Phyllostachys dulcis

Other names: "Sweetshoot Bamboo"

Statistics: Height: 30-40+ feet Diameter: 2-3½ inches

The prominent nodes, short broad leaves and handsome form of dulcis give it a character all of its own. The large shoots come up in May and are a cream color with brown freckles. They resemble Vivax shoots so much that it is hard to distinguish between the two species by shoots alone. The shoots are delicious: they have a touch of sweetness to them unlike any other bamboo shoots I have tasted. Dulcis does not have a perfectly vertical habit, but becomes more so with maturity. Even when regularly thinned the canopy of the grove gets very leafy so the new shoots often bend toward the light. It has fat canes which are rather short for their girth. So if you don't want something that towers, this may be the bamboo for you. Its medium-sized leaves flutter nicely in the wind.

The new culms are glossy and waxy.	The new shoots are a rage!	New shoots grow fast and lean towards the sun.
The shoots emerge directly off the underground rhizomes which creep into new territory each year unless maintained. It's quite surprising when big shoots come up in new (but wanted) places!	A stand of dulcis next to steep steps in Portland.	Dulcis growing at Bamboo Valley with squash plants in front. While we water the bamboo our vegetables also get watered.
The textures of the sheath, ligules, auricles and oral setae are vivid up close.	This dulcis has lots of wax on its new culms.	New shoots showing off.