Pleioblastus amarus — Ku Zhu

Bamboo Key

Each bamboo listing begins with the botanical name, often followed by the cultivar name in single quotes (' '), and one or more common names, synonyms, and former names.

Key Symbols and Abbreviations:

☼ Sunlight – Preferred light exposure: full sun, part sun, or shade
↥ Height – Mature plant height in feet (').
Ø Culm Diameter – Thickness of the bamboo stalks (culms), in inches (").
❄ Cold Tolerance – Temperature (°F) at which leaf damage may begin; rhizomes often tolerate 10–15°F colder.
USDA Zones – Recommended USDA hardiness zones.
Type – Growth habit: C = Clumping bamboo (non-invasive) OR R = Running bamboo (spreads via rhizomes; may require containment)