Plant Details

Phyllostachys vivax

Giant Timber Bamboo, Running giant bamboo

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

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Common names

7 names · 5 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Chinese Timber Bamboo[1]
  • Giant Timber Bamboo
  • Running giant bamboo
Other languages (4)
Dutch
  • Reuzenbamboe
French
  • Bambou Géant
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 乌哺鸡竹[1]
Italian
  • bambù vivace[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 vivax — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

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

Scientific name: Phyllostachys vivax
Accepted name (Kew): Phyllostachys vivax McClure 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: Giant Timber Bamboo, Running giant bamboo

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: - m
Growth rate: None
Foliage: Evergreen

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 7-10
Soil moisture:
Moist
Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Partial shade

Uses

Edible parts:
Shoots, Stem
Edibility rating:
(3)
Medicinal rating:
(0)
Functions:
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

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 1255235; name ID 434395; Phyllostachys vivax McClure.

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. 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: Taxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: COL 2026-08-20, NameUsage.tsv line 2390937, ID 6VFCB: Phyllostachys vivax McClure (accepted).

    Source checked on .