An illustrated botanical guide to the weeds of Australia, Department of Agriculture New South Wales, Inkata Press, Melbourne.
More information
Control
Herbicide options
WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 200 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Spot spray application.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part per 1.5 parts of water
Comments: Cut stump application.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
Biosecurity duty
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
| Area | Duty |
|---|---|
| All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.
Reviewed 2020
