moso bamboo

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• moso bamboo
• tortoise-shell bamboo
• tortoise shell bamboo

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Sinarundinaria pubescens
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. subconvexa
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. taokiang
• Phyllostachys heterocycla var. pubescens
• Phyllostachys mitis var. heterocycla
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. quadrangulata
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. nabeshimana
• Phyllostachys edulis f. purpureosulcata
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. anjiensis
• Bambusa heterocycla
• Sinarundinaria pubescens f. nabeshimana
• Sinarundinaria pubescens var. bicolor
• Phyllostachys edulis f. aureovariegata
• Phyllostachys edulis f. abbreviatus
• Phyllostachys edulis f. epruinosa
• Phyllostachys edulis f. gimmei
• Phyllostachys edulis f. anjiensis
• Phyllostachys edulis f. gracilis
• Phyllostachys edulis f. heterocycla
• Phyllostachys edulis f. holochrysa
• Phyllostachys edulis f. huamozhu
• Phyllostachys edulis f. lutea
• Phyllostachys edulis f. luteosulcata
• Phyllostachys edulis f. nabeshimana
• Phyllostachys edulis f. obliguinoda
• Phyllostachys edulis f. obtusangula
• Phyllostachys edulis f. quadrangulata
• Phyllostachys edulis f. rigida
• Phyllostachys edulis f. subconvexa
• Phyllostachys edulis f. tubiformis
• Phyllostachys edulis f. ventricosa
• Phyllostachys edulis f. venusta
• Phyllostachys edulis f. viridisulcata
• Phyllostachys edulis var. heterocycla
• Phyllostachys heterocycla
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. aureovariegata
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. bicolor
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. gimmei
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. huamozhu
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. luteosulcata
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. obliquinoda
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. oboro
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. obtusangula
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. pubescens
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. tubiformis
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. ventricosa
• Phyllostachys heterocycla f. viridosulcata
• Phyllostachys pubescens
• Phyllostachys pubescens var. taokiang
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. aureovariegata
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. bicolor
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. holochrysa
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. huamozhu
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. lutea
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. luteosulcata
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. nabeshimana
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. obtusangula
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. quadrangulata
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. tubiformis
• Phyllostachys pubescens f. viridosulcata
• Phyllostachys pubescens var. biconvexa
• Phyllostachys pubescens var. heterocycla
• Phyllostachys pubescens var. nabeshimana
• Phyllostachys edulis f. purpureoculmis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Phyllostachys edulis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions within East Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, North-Central, and Southeast territories. Beyond mainland China, the species extends its range into the island nation of Japan. Additionally, it is found growing within the Korean Peninsula. Together, these locations highlight a wide geographical footprint throughout the eastern part of the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phyllostachys edulis is characterized by its ability to thrive within anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), where it frequently colonizes landscapes modified by human activity. This species demonstrates a high degree of adaptability to disturbed environments, often integrating into urban gardens, managed parks, and landscaped residential zones. Its presence in these human-altered habitats is facilitated by its vigorous rhizomatous growth habit, which allows it to establish dominance in cultivated soils and compete effectively within fragmented ecosystems. By occupying these anthropized spaces, the plant plays a functional role in local microclimates and soil stabilization within human settlements, despite being introduced or managed within these non-natural settings.

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Phyllostachys edulis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to establish long-term dominance within its ecosystem through a persistent underground rhizome system. As a perennial species, it avoids the seasonal die-back typical of annuals, instead investing energy into a robust network of subterranean structures that facilitate continuous growth and vegetative expansion over many years. This life cycle enables the plant to undergo periodic, vigorous shooting phases where new culms emerge from the rhizomes, contributing to the gradual thickening and spreading of the bamboo grove. Through this enduring biological strategy, the plant maintains structural stability and resource reserves, ensuring its ability to persist and thrive across multiple growing seasons.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phyllostachys edulis is characterized by a woody, graminoid growth form that functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and is strictly terrestrial in its habitat, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic tendencies. It is not an epiphyte, maintaining a stable terrestrial existence throughout its lifecycle. The plant develops a robust, woody architecture capable of reaching a maximum height of 15 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

15 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phyllostachys edulis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
2. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Phyllostachys edulis has 12 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Compound 2, Ethylparaben, Orientin, SYRINGIC ACID, Syringic aldehyde.

Compound 2

1. Scientific reports

Ethylparaben

1. Scientific reports

Orientin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

SYRINGIC ACID

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Syringic aldehyde

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Vanillic acid

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Vitexin

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

benzoic acid

1. Scientific reports

p-Hydroxybenzaldehyde

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

polyphenols

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Phyllostachys edulis has 1 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Phyllostachys edulis has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cough, type 2 diabetes.

Cough

1. Scientific reports

Type 2 diabetes

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Phyllostachys edulis has 7 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include A extract, bark nonpolar extract, conventional extraction method, ethyl acetate extract, leaves.

A extract

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Bark nonpolar extract

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics

Conventional extraction method

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Leaves

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Microwave-assisted extraction (mae)

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Nonpolar fractions of the bamboo shoot skin

1. Journal of biomolecular structure & dynamics