Phyllostachys nuda

Phyllostachys nuda is an evergreen bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. Its common name is nude sheath bamboo. Kew places its native range in southeastern China. Plants For A Future also lists several Chinese provinces and Taiwan. It records mountain habitats in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Hunan. This is a plant of temperate regions. It keeps its leaves throughout the year.

Plants For A Future gives a height of about 16 feet [5 metres]. Its woody canes have thick walls and hard stems. These canes have many uses, though their quality has limits. They can serve as plant supports and farm tool handles. Other uses include umbrella shafts and legs for desks and chairs. The plant also has a place in woodland gardens. Suggested sites include dappled shade and the edges of shaded areas.

Grow it in rich, moist soil in a sheltered spot. It needs plenty of moisture during the growing season. It accepts sandy, loamy and clay soils. It also tolerates mildly acid, neutral and mildly alkaline conditions. Full sun and partial shade both suit it. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 7–10. It reports survival at temperatures down to about −8°F [−22°C]. However, long spells of hard frost can cause problems. The same source reports strong resistance to honey fungus.

Flowers appear only after gaps of many years. Each flower has both male and female parts. Wind carries the pollen. Flowering draws heavily on the plant's stored energy as seeds form. The plant can become weak and may die afterward. Plants left undisturbed will often recover. Seed is scarce, so spring division offers another way to propagate it. Divisions need care, since plants lifted from open ground transplant poorly.

The young shoots are edible raw or cooked. Plants For A Future rates their food value highly. Raw shoots can have a slight acrid taste. Brief boiling makes them suitable for use in salads. Harvest takes place in spring while shoots remain short. The source also lists stems among the edible parts. It reports no known hazards, but this is not a full safety assessment. It lists no known medicinal use. Beyond food, the canes provide useful material for simple garden and farm tasks.