Plant Details

Phyllostachys edulis

Moso-Chiku, Tortoise shell bamboo

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Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Phyllostachys edulis.

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Common names

21 names · 12 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Moso Bamboo[1]
  • Moso-Chiku
  • Tortoise shell bamboo[1]
Other languages (11)
Dutch
  • Moso bamboo[1]
  • Moso-reuzenbamboe
French
  • Bambou moso
Bunun
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
German
  • Moso-Bambus[1]
Italian
  • bambù edule[1]
Japanese
  • キッコウチク[1]
  • キンメイモウソウチク[1]
  • モウソウチク[1]
+3 more namesShow fewer names
  • 亀甲竹[1]
  • 孟宗竹[1]
  • 金明孟宗竹[1]
Korean
Russian
  • Листоколосник опушённый[1]
Slovak
  • pabambus jedlý[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Phyllostachys edulis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Moso Bamboo — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • tortoise shell bamboo — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • モウソウチク — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 毛竹 — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • キッコウチク — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 孟宗竹 — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 孟宗竹 — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • batakan — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • bambù edule — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • Листоколосник опушённый — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 죽순대 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 龟甲竹 — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 亀甲竹 — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • キンメイモウソウチク — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • 金明孟宗竹 — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • Moso bamboo — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • pabambus jedlý — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.
  • Moso-Bambus — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 122980; Phyllostachys edulis.

General information

Scientific name: Phyllostachys edulis
Accepted name (Kew): Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1] [2]
Botanical family: Poaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Phyllostachys (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Moso-Chiku, Tortoise shell bamboo
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 8.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 6-10
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Shoots, Stem
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(1)
Functions:
Wood, Carbon farming

Description

Young shoots are tasty when cooked but are sharp when eaten raw. Although they are not of the highest quality, they are very popular because of their large size. In China, they are often cooked after being harvested in the spring, when they are about 8 cm above the ground. The shoots are then cut off about 5 cm below ground level. The dormant young shoots that are harvested in winter before they emerge above the ground are considered a delicacy and are particularly valued.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 01/11
Harvest ends: 28/02

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 405378; name ID 434043; Phyllostachys Siebold & Zucc.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 1254720; name ID 434116; Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. Catalogue of Life Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Phyllostachys edulis

    Taxonomic data from WCVP, version 16.0, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. This shares the Kew WCVP evidence base cited on this page.

    Supports: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2611994, ID 77FBJ: Phyllostachys edulis (Carrière) J.Houz. (accepted).

    Source checked on .