Phyllostachys sulphurea aka Sulphur Bamboo

Phyllostachys sulphurea is an evergreen bamboo in the grass family, Poaceae. Its common names include sulphur bamboo and Ougon-Kouchiku. Kew places its native range in eastern China. Plants For A Future also lists central China. That source describes the plant as a form raised in gardens. It reports no known habitat in a truly wild state. These accounts leave some doubt about its wild origins.

The plant keeps its leaves through the year. In cultivation, it reaches about 20 feet [6 metres] tall. Plants can exceed this height in warmer parts of Britain. Its canes, called culms, are hard but can break easily. People use them for building and for farm-tool handles. The supplied species account gives no detailed leaf description. It also gives no mature width for garden plants.

Grow this bamboo in rich soil with shelter from harsh weather. Give it ample water while it makes new growth. It prefers damp ground, though it can withstand dry spells. It accepts sandy soil, loam, and clay. It also grows in mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline ground. Full sun and partial shade both suit it. Woodland edges and lightly shaded gardens offer possible planting sites. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. It reports cold tolerance near −20°C, but warns against long spells of hard frost. Long, cold springs can delay the growth of new canes.

Flowers appear only after gaps of many years. Each flower has both male and female parts. Wind carries the pollen between flowers. Flowering draws heavily on the plant's stored resources. Plants may weaken badly and can die afterward. The evidence gives no regular flowering season or fruit description. Plants For A Future reports resistance to honey fungus. It names no other pest or disease problems.

Seed is scarce, so spring division offers another way to propagate plants. Divisions need care because plants lifted from open ground transplant poorly. Keep them protected in pots while they recover. Plants For A Future lists the stem as an edible part. Yet it gives an edibility score of zero and describes no food use. It records no known hazards and no medicinal uses. These records do not establish that every part is safe to eat.