Yellow Groove Bamboo (Phyllostachys aureosulcata)
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Yellow groove bamboo is a highly invasive, commonly planted nonnative species in Monroe County. It spreads rapidly from rhizomes and can grow up to 3' per day. Also known as yellow grove or golden bamboo, its powerful roots can buckle sidewalks and driveways. Learn how to identify and control this problem species!
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Identification: Yellow groove bamboos typically has a yellow groove on the culm (stem), located on every other internode (the space between branch attachments). This characteristic is found only on young culms and fades after two years.
The leaves are lance-shaped, olive-green, and 3-6 inches long. Yellow groove bamboo can reach 15-25 feet in height and resembles a narrow tree with short, thin side branches. The stems are hollow, up to 1.5" in diameter in Indiana. Rhizomes spread from the culms to create impenetrable stands of bamboo.
Impacts: Like all running bamboos, the species forms a dense monoculture and thick layer of leaf litter that inhibits and often eliminates native plants. Biodiversity is decreased and the ecosystem of the infested area altered. Blackbirds and starling species often roost in Phyllostachys stands. Through their accumulated droppings they serve as vectors for the human respiratory disease, Histoplasmosis. In severe winters, stalks may die to the ground, to be replaced by new fast-growing stalks in spring.
Control:
The most effective way to control yellow groove bamboo is to cut all the stems close to the ground, then spray the resprouts with 1% imazapyr plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant, repeating on any resprouts until it is dead. However, this chemical may injure nearby trees or vegetation. Another alternative is to cut all the stems close to the ground and then use 3% glyphosate plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant. Continue spraying resprouts that appear from the stems until no more appear, more repeated treatments will be required if using glyphosate. It can also be controlled by cutting the stems close to the ground and then painting the cut stem with 50% glyphosate right after cutting the plant; this can be a tedious method when there are many, small stems to deal with.
To control it without chemicals, the stems must be cut to the ground a minimum of five times per year for several years or the roots must be excavated.
Disposal Options for Bamboo:
1. For large bamboo poles, remove leaves and roots, cut to no longer than 6 or 7' long, and contact the People's Market by emailing both [email protected] and [email protected] to have them picked up for reuse.
2. Grind up poles and fill yard waste bags, then drop off at Good Earth for $1/bag or have City Sanitation pick them up.
3. Drop off truck loads of mulched or intact poles at Good Earth for $16/load
4. Burning outside of city limits.
The leaves are lance-shaped, olive-green, and 3-6 inches long. Yellow groove bamboo can reach 15-25 feet in height and resembles a narrow tree with short, thin side branches. The stems are hollow, up to 1.5" in diameter in Indiana. Rhizomes spread from the culms to create impenetrable stands of bamboo.
Impacts: Like all running bamboos, the species forms a dense monoculture and thick layer of leaf litter that inhibits and often eliminates native plants. Biodiversity is decreased and the ecosystem of the infested area altered. Blackbirds and starling species often roost in Phyllostachys stands. Through their accumulated droppings they serve as vectors for the human respiratory disease, Histoplasmosis. In severe winters, stalks may die to the ground, to be replaced by new fast-growing stalks in spring.
Control:
The most effective way to control yellow groove bamboo is to cut all the stems close to the ground, then spray the resprouts with 1% imazapyr plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant, repeating on any resprouts until it is dead. However, this chemical may injure nearby trees or vegetation. Another alternative is to cut all the stems close to the ground and then use 3% glyphosate plus 1/2% non-ionic surfactant. Continue spraying resprouts that appear from the stems until no more appear, more repeated treatments will be required if using glyphosate. It can also be controlled by cutting the stems close to the ground and then painting the cut stem with 50% glyphosate right after cutting the plant; this can be a tedious method when there are many, small stems to deal with.
To control it without chemicals, the stems must be cut to the ground a minimum of five times per year for several years or the roots must be excavated.
Disposal Options for Bamboo:
1. For large bamboo poles, remove leaves and roots, cut to no longer than 6 or 7' long, and contact the People's Market by emailing both [email protected] and [email protected] to have them picked up for reuse.
2. Grind up poles and fill yard waste bags, then drop off at Good Earth for $1/bag or have City Sanitation pick them up.
3. Drop off truck loads of mulched or intact poles at Good Earth for $16/load
4. Burning outside of city limits.
While currently not on the Indiana Invasive Plant List, yellow groove bamboo is a very invasive species in Monroe County and is on the City of Bloomington B.M.C. Title 20 list of prohibited species. Under Title 6, it's a violation to plant or maintain a plant species which is prohibited under federal, state, or local regulations at a height in excess of 8 inches.