Phyllostachys vivax
Giant Timber Bamboo, Running giant bamboo
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Phyllostachys vivax.
Plant photos
2 photos · Select to enlarge
A stand of Phyllostachys vivax f. aureocaulis with yellow culms.
D-Kuru / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Stems of Phyllostachys vivax.
Pauli-Pirat / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo details
Resized and converted to WebP. No content edits.
Source: File:Bambusweg im Botanischen Garten Hamburg, Loki-Schmidt-Garten, Chinesischer Riesenbambus (7).jpg
Reviewed . Source identification, photograph and license reviewed. The image illustrates the named plant; it does not verify dimensions or other plant traits.
Common names
7 names · 5 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Chinese Timber Bamboo[1]
- Giant Timber Bamboo
- Running giant bamboo
Other languages (4)
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.
Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.
Source records
- Chinese Timber Bamboo — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 357708; Phyllostachys vivax.
- bambù vivace — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 357708; Phyllostachys vivax.
- 乌哺鸡竹 — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 357708; Phyllostachys vivax.
General information
Kew's family placement for the genus Phyllostachys (WCVP v16).
Sources [1]Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade
Uses
Shoots, Stem
Wood
Description
Young shoots can be eaten both raw and cooked, and they have a wonderful flavor with little acidity, even when raw. These shoots have a diameter of 4 to 8 cm and are harvested in the spring when they protrude about 8 cm above the ground. Cut them off about 5 cm below ground level.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
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 1255235; name ID 434395; Phyllostachys vivax McClure.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.
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Catalogue of Life
Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Phyllostachys vivax
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: TaxonomyRelevant sections
- Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2390937, ID 6VFCB: Phyllostachys vivax McClure (accepted).
Source checked on .