BAMBUSA (from bambu, the Malay name). Bamboo Cane. ORD. Gramineae. A genus of ornamental, shrubby, greenhouse, half-hardy or hardy shrubs, each culm flowering but once. Flowers usually hexandrous. Leaves, as a rule, relatively shorter than the stems, lanceolate, and narrowed at the base. Stems jointed, flexuose, branching, usually hollow, and, when mature, of a hard, woody nature. In well drained, sheltered situations, in the open, with rich, loamy soil, some of the species make extremely graceful objects, particularly so in the more southern counties of England, and in parts of Scotland. Unless a very severe winter is experienced, they may be left without protection. Plants of all the species, however, should have the shelter of a cold greenhouse till about the end of April; when they should be gradually hardened off, and transferred to a warm, sheltered spot, such as in woodlands, by the margins of lakes, &c., as they like plenty of moisture during the summer. A good watering must be given after planting, to settle the soil. Propagation is effected by careful division of well-developed plants, which should be done in early spring, just as new growth is commencing; and it is advisable to establish the divisions in pots. See also Arundinaria. BAMBUSA arundinacea (Reed-like).* Stem very stout, rising like a beautiful column to some 50ft. or 60ft. in height; the laterals producing a profusion of light green leaves, the whole presenting the appearance of a huge plume of feathers. India, 1730. This species is best treated as a stove plant, but it may be placed out of doors in summer. (B. F. S. 321.) BAMBUSA aurea (golden).* l. lanceolate, acute, light green, distinguished from BAMBUSA nana by having their under surface less glaucescent, and the sheath always devoid of the long silky hairs. China. This very handsome species forms elegant tufts, with its slender much-branched stems, which attain a height of from 6ft. to 10ft., and are of a light green colour in a young state, ultimately changing into a yellowish hue. Hardy in most parts of the country. BAMBUSA Castilloni (Castillon's). l. variegated. Stems square, curiously variegated, one side of each internode being dark green, and the other side yellow, these colours alternating at the next internode. Japan, 1886. Hardy. (R. H. 1886, p. 513.) BAMBUSA Fortunei (Fortune's).* l. linear-lanceolate, abruptly pointed, somewhat rounded at the base, on very short hairy stalks, serrated and often fringed with long hairs on the margin, downy on both sides, and distinctly variegated, the transverse veins often of a bottle-green colour. h. 1ft. to 2ft. Japan. A dwarf tufted species, with very slender stem. Quite hardy. There are only variegated varieties of this in cultivation, viz., variegata and argenteovittata. (F. d. S. 1863, t. 1535.) BAMBUSA glauca (milky-green). A synonym of BAMBUSA nana. BAMBUSA japonica (Japanese). Synonymous with Arundinaria Metake. BAMBUSA Maximowiczii (Maximowicz's). Synonymous with Arundinaria Maximowiczii. BAMBUSA Metake (Metake). Synonymous with Arundinaria Metake. BAMBUSA mitis (small). l. deep green, lanceolate, acute, striated, clasping the stem; panicle simple, erect, close; spikes long, imbricated. Stem tapering. h. 40ft. Cochin China and Japan. This vigorous-growing species can be cultivated out of doors during summer, and, in most localities, it may be left out all the year. BAMBUSA nana (dwarf).* l. lanceolate, acute, glaucous, stoutish, with the footstalks slightly downy. h. 6ft. to 8ft. India, 1826. A rather tender species, requiring to be grown in the stove or greenhouse. SYNS. BAMBUSA glauca and BAMBUSA viridi-glaucescens. BAMBUSA nigra (black). See Phyllostachys nigra. BAMBUSA Ragamowski (Ragamowsk's).* l. 9in. to 18in. long, and about 1in. to 3in. broad. China and Japan. This species "can readily be recognized by the tomentose line on one side of the midrib, running nearly the whole length of the leaf on the underside, this line being always on the longer side of the leaf." Hardy. SYN. BAMBUSA tessellata. BAMBUSA Simonii (Simon's).* l. narrow, nearly 6in. to 10in. long, occasionally striped with white. Stems growing with great rapidity, mealy-glaucous at the joints; branchlets numerous, rather closely crowded. h. 10ft. China and Japan, 1866. BAMBUSA striata (striated).* l. linear-oblong; culms striped yellow and green. h. 6ft. to 20ft. China, 1874. A very slender and graceful, rather tender, species. May be grown in the open air during summer, and in very favoured spots it is probably hardy, especially if covered with a mat in winter. It makes an excellent pot plant. SYN. BAMBUSA virdi-striata. (B. M. 6079.) BAMBUSA tessellata (tessellated). A synonym of BAMBUSA Ragamowski. BAMBUSA violescens (nearly-violet).* l. green above, bluish-grey beneath, with an elongated ligule, surrounded by a bundle of black hairs. Stems much branched, blackish-violet. China, 1869. This handsome and vigorous species is intermediate between Phyllostachys nigra and BAMBUSA nana. It requires protection during winter. BAMBUSA viridi-glaucescens (glaucous-green). A synonym of BAMBUSA nana. BAMBUSA viridi-striata (green-striped). A synonym of BAMBUSA striata BAMBUSA Wieseneri (Wiesener's). Stems brownish-black or dark olive-green. Japan, 1887. Garden variety. A fine, hardy Bamboo, resembling in habit and vigour Arundianria japonica (this being the correct name of the plant described on p. 118, Vol. I., as A. Metake).