Angel Mist Bamboo

Dendrocalamus minor (McClure) Chia & H. L. Fung forma amoenus (Q. H. Dai & C. F. Huang) Ohrnb.

den-dro-CAL-ah-mus MI-nor forma ah-MEHN-us

Poaceae

Explanation of name: From Latin and Greek, dendro, tree, calamos, reed, minor, small, and, amoenus, beautiful or pleasing (FER, STE)

Synonymy: Referring to this plant as Dendrocalmus minor amoenus is inconsistent with the rules of nomenclature. The name amoenus has been applied formally at the varietal level (var. amoenus) and as a cultivar (‘Amoenus’). We follow Ohrnberger’s treatment of this apparently natural and apparently minor variant as a form. It is characterized by having comparatively small stature, and by its olive-yellow culms having green striping.

Natural range: Guangxi, China (OHR). In plains and along watersides (OHR, referring to the species)

Recognition and landscape uses (contributed by Marx Broszio): This recent introduction from China is a fast growing tight clumper. The new canes are covered in a waxy white powdery bloom. Over time the weather will remove some of this, revealing a light olive green cane with darker green random striping. The leaves are a distinctive dark green. This bamboo is an excellent ornamental. Although it has no low branching and thus does not take up much space on the ground, over time this bamboo will create an impressive canopy up to about 25’ tall with culms up to 2” in diameter. Alkaline tolerant (OHR). The soil must be constantly moist (DAV). See further recognition notes under “Synonymy” above.

Notes: The related Dendrocalamus brandisii (Munro) Kurz is a giant species rising to 100’ tall (BR2, ORH).