PSEUDOSASA japonica

Elegant semi-woody rhizomatous, perennial and evergreen, with a graceful bushy habit, native to eastern Asia and belonging to the Poaceae family: with rapid growth, it can reach and exceed even 4 m in height and expand much more in width. It is equipped with a powerful root system. It has a robust underground organ that can extend practically indefinitely. Thin and dense semi-woody stems rise, soft green when young and light brown when adults. It can reach a maximum diameter of 2 cm. The stems are covered at the bottom with old papyrus-like and golden leaf sheaths, and at the top they have, sheathed one with the other, large linear-lanceolate leaves, with regular margins and acute apex, of an intense bright green color, thin smooth and hairless, usually sloping softly downwards. The greenish flowers, collected in short spiked inflorescences in apical position, and consequently the fruits, are very rare to observe on cultivated plants, as they appear at intervals even of 60 years, usually developing at the beginning of summer.

It adapts to life both in the sun and in shady positions, where it grows less compactly; it tolerates any type of soil, but prefers fertile, moist and well-drained ones. It is able to withstand long periods of intense frost; once well rooted, acclimatized and developed, it can survive even long-lasting dry seasons unscathed, although occasional watering in summer can only facilitate its correct growth. It is not very resistant to wind, especially to the brackish type of coastal locations, which can damage the delicate foliage making it unsightly: therefore, it is recommended to plant it in sheltered positions in regions where strong air currents may be present. In spring, at the vegetative restart, it may be convenient to remove dry, broken or out of place canes and thin out, if necessary, the live ones to stimulate the emission of new young stems. Long-lived and not subject to particular diseases, it is recommended for cultivation in large containers on terraces and balconies, but above all it is ideal in the open ground of parks and large gardens to create large groups or evergreen hedges and barriers with a decidedly exotic flavor.