Golden Bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea)
Downloadable version coming soon!
Species at a Glance
Golden Bamboo is a perennial, fast-growing, oversized member of the grass family Poaceae. It is commonly purchased in the United States as an ornamental species and is readily available from garden centers and nurseries. Bamboo is aggressive and fast-growing, with an extensive undergrown stem network that can carry a single infestation of Golden Bamboo nearly 10 miles. The dense, nearly impenetrable stands of Golden Bamboo outcompete native vegetation and provide little value to native wildlife.
Species Description
Golden Bamboo reaches a maximum height of 30-40 feet, forming a dense forest that towers over and outcompetes desirable native vegetation. The woody, hollow, jointed stems start out green when young and turn golden yellow with age and sun exposure. The internodes, or the parts of the stem between two joints, are short and swollen at the base of the stem, a characteristic that helps distinguish Golden Bamboo from other bamboo species. Its leaves are slender, lance-shaped, are often arranged in fan-like clusters, and grow about 15 cm (6 in) long.
Native & Introduced Ranges
Native to southeast China, Golden Bamboo was introduced into the United States in 1882 in Montgomery, Alabama, where mature stems were used as fishing poles and walking sticks. It has quickly spread and can be found throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States. Golden Bamboo is not common in Pennsylvania, and distribution data is lacking; however, it has been reported in several isolated locations throughout the state.
Biology & Spread
Golden Bamboo is readily available from commercial nurseries, garden centers, and online sources, making this species easily accessible to property owners who seek a fast-growing alternative for a visual screen or noise barrier in their yards. It easily escapes confinement and spreads to adjacent lands through an extensive network of underground stems, called rhizomes. Rhizomes quickly grow new shoots and spread infestations to new locations. Golden Bamboo can rapidly infest disturbed soils or in other locations where fire has removed competing vegetation, since rhizomes are protected underground. Golden Bamboo only flowers every 7-12 years, and seed production is rarely observed.
Habitat
Golden Bamboo grows best in moist, deep, loamy soils which receive full sun. It is often found along roadsides, lawns, urban landscapes and in residential rights-of-way, but will also tolerate shade and can spread into forested ecosystems and wetlands.
Impacts
Threat to Biodiversity
Golden Bamboo is fast-growing and will invade both natural and human-dominated landscapes. It produces thick, tall monocultures that quickly outcompete native vegetation, allowing little if any growth beneath, and providing little to no valuable habitat for wildlife. Leaf litter from Golden Bamboo found along streams is said to have impacts on litter-feeding invertebrates, altering ecosystem processes and stream food webs.
Economic Costs
Once introduced into urban landscapes, the thick root systems formed by Golden Bamboo can buckle sidewalks and driveways, damage structures, and have a negative impact on property values. It is difficult to control and quickly outcompetes desirable native and ornamental vegetation. It is also known to attract cockroaches in urban areas.
Prevention & Control
Once established, Golden Bamboo is very difficult to eradicate because of its rapid vegetative reproduction. Small infestations in areas where herbicides are not permitted can be controlled by cutting and mowing, although this needs to be repeated several times throughout the growing season since it will readily re-sprout. Large areas of Golden Bamboo can be treated with herbicide, but only where risks to non-target species are minimal. However, chemical treatment does not always produce consistent results. Preventing the introduction and spread of Golden Bamboo is the best way to protect natural habitats from harm. When selecting plants for garden, privacy, or shade purposes, choose species that are native to the region. Never use invasive plants, such as Golden Bamboo, that can escape and damage other areas. Native plants will provide an attractive setting and support native wildlife.
References
K.A. Langeland, H.M. Cherry, et al. 2008. Identification and Biology of Nonnative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas – Second Edition. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 257.
K. A. Langeland, J. A. Ferrell, B. Sellers, G. E. MacDonald, and R. K. Stocker. 2011. Integrated Management of Nonnative Plants in Natural Areas of Florida. University of Florida-IFAS Publication # SP 242.
Maryland Department of Agriculture. 2016. Weed Risk Assessment for Phyllostachys aurea Carr. Ex A. & C. Riviere (Poaceae) – Golden Bamboo.
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania: Golden Bamboo Phyllostachys aurea. Watch List Species Fact Sheet. https://elibrary.dcnr.pa.gov/GetDocument?docId=1738730&DocName=GoldenBamboo.pdf
