Herb latin name: Sasamorpha borealis


Synonyms: Arundinaria purpurascens, Bambusa borealis, Sasa borealis, Sasa purpurascens, Sasamorpha purpurascens


Family: Gramineae (Grass Family)



Edible parts of Sasamorpha borealis:

Seed - cooked. It is used as a cereal. The seed is only produced at intervals of several years.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Bamboo

Height:
3 m
(9 3/4 foot)

Habitat of the herb:

Woodlands and damp hollows all over Japan.

Propagation of Sasamorpha borealis:

Seed - if possible, surface sow the seed as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse at about 20°C. Stored seed is best sown as soon as it is received. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Germination usually takes place fairly quickly so long as the seed is of good quality, though it can take 3 - 6 months. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a lightly shaded place in the greenhouse until large enough to plant out, which could be a few years. Plants only flower at intervals of several years and so seed is rarely available. Division in late spring as new growth commences. Take divisions with at least three canes in the clump, trying to cause as little root disturbance to the main plant as possible. Grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse in pots of a high fertility sandy medium. Mist the foliage regularly until plants are established. Plant them out into their permanent positions when a good root system has developed, which can take a year or more.

Cultivation of the herb:

Woodlands and damp hollows all over Japan.

Medicinal use of Sasamorpha borealis:

None known

Known hazards of Sasamorpha borealis:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.