rivier

Bambusa multiplex (Lour.) Raeuschel ex J.A. & J.H. Schultes
Common name: Pai Liang, Phek, Pai Sang Phrai, Pai Ciang Phrai, (Smitinand, 2001) Hedge
Bamboo, Chinese Dwarf Bamboo (Ohrnberger, 1999)
B. multiplex is only known in cultivation but assumed to have originated in northern Indo-China and
southern China. It has been used as an ornamental for centuries and has more than 20 cultivars.
(Dransfield, 1995)

Bambusa Multiplex Origins are unknown as it has been in cultivation for so long. It probably
originated in Indo-China and Southern China. A densely tufted sympodial bamboo. Culms are 1 to
2.5 centimeters in diameter and 2.5 to 7 meters tall. Relatively thick walls, hollow culms with
non-swollen nodes each bearing up to 20 branches with one vaguely prominent branch. Culm
internodes are 30-50 cm in length and glaborous, smooth, white and waxy when young. This bamboo
exhibits quite a bit of variation among its various cultivars. Culm sheath 12-15 cm long and 6-8 cm
wide. The sheath turns from light green to reddish brown to straw color when mature. Smooth,
glaborous, apex rounded with one side lower than the other. Blade persistent to the sheath, 9-12 cm
long, erect, acuminate, or tapering to the tip, the base is attached to the sheath along the rounded top.
The blade is unequal or oblique with an auricle like structure at each side, each bearing short
bristles. The ligule is less than 0.5mm long and irregularly toothed. Leaves are usually at the end of
the branch, 6-13 in number. Sheath glaborous with small auricles bearing fine bristles up to 5mm
long. Ligule less than 0.5mm long. Most leaf blades are 7-12cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide, rounded at
the base, dark green and glaborous on the upper surface, glaucous and slightly hairy on the
underside. Inflorescence terminates as leafy branch or ultimately resulting in the elongate clusters of
several pseudo spikelets at the node of a leafless branch. Spikelets are linear-lanceolate, 3-4 cm
long, having 2 glumes and up to 10 florets, the ultimate one rudimentary. Flowering may vary with
cultivar (Dransfield, 1995).